What to expect at the California Spring Trials 2019? In the coming weeks FloralDaily.com will highlight one product from each participating company in a series of five articles. In this edition, we'll reveal the top products from companies: Sakata Seed America, Westhoff, HilverdaKooij, Nir Nursery, Planthaven and Plant Source International.
The California Spring Trials is a week-long event held at various locations throughout California, from March 23-27. Breeders, growers and suppliers will showcase their newest varieties and products.
Is your company also participating in the California Spring Trials and would you like to put one of your products in the spotlight? Feel free to send us an email.
Sakata Seed America - Viking XL Red on Chocolate
The Viking and Viking XL begonia series is shaping up to be a smash success. This all-weather begonia series features a total of twelve colors, two sizes and three leaf colors: green, bronze and chocolate. In fact, no other series in this class offers a chocolate leaf. This year, the jumbo chocolate leaves and vibrant, fast-growing color of Viking XL Red on Chocolate wowed AAS judges making it a 2019 AAS Winner. (Visit Sakata Seed America to see more novelties at 103 Boronda Road, Salinas, CA 93907. Click here to email the company for more information)
Westhoff - Didelta FanciFiller™ Silver Strand
“A new genus for the industry, Silver Strand has velvet smooth, silver leaves and a upright, mounding habit that let it mix well in any combination. It has the look of a succulent, but with a much faster growing time, easily fitting into any production scheme.” (Visit Westhoff to see more novelties at Green Fuse Botanicals, 15245 Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Click here to email the company for more information)
HilverdaKooij - Echinacea MOOODZ
One of the highlights at Hilverdakooij is the Echinacea MOOODZ. MOOODZ is different because growing it involves a different cultivation method (without vernalisation), which produces beautiful, full plants within a short time period (12-13 weeks) and no losses. Unlike many other Echinacea varieties, MOOODZ is propagated by means of tissue culture. The result is a beautiful full plant with many side shoots. It is a plant that attracts many butterflies and bees. Echinacea flowers in full sun and from July till September and is winter hardy. (Visit Hilverdakooij to see more novelties at American Takii, 301 Natividad Road Salinas, CA 93906. Click here to email the company for more information.)
Nir Nursery - Jupiter
"Jupiter" is a new line of wax flower, very different than the regular waxes, it has a wide terminal flowering that gives "volume" of flowers on top of it as you can see from the pictures attached. The "Jupiter" line is suitable for amazing pot plants and cut flowers. From this season on we can provide the "Jupiter" line in all 3 colors and throughout the flowering season. (Visit Nir Nurseries to see more novelties at Suncrest Nurseries, 400 Casserly Road, Watsonville, CA 95076. Click here to email the company for more information.)
Planthaven - Pelargonium Blood Orange
One of the novelties of Planthaven is the Pelargonium Blood Orange. It has a narrow upright columnar habit, dark glossy black and green foliage and large deep orange flowers on the entire stem, not just the terminal shoots. It blooms late spring-summer and is estimated USDA zone 9. This year, Planthaven won't be exhibiting as their plants are perennials and woodies and these products would not be ready so early. However, their licensees are showing a few of their annuals at Vivero North America Corp, who are exhibiting at their usual space at Grolink (Grolink is located at 4107 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA 93036.) Click here to email the company.
Plant Source International
Plant Source International (PSI) grow other breeders’ genetics and supplies unrooted cuttings to the North American market and have production sites in Mexico and in the U.S. This year, they will add the Suntory breeder line to their list. (Visit Plant Source International at Speedling, 2640 San Juan Highway, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045. Click here to email the company for more information.)
It is important to note that the closing date may vary from the official dates at some locations (click here to see the entire list of locations). Most locations are open 8 am - 5 pm, but if you are interested in visiting any of the locations, it is recommended (and sometimes required) that you make a reservation.One can register on www.springtrialsregistration.com.
There is no fee to participate, but the trials are not open to the general public (only for businesses and their employees associated with the horticulture industry) and transportation and logistics are the responsibility of the attendee.