Centaurea dealbata
Good Qualities:
Year 1:
Early May/June flowers.
Year 2:
Good local cut flower, vigor!; Productive, though less so than last year.
Problems:
Year 1:
Weak stems; Too short this year, would have many more stems per plant when they get taller; Low yield in 1st year - short stem length in 1st year.
Year 2:
Poor shipper; a bit like a thistle; Short stems, no demand or interest.
Trial Data
Year 1
| Plants alive at end of summer (%) | Plants flowering (%) | Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 93.0 | 70.7 | 7.5 | 13.6 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Year 2
| 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 | 50 | 13.3 | 17.0 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Range of Responses | 0-100 | 7-20 | 10-24 | 1-4 | 4 | 4 | 1-4 | 4 |
(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Grow’n Sell
320 Lower State Rd.
Chalfont, PA 18914
215-822-1276
FAX 215-997-1770
www.gro-n-sell.com
Comments:
Year 1:
Rebloomed a bit, but much shorter stems; Needs 2+ years for good production.
Year 2:
Good landscape plant?