Lobelia erinus in Containers

Transcription

1 Lobelia erinus in Containers Final Trials Report 2011 Trials Office The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB RHS Trial of Lobelia erinus Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 1

2 Introduction to Lobelia erinus Lobelia erinus is a low growing, bushy or trailing perennial which is most often grown as an annual in Britain. It originates from southern Africa and is grown for its long flowering period which stretches from spring into late summer. The material submitted in the trial has been breed with a range of other species. They are traditionally used in hanging baskets and as edging to summer bedding schemes and are useful in creating decorative planting combinations. The trials material produced various habits which varied from loosely cascading to densely upright and the panel found that the looser cultivars were perhaps more useful if a lobelia was wanted to mingle with other plants. Flowers and leaves are petite and can be blue, red, violet, white or purple. Lobelia erinus should be treated as half hardy annuals and prefer moist, but well drained potting mixture and situated in a sunny or semi-shaded position. Objectives The objectives of the trial were: To judge for garden worthiness To assess clonal cultivars and compare with seed raised Judging The Floral Trials Assessment Panel viewed the trial on the following dates in 2011; 31 st May, 14 th & 28 th June, 12 th & 27 th July, 9 th & 23 rd August and 20 th September. The Panel used the following criteria to make their assessment; Flower 60% (floral form and markings 15%, floriferousness and continuity 45%): Habit (including foliage) 40% Entries There were 54 entries in the trial, submitted by breeders, growers and seedsmen in the UK, Europe and Israel. Plants were submitted as plugs, 14 per entry which were planted into baskets and pots, 7 plugs in each. Seven entries were late submissions and so were judged a month behind others. Cultivation The plugs that had arrived by this time were planted into hanging baskets and pots on 14 th March Seven plugs in each container. The potting mixture used was Peat free Supreme compost: A mix of Bark, Coir Loam and Base dressing; supplied by Petersfield Growing Mediums. This had a slow release fertiliser added to it at a rate of 2g per litre of compost. The RHS only use peat free compost. As other entries arrived and reached a similar size, they were potted up in the same way. These containers were stored in a cool polytunnel over the very warm April that occurred in This was to try and reduce excessive growth and flower production. The posts and baskets were taken out to the trials field on 16 th May. Baskets were hung on metal brackets fastened to wooden posts with the matching pot in front. Irrigation lines were connected to each container. Each container was watered 3 times a day; baskets for 10 minutes each time and 30 minutes for the pots. The third watering of the day contained a liquid feed from the 20 th June, with a NPK ratio of 1:1:1 (equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 2

3 Plants were not pruned or deadheaded during the trial. The final seven entries to the trial arrived late and although treated the same remained about a month behind in growth and flowering times. Pest and Disease No problems were encountered. Other Findings The hot, dry spring did not help the establishment of the trial as some entries did suffer from symptoms of drought and a lack of nutrients. The panel members queried the use of peat free compost as being a factor, but some members had previous experience growing Lobelia in peat free compost where plants had not performed as well as in this trial. It was decided that testing composts was not sensible due to regional differences in compost make up even within the same brand. In this trial all plants were grown in the same compost from the same batch and so it was decided that it was differences in the ability of the plants to cope with conditions that was the focal point of the trial, not the growing media. As the objective of the trial was to compare clonal varieties with seed raised, it was found that the clonal varieties were not only more true to type, but generally gave a better performance throughout the trial. (i.e. not all clonal cultivars were better than Sapphire). The seed raised plants were variable; some varieties described a certain colour came up as two colours, plants were not always as robust or vigorous as the clonal entries. Propagation from cuttings proved to enable a wider range of colours and flower markings to be grown and be consistent. Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 3

4 Plants Receiving AGMs during Trial The following are the plants thought to fulfil the Award of Garden Merit criteria during the trial and to be worthy of receiving the award. The criteria which a plant needs to fulfil in order to receive the award are: excellent for ordinary garden use available reasonably resistant to pests and diseases of good constitution essentially stable in form and colour reasonably easy to grow Hardiness ratings are as follows: H3 hardy outside in some regions; needs frost-free protection in winter H4 hardy throughout the British Isles Lobelia erinus (Techno Heat Series) Techno Heat Trailing Light Blue Improved = Lobstrahob PBR [Trial No. 12] Votes 6:2 Flowers April to September Height 30cm; Spread Botanic data to be updated Pretty with white eye, graceful habit, pleasing form. Delicate. Sender: Plants Awarded Award of GM Lobelia erinus (Waterfall Series) Waterfall Blue = Balobwablu [Trial No. 29] Votes 11:2 Leaves: Linear Length 4cm; width 4-5 cm Stem 20 30cm Raceme length 10-20cm; Upper petal Shape: Cuspidate - 8 mm; Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue - 96 A/B Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.5mm above throat Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue - 96 A/B Upright habit. Striking, rich colour. Good since the beginning. Sender: Ball Colegrave Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 4

5 Lobelia erinus (Star Series) Purple Star = Wespurstar PBR [Trial No. 42] Votes 9:3 Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed length 5cm; width 1.5 mm; Colour Dark Olive Green N137A Stem 23 27cm Raceme length 19cm; Upper petal Shape: Cuspidate 8 mm; Colour: Vivid Purple N81A Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.5mm above throat Colour: Vivid Purple N81A No Eye. Amazing colour; narrow, delicate flower. Trailing growth habit. Nice balance with green foliage. Consistent. Sender: Westhoff Vertriebsges mbh The following were Award of Garden Merit (AGM) subject to the naming and availability issuesb being resolved. Lobelia erinus (Waterfall Series) Waterfall Deep Blue with Eye [Trial No. 30] Votes 9:2 Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed Length 6.6cm; width 10mm Colour Yellow / Green N146A Stem 30cm Raceme length 20-25cm; Upper petal Shape: Spatulate - 7 mm; Colour: Strong Purplish blue 95C Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.3cm above throat Colour: Strong Purplish blue 95C Eye colour White NN155B Nice open habit. Even flower distribution. Trails well. Distinctive. Looked good for a long time. Sender: Ball Colegrave Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 5

