Linaria 'Lace White'
Trial: Annual
Years Trialed: 2001
Good Qualities:
Excellent color (4); Stiff stems but weak; Excellent heat tolerance, lived all summer in Chicago, once main shoot falls prostrate-all secondary shoots develop; Many stems, lacey effect; Nice filler for bouquets, was well accepted; Clear white flowers that don't discolor always a big plus; Interesting flower and open space; Very productive; Long lasting - best colors of any linaria; It doesn't like heat (zone 6b) and we had plenty of that B We are trying it as a winter crop B Customers loved it as a filler B We just need to grow it a different time of year B No insects or diseases!; Quick germination - 1 day; Cool weather plant, good for extending the cutting season, interesting change from the usual fillers.
Problems:
Too short (3); Stems not substantial (3); Not a cut, flowers and dies quickly (fast crop time); Better as a seasonal annual than as a cut in Chicago; No useable stems; Doesn't bloom long into the season -- died out when we had extreme heat for prolonged period of time, stems were stiff, but thin; Plants needed support for quality stems and like 'Lace Violet', had to be cut very early to avoid blossom drop; Melted in heat; White is boring; White color not rich, nowhere nearly as interesting as the 'Lace Violet'; Too hot this year to get full potential.
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 | 6.2 | 14.3 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 130 |
| Range of Responses | 0-25 | 14-30 | 1 | 1-5 | 1-5 | 1-5 | 2-5 | 36-432 |
(1) 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:
Dislikes hot weather (zone 6b); All the linerias are worth another try; I'm trying it again this year, starting it in the fall, to see if it will produce thicker stems; Too short to cut - but maybe a direct seeded or cold frame cultivation would produce longer stems or an over wintered seeding.