Reducing the use of plant growth regulators (PGR) is something the market is more and more looking for. Therefore, it is becoming an increasingly important characteristic to consider when breeding and introducing new varieties - also at Queen Genetics. At this Danish breeding company, they strive to breed and select more naturally compact plants without losing their aesthetic values. They are proud to announce that they have created an assortment covering double-flowered kalanchoe varieties grown without any use of PGR