Click here for the extensive Photo Report of the California Spring Trials that we have published earlier this month.
Westhoff
Chris Berg (on the right) showing the Shine Bright Begonia of Westhoff to Andrew Lee of Gloeckner. This variety won the independent breeding trial in Germany, as well as at Mast Young Plants in Michigan and is, according to Berg, by far the best branched boliviensis begonia. Another characteristic of this variety is that the flower looks at you instead of downwards.
On the left FloriGlory Diana. Berg explains that it has 5 times the flower power of traditional varieties. The series, consisting of 4 colors, was introduced last year and is a AAS winner. Crazytunia Cosmic Purple is a new color in the Crazytunia series, a series that is known for its large and 'fun and funky' flower patterns. According to Berg, the newer varieties offer more grower predictability in habit and flower timing. Click here for the enlarged picture.
Elsner PAC
Chris Berg with the Two-in-One interspecific geranium of Elsner PAC. Next to Westhoff, Berg also represents PAC. This Two-in-One was introduced about two years ago and is one of Berg's favourites. “It is one of the most heat tolerant interspecific geraniums, it flowers long, has a spreading habit and brilliant color.
On the left: New guinea impatiens Impacio. It is a new series for the US that was already introduced in Europe last year. This series, consisting of 17 varieties is bred for cool production. It can be produced in lower temperatures, but will still have the same schedule as normal new genuineas. So, it can be produced with other low energy crops like calibrachoa and lobelia. On the right, a new introduction of Elsner PAC; Pinkerbell. This geranium does not need any cooling and flowers all summer long. It is said to be the most heat tolerant regal geranium. Click here for the enlarged picture.
Beekenkamp
Sirekit Mol of Beekenkamp presenting Dreams; their begonia concept that helps to position this diverse product with a clear message. The concept simplifies the assortment for the retailer and the consumer as it divides it into 4 categories; indoor, garden, waterfall and perfume.
On the left Petunia Tea. Beekenkamp is going into petunias and introduced this series for the first time at CAST. The varieties in the series have a mounded habit and many flowers. Currently, the series consists of 10 varieties, but more will follow. On the right: Poinsettia Superstar. Beekenkamp is still growing on the poinsettia industry and was showcasing their different varieties at the CAST. Every variety is for a certain occasion; the Astro and Aries for example are for the Black Friday market, Leona for the period after Black Friday and Hera is a variety for the last-minute segment like charities. Click here for the enlarged picture.
Plug Connection
Jon-Paul Williams of Plug Connection presenting Hamelia Lime Sizzler. This heat loving tropical shrub is very suitable for the southern part of the US, but can also grow as a summer annual in the Northern climates.
On the left: Ping Lim of Altman Plants presenting his True Blooms collection at Plug Connection. It is a new rose breeding program of Altman Plants. Lim is the breeder. The flowers are more a hybrid T type and the habit of the plant is more as that of a shrub. It is disease resistant and all roses are grown on their own rod (not grafted). The line currently consists of 6 colors and some of them are fragrant. On the right Pixie grapes. Click here for the enlarged picture.
Sakata
Alicia Troy of Sakata presenting the new Senator IQ series. It is an improved series that consist of 6 colors. Among others, the varieties in the series have bigger flowers.
On the left: Four new colors in the SunPatiens family. The SunPatiens have thicker petals, tough foliage, are less prone to disease, and their strong sturdy stems tolerate high heat and humidity, rain and adverse weather conditions. On the right: five new colors added to the Supercal series. Supercal is an interspecific cross between petunia and calibrachoa and according to Troy, Sakata is the only one who is doing it and it is said to have the best of both worlds, like larger flowers, better heat and rain tolerance. The five novelties are new and different from original colors. "It is like the next generation." Click here for the enlarged picture.
Dummen Orange
Lindsay Pangborn presenting the new Iconia Portofino. It is a new begonia series with big flowers and a semi upright habit. The series consists of 7 colors under the brand name I'Conia. The flowers are placed on top on the flower and hold on very well during shipping. Pangborn is holding the orange colored variety, one of the varieties that caught the eye of the visitors due to the contrast of the flower and the leaves.
Next to showing new varieties, Dümmen Orange was also showing new technologies and solutions. On the left, Basewell. This is a new rooting technology that utilizes an off-shore propagation process to deliver high quality bare-root cuttings directly to the grower. The bare-root cuttings feature advanced root development and no growing media. This allows to ship Basewell products to growers from off-shore production locations, ready to transplant directly into the finish container. On the right, Garden Party. In the Garden Party, they now introduced four fixed combinations of four varieties. “We know that these varieties grow well together.” In the Garden Party, they offer suggestions only. So, when ordering this combination, the grower will receive a box with four trays with the varieties. They only have to put them together in a container. Click here for the enlarged picture.
Click here for the extensive Photo Report of the California Spring Trials that we have published earlier this month.