Consolida 'Chorus Violet'
Trial: Annual
Year Trialed: 2004
Year of Trial: First (from 2004 report)
Good Qualities:
Nice color (3); Different from other larkspurs, florists liked the open airy appearance, interesting dried flower; New growth form, terminal floret opens first, then terminals on branches, a good filler in vase; 'Chorus Violet' was much different than any other larkspur I've grown, but sparse flowers, uncertain about postharvest, didn't seem to hold up as good as other larkspurs, and buds didn't open.
Problems:
Many stems were not spray type; No problems, very similar to other larkspurs in cultural habits; Not sure when to harvest or how many florets should be open for best vase life; It is just too sparse, 1 flower on top not great; Low germination rate.
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 (1) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (1) | Average Spacing (in2) | Average Postharvest Life (days) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 3.5 | 27.3 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 31 | 10.5 |
| Range of Responses | 1-10 | 20-36 | 1 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 1-5 | 2-5 | 25-36 | 10-11 |
(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
(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
American Takii
301 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
Comments:
I failed to realize that a spray larkspur should be pinched, so I got tall stems with a single flower, still sounds like a great cut, I look forward to trying it again; Most likely we will grow this one next year; Postharvest time trials are needed.