6 Lobelia erinus (Waterfall Series) Waterfall Light Blue with Eye [Trial No. 31] Votes 9:2 Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed Length 5.2cm; width 10mm Colour Moderate Yellow Green N147B Stem 30cm Raceme length 20cm; Upper petal Shape: Cuspidate - 7 mm; Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue 96B Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.3cm above throat Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue 96B Eye colour White NN155A Good shape. Big white eye. Paler foliage. Sets standard. Has staying power. Easy to associate with other plants. Sender: Ball Colegrave Lobelia erinus (Anabel Series) Anabel Blue Bell [Trial No. 51] Votes 11:2 Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed Length 4cm; width 9 mm Colour Moderate Olive Green 146A Stem 16 30cm Raceme length 6-20cm; Upper petal Shape: Spatulate - 10 mm; Colour: Brilliant Purplish Blue 97A; Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.4mm Colour: Brilliant Purplish Blue 97A fading to 97B; Eye colour White NN155B Good sized flower. Very striking Cambridge blue with white eye. Outstanding in both containers. Sender: The following previously awarded Awards of Garden Merit were not reconfirmed and will be considered during the Sunset Review Lobelia erinus (Regatta Series) Regatta Midnight Blue AGM (H3) 1998 [Trial No. 16] Sender: Ball Colegrave Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 6

7 Trial Index and Senders Details No. Name Sender 1 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna White] = 'Lobwhi' PBR 2 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing White] = 'Lobtrawi' PBR 3 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Denim] = 'Lobden' PBR 4 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Violet] = 'Tec Travio' 5 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Compact Blue with Eye] = 'Lobetis' 6 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Sky Blue] = 'Loboudtis' PBR 7 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Blue] = 'Lob Bule' PBR L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Dark Blue Improved] = 'Loblamoubl' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Blue] = 'Tech Heupbule' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Dark Blue] = 'Tech Hepdab' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing Dark Blue] 'Tech Darbule' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing Light Blue Improved] 'Lobstrahob' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing Violet] 'Tech Hevio' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing White Improved] 'Tech Hewhitt' PBR 15 L. erinus 'Sapphire' Ball Colegrave Ltd 16 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Midnight Blue' AGM (H3) 1998 Ball Colegrave Ltd 17 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Sapphire' Ball Colegrave Ltd 18 L. erinus (Regatta Series) Regatta Marine Blue' Ball Colegrave Ltd 19 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Blue Splash' Ball Colegrave Ltd Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 7

8 No. Name Sender 20 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Sky Blue' Ball Colegrave Ltd 21 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Lilac' Ball Colegrave Ltd 22 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Lilac Splash' Ball Colegrave Ltd 23 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Rose' Ball Colegrave Ltd 24 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta White' Ball Colegrave Ltd 25 L. erinus (Fountain Series) 'Fountain White' Ball Colegrave Ltd 26 L. erinus (Fountain Series) 'Fountain Blue' Ball Colegrave Ltd 27 L. richardsonii Ball Colegrave Ltd 28 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Blue Ice] Ball Colegrave Ltd 29 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Blue] = 'Balobwablu' Ball Colegrave Ltd 30 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Deep Blue with Eye] Ball Colegrave Ltd 31 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Light Blue with Eye] Ball Colegrave Ltd 32 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Azure Mist] = 'Balwatazmi' Ball Colegrave Ltd 33 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Light Lavender] = 'Balwalila' Ball Colegrave Ltd 34 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall White Sparkle] = 'Balobwaspar' Ball Colegrave Ltd 35 L. erinus 'Ocean White' PLA International ApS 36 L. erinus 'Ocean Pink' PLA International ApS 37 L. erinus 'Ocean Sky Blue' PLA International ApS 38 L. erinus 'Ocean Dark Blue' PLA International ApS 39 L. erinus 'Ocean Flash' PLA International ApS 40 L. erinus (Star Series) [Blue Star] = Wesstar' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 8

9 No. Name Sender 41 L. erinus (Star Series) [Super Star] = 'Weslosu' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges 42 L. erinus (Star Series) [Purple Star] = 'Wespurstar' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges 43 L. erinus (Star Sereis) [White Star] = 'Weslowei' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges 44 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot Pretty Heaven] Westhoff Vertriebsges 45 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot Water Blue] = 'Weslowat' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges 46 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot Blue] = 'Wesloblue' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges 47 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot White] = 'Weslowhite' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges 48 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Lavender] 49 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Violet Whiskers] 50 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Blue Hope] 51 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Blue Bell] 52 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Blue] 53 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Azure] 54 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel White] Addresses of Senders Ball Colegrave Ltd, Milton Road, West Adderbury, Banbury, Oxon OX17 3EY, Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, PLA International ApS, Nejedevej 42, 3400 Hilleroed, Denmark, CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5XE Westhoff Vertriebsges mbh, Fresenhorst 22-24, D Sudlohn-Oeding, Germany Source: Horticultural Trials and Relations, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB trials@rhs.org.uk More information about RHS Trials and other colour illustrated reports can be found on the RHS Website: Final Report for Trial No Lobelia erinus in containers 2011 P a g e 9