California is finally enjoying some sun and good temperatures. Cold, rainy and cloudy weather delayed spring by about a month, it has been said. So, for many in the industry, it hasn’t been a good first quarter, but hopes for the second are very high. At the California Spring Trials (CAST), which are being held this week, the weather and particularly the effects of the weather on the crop and sales is a hot topic.
Normal winter
“Everyone is disappointed by the weather, but we actually had a normal winter. Over the last 4 years, California was in drought, and sales could start earlier. As a result, this 'normal' weather pattern was disappointing growers and retailers”, says one of the participants at the CAST.
Not only for the CAST but in general, growers were struggling to let their crop flower on time. And even if they were flowering, selling them at retail wasn't easy either. “When it is rainy, cold and dark, people are not thinking about gardening, and therefore, there was no need to visit a garden center. I’ve heard that some garden centers even had to throw away plants as there was no demand. Others even decided to postpone their date of opening”, says another participant of the CAST.
Fortunately, the weather seems to have improved. “Last weekend was the first sunny weekend with good temperatures. Finally, everyone is getting in the spring mood. And particularly after the rain, gardening is on everyone's mind now."
FloralDaily
The California Spring Trials will last (for most locations) till March 27, and the FloralDaily team is also at the event and will make a full photo report of the show. They are traveling from South to North, spotting the highlights of each participating company. The full photo report will be published on Monday, April 1, but below already some first shots from the central region. More information on the products will be given in the photo report.
Andreas Kientzler of Kientzler presenting Vanilla Berry in the new Nemesia series Fairy Kisses
Lindsay Pangborn of Dümmen Orange presenting the first color (Hot Pink) in their New Guinea Rollercoaster series
Sirekit Mol of Beekenkamp presenting Dahlia Labella Medio Fun Golden Eye, one of their popular varieties, in front of the new Labella Dahlia design
Mike Huggett of American Takii presenting new hybrid Digitalis Pink Panther
