For many California Spring Trial visitors, GroLink was either their first or last stop. This location was home to many companies and to breeders and propagators, several suppliers presented their products and services too. In this article, we will present the highlights of the following breeders: ABZ Seeds, Suntory Flowers, Florist Breeding, Vivero International, Schoneveld, Royal Van Zanten and Prudac .
GroLink's headquarters in Oxnard, California. This location includes fifteen acres of greenhouses for producing Chrysanthemum and Dianthus cuttings as well as a state-of-the-art rooting station. They propagate Garden Mums, Cut Chrysanthemums, Pot Chrysanthemums, Dianthus, and Phalaenopsis. From mother stock to cuttings, plugs, trays and ready for retail containers, GroLink ships to growers throughout North America.
Dorien van Engelenburg and Eric Juckers of ABZ Seeds presenting the Summer Breeze Rose. It was introduced last year and is fully available on the market now. It is one of the double rose-like flowered strawberry varieties in their assortment. “It has a deep rose color and a lot of flowers”, explains Juckers. “On top of that, every flower produces a delicious strawberry. It is a real ornamental edible and the demand so far is very good.”
The ornamental strawberry Toscana. According to Juckers, it is the first strawberry plant that has this intense rose flower color. It is a good variety for hanging baskets and has a cascade of flowers and strawberries. ABZ is very proud of Toscana being 1 of the 10 FleuroStar winners.
And of course, the Delizz concept was on display. In 2016 strawberry Delizz was crowned as National Winner at All America Selections (AAS). Delizz is the first ever strawberry variety to receive this prize, due to its outstanding outdoor performance in many climate zones of North America and not in the least its 'Delizzious' taste. The Delizz is presented in a purple Tamara pot and can be sleeved easily with its upward facing flowers and fruitset.
Lorentina McKoy, Masahi Matsumara and Kentaro Suka of Suntory presenting Surfinia Purple Starshine. “It is our first star pattern petunia. On top of that, it is more compact, not as vigorous as the other surfinias in the series and has a good rain and heat tolerance. This year, Surfinia is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Europe. In 2022, they will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sufinia in the US.
Bracteantha Granvia Gold won the Best new bedding and balcony plant award at the IPM Essen 2019 and is pre-introduced from 19-20. According to McKoy, this variety is better resistant to downy mildew and has a larger body and flower.
Sun Parasol Mitebuster Red was released in the USA at the TPIE 2019. This dipladenia has an upright habit and deep red flowers, which are claimed not to fade. It has special leaves that have a fuzzy texture, mites don't like. However, the biggest benefit of this variety is that it has a high leaf spot and mite resistance.
Florist Breeding
Saskia Bakker holding the new Garvinea Garden Gerbera Classic Femmy. It is added to the Classic line of which the flower diameter is about 2-2.5 inc. The Classic Femmy is a new color added to the Garvinea collection. The collection is known for its non-stop flowering from spring to frost. Bees and butterflies seem to love the large flowers.
Sweet Frosting is the second new variety added to the Garvinea Garden Gerbera Sweet collection. In the Sweet line, the flower diameter is about 2.5-3 inch and the Sweet Frosting is characterized by its white flower with black eye.
Patio Gerbera Pinnacles. This new Patio Gerbera has large (palm size) red semi double flowers. "It creates an instant WOW-effect as an individual plant or as several plants in a container. Place them on your doorstep or balcony, to create a great eye catcher", says Bakker.
Dominik Neisser and Oliver Gomez of Vivero International presenting Isotoma Fizz ‘n Pop Glowing Violet of Planthaven. It is a newer generation Isotoma and grows in natural daylight already the beginning of March without additional lightning. According to Neisser, it stays compact and forms a nice flower ball, without shooting. These on display have been grown outdoors in California.
The existing pelargonium Tall Dark & Handsome of Planthaven has been improved. These varieties are more vigorous. Currently, the series consists of 3 colors; Blood Orange, Hot Pink and Coral. With each plant, one can make up to 6 inch towers and is according to Neisser a good opportunity for individual garden centers to make themselves standout.
Grandasiy Red improved of Suntory has stayed in good shape when it was grown outside, says Neisser.
The team of Schoneveld presenting their campanulas. On the left the portenschlagiana type Ambella and on the right the Carpatica type. They are starting up cutting production at Ball Darwin in Colombia, which enables Schoneveld's customers to buy the product with the regular shipments.
Cyclamen Donatello is a new series available in 7 colors. The series is characterized by it silver leaves and is a sister of the Verano series.
For several years, Schoneveld is presenting Sprinkles, a half-height pot Ranunculus, at the CAST. Also this year they were on display. Now, the white variety in the Sprinklers series is more uniform.
Royal Van Zanten 
Nico Laan and Brigitte Verheij-Verkaar of Royal Van Zanten presenting Garden Jewels, alstroemerias for in the garden. They will produce between 200 and 300 flowers all summer and autumn long. Currently, the portfolio holds 4 varieties (yellow, pink, peach and lilac blush). Flowers grow in length up to 3 feet and can therefore be enjoyed outdoors on the plant in the garden or indoors as cut flower. It is a perennial in moderate climates.
Celosia Brainwave Purple is said to be an easy maintenance and long flowering plant. It produces almost velvet colored flowers and is claimed to be very easy to grow. "It can be grown under natural day length conditions, hardly needs any PGR and will finish from stick in about 10 to 12 weeks total crop time", says Nico Laan.
Pot alstroemeria Colorita Katiana was according to Laan one of their most photographed varieties at their booth during the cast. "The variegated leaves with the contrasting red flowers caught they eye of the visitors." The Colorita series currently consists of 8 different color types and 13 different varieties. "All varieties are low maintenance plants, require low temperature input and are very easy to cultivate. On top of that, it will flower continuously until late autumn."
Prudac
Ard Ammerlaan presenting Ponchi Fa, one of the table top varieties presented. 20 plants fit per m2 and from seed, they will be ready to sell in 12 weeks. All varieties in this table top concept are produced in 12 cm pots. The idea behind the concept is a single use product; harvest the product and you can throw it away afterwards. The demand for this product is now starting to develop.
Rocket Peppers F1 Mamba Red an upright-growing pepper plant with mild spicy fruit that changes color, starting from green to red. It can be cultivated along tomatoes and is suitable for 15-18/6”-7.5” pots.
Heartbreaker Vita F1 produces heart shaped cocktail tomatoes. Vita is the traditional upward growing type in the Heartbreakers series. This variety is suitable for both professional growers under high light intensity and home gardeners. The juicy fruit has a tender skin and the perfect sweet/sour balance with a brix of about 8.