Callistephus 'Gala Mix'
Trial: Annual
Years Trialed: 2001
Good Qualities:
Colors (3); Pincushion type; Very strong stems and big flowers. Good timing - they were just flowering (early Sept.) when most other crops were dwindling; Medium size flower, central disk blending in color (not contrasting, nor distracting); Strong stems, large full flowers; I thought that they were a little more tolerant of our growing conditions than many other asters.
Problems:
Stem little weak; Standard bouquet type variety, short-lived in our gardens (Illinois), gets Aster yellow easily; Bloomed mostly within 3 week period even though successive plantings were made; Disease, melted out in summer heat; Foliage Aburned@, short stems, few stems harvested.
Trial Data
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | Average Spacing (in2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 3.1 | 18.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.9 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 176 |
| Range of Responses | 0-8 | 8-25 | 2 | 2 | 2-5 | 1-5 | 1-5 | 36-336 |
(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Benary Seed
1444 Larson St.
Sycamore, IL 60178
Comments:
Another excellent Aster; Not as bushy as other asters, very nice color range; Similar to other asters; The best of generally poor performing plants (asters).