Bayerische Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau Experiments and Projects Department of horticulture - Subdivision floriculture Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau Abteilung Gartenbau Sachgebiet Zierpflanzenbau - An der Steige 15 97209 Veitshöchheim Tel.: 0931/9801-0 Fax: 0931/9801-100 www.lwg.bayern.de 1
G 1780 Spring flowering plants with different genus and varieties in convenience pots with different sizes Prices for typical spring flowering plants like Viola, Bellis and Myosotis are often unsatisfactory in spring. Upgrading these familiar lines with more rare spring flowering herbaceous plants might help working against price decline in retail nurseries. Pots planted with colourful plants and even bigger pots might be an option for upgrading products and thus inspiring spontaneous purchases as well. Suitable combinations of typical spring flowering plants and rare spring flowering herbaceous plants attractive in colour combination, growth and blooming period have to be found. Plants should be suitable for 12 cm to 27 cm pots. G 001/2012 Joint test of the bedding plant research group: Test of Argyanthemum Frutescens- varieties in the rose/pink colour range There s a lot of progress in vegetative propagation with Argyranthemum Frutescens varieties. Varieties available range from plants with different plant sizes, plant structure and blossoms. Varieties also differ in production requirements and usage. Due to high dynamics in cultivars it proves to be very difficult for nurseries to find the most suitable varieties for the specific production process and the chosen marketing strategies. In a joint test of the nationwide bedding plant research team new varieties are analyzed and evaluated in an open field trial during summer months not only concerning cultivation process but also concerning overall impression, flowering quality, health and weather resistance. Based on these analysis and results it is possible to develop recommendations for the product line, production method and marketing strategies. 2
G 002/2012 Joint test of bedding plant research group: Test of Calibrachoa- varieties with special flowers and colours The assortment shows high quality breeding progress. There are varieties with different plant sizes, different plant structure, different blossoms and usage on sale. What s more the variety proves to be demanding for the growers concerning texture and health. Due to high dynamics in cultivars it is very difficult for nurseries to find the most suitable varieties for their specific production process and the chosen marketing strategies. In a joint test of the nationwide bedding plant research team new varieties with extraordinary blossoms are analyzed in an open field trial during summer months not only concerning cultivation process but also concerning overall impression, bloom quality and weather resistance. Based on this analysis and results recommendations can be given for product line, production and marketing strategies. G 003/2012 Trial with bedding plant- novelties 2012 The Bavarian Institute for Horticulture and Viticulture and the Bavarian consultants for Floriculture intend to publish a list with the best bedding plant novelties tested at the Bavarian Institute for Horticulture and Viticulture. We recommend Bavarian nurseries to market them with special campaigns and different other marketing strategies, as this selection meets customers expectations and wishes for florescence, health and something outstanding. We compare bedding plant novelties with similar, established varieties concerning production and open air habit and work out recommendations for new bedding plant varieties for direct and indirect retail nurseries. 3
G 004/2012 Tests with recommended Chrysanthemums for gardens For growers of Chrysanthemums it makes sense to order all varieties from one breeder. That means all varieties for one special sales deadline will normally have the desired colour range from white, yellow, pink, purple, red and bronze. They should all blossom at the same date, provide the same quality and hemispheric shape. As breeders usually provide a vast range of different plants it is not easy to find a suitable assortment as described above. Recommendations should be made for assortment combinations from different suppliers for fixed distribution weeks covering all main colour ranges. Furthermore we intend to show the effects of cultivars grown in a convertible greenhouse. G005/2012 Combined pots of Chrysanthemums for gardens 2012 Chrysanthemum pots with multi- coloured combinations (convenience pots) mostly realize significantly higher prices than pots with single- coloured plants. Meanwhile most breeding companies offer combinations with own varieties. In 2011 these 19 cm convenience pots were tested at the Bavarian Institute for Horticulture and Viticulture. The tests revealed that many combinations only bloomed in October, but provided attractive colours. By shading greenhouses from mid-july onwards we want to reach blooming in September. There are tests to find out if this materializes also with plants in 13 cm pots. We will also monitor staining with greenhouse cultivars. Recommendations for production processes and ideal combinations of Chrysanthemums in convenience pots shall be made available. 4
G 006/2012 Fitness for use of Euphorbia Pulcherrima as cut flowers Retail nurseries can stand out from other nurseries with cut flowers from in-house production. There are tests of fast growing varieties of Euphorbia Pulcherrima and Princettia that can be cultivated together with Poinsettias in pots. Further test criteria are acceptance with florists and vase-life. Finding varieties suitable as cut flowers and working out recommendations for cultivation. G 007/2012 With numerous new varieties and cultivars appearing on the market every year retail nurseries definitely need help which varieties stand the test in production but also in sales with customers. The trial compares novelties with established varieties after planting in terms of cultivation time, necessary pot size, overall view and hardiness. Testing new varieties for autumn (flowering plants, grasses and decorative foliage plants). G008/2012 Herbacious plants are often grown on open field areas. During longer rainy periods plants consume fertilizers but there s hardly any additional liquid fertilizer application. Storage feeding during potting could supply plants partly or totally with the required nutrients. When using casting cars and also with light soils entry of nutrients into the subsoil causes problems with liquid fertilizer application. Thus using storage-fertilizers can contribute to environmentally-friendly and sustainable production methods. 5
Recommendations for regular feedings of herbaceous plants are to be developed. G009/2012 Convenience-pots have attracted customers interest already with bedding plants and with the spring assortment. In the context of sustainable production there are tests with bio-degradable pots. For the distribution deadline lasting from mid- September to the end of September plants are potted in July. After establishing in greenhouses pots are then cultivated in open land at the end of July. G010/2012 Retail nurseries can stand out from other nurseries with in-house grown cut foliage. By growing them by batches we want to find out the earliest and latest possible sowing period for producing good quality plants. Plants are cultivated on benches in 9,5cm pots. Development of culture recommendations. G 011/2012 White Poinsettia cultivars- cultivar evaluation trial 2012 Background: White varieties prove to be an important supplement in the Poinsettia colour range. Trials revealed different colorations of white due to different cultivation temperatures or temperature strategies. 6
These colorations sometimes prove to be adverse for the variety. There are also trials to find out the impact of short day treatment under shading and the higher temperatures involved. Development of instructions for ideal temperatures for specific cultivars. G 012/2012 Suitability of miniature Poinsettia cultivars Miniature Poinsettias in 6 cm pots are an interesting and profitable supplement in the Poinsettia range. Seedling companies offer many varieties as suitable for miniature cultivars, but you can assume that not all varieties are equally suitable for this extreme cultivation method. To get plants with constantly good quality short day treatment might be necessary. Development of recommendations and cultivation instructions for Poinsettia cultivars suitable for production of miniatures. G 013/2012 Euphorbia Pulcherrima is a prime cultivar for production and sales. Several breeders constantly launch lots of totally new varieties and improvements of established varieties. For growers it proves to be very difficult to keep an overview not only of the established red varieties but also of varieties with outstanding colours and leaves. Development of recommendations for new Poinsettia varieties suitable for cultivation. 7
G 014/2012 Trial with double Primula Vulgaris at different potting phases. Sales of extraordinary varieties of Primula Vulgaris would be an option to get reasonable prices despite the excess supply of spring flowering plants. Apart from numerous varieties with double blooms there is a wide range of varieties with single blooms and different texture and look on offer. There are enormous differences in for seedlings from meristem propagation and seed varieties. Development of recommendations for Primula Vulgaris varieties with double blooms suitable for production in frost-free greenhouses. G 015/2012 Influence of different fertilizing methods on crop yield and quality of Ranunculus Asiaticus for use as cut flowers Retail nurseries are able to cultivate cut- Ranuncula in pots on benches for home requirements. During seasons with light deficiency supply with nutrients proves to be difficult. Lack of calcium leads to weak stems and twisting of stems after harvesting. There are trials with two different fertilizing methods one with and the other without calcium nitrate application. Development of feeding recommendations for cut- Ranunculus Asiaticus. G 016/2012 Gardeners and interior landscapers shall be provided with an overview of the current assortment of foliage- and blooming plants available for interior landscaping. During the first year we will focus on 8
Anthuria and Dracaena. Cultivation needs in terms of cultivation length, temperature, light etc. as well as development in customers homes (growth habit, blooming) will be tested and evaluated. Presentation and evaluation of cultivars for retail nurseries and for interior landscaping. G 017/2012 The sales period March-April proves to be too early for bedding plants and often too late for the favourite spring flowering plants. We want to test cultivars and varieties suitable for this period of time. We plan trials with Aubretia, Papaver Nudicaule, Primula Auricular, Erysimum, Pericallis, Torelius and Aquilegia. Development of cultivar-and variety recommendations for spring flowering plants for the March- April sales period. G 018/2012 There s a wide range of miniature Viola available. Varieties show different growth habits from compact upright to bushy. For product differentiation varieties with compact and high growth are recommended for hanging baskets. There will be trials on suitability for use in hanging baskets. Finding out suitability of Viola- cultivars for use in hanging baskets. 9
G 019/2012 Hydrangea, growth inhibition treatment Approved growth inhibitors often don t show any sufficient effects when applied according to application instructions. Effects and tolerance of more recent growth inhibitors will be tested on red and pink blooming varieties. Finding a practicable growth inhibition treatment for red and pink blooming hydrangeas. G 020/2012 Growth inhibition with Pericallis Pericallis are attractive noble spring flowering pot plants for cool cultivation. Apart from the familiar Senetti varieties from Kientzler there are three colours by Todaisy von Dümmen on offer. Due to their fluffy growth habit Pericallis mostly need growth inhibition treatment. The so far effective product Topflor has been replaced by Dazide Enhance with active agents of the formerly familiar Alar. There s little experience available also with other products. Finding a practicable growth inhibition treatment for Pericallis. G 21/2012 Bedding plant trials 2012: Cool cultivation In the context of sustainable production methods or production of organic decorative plants we try to find decorative plants for cultivation methods without any application of chemical growth inhibitors for growth regulation. In Southern Germany there s a strong demand for fast growing bedding plants which belong to the assortment meant to shape a retailer s profile. However, without any growth inhibition these varieties tend to be problematic not only in production but also in marketing. 10
Trials on assortment and cultivars are supposed to reveal if cool cultivation methods can reduce application of growth inhibitors or avoid them at all with specific varieties. Selected cultivars will be compared with established cultivars (beginning of cultivation in week 11). At the same time costeffectiveness of the cultivation will be calculated. 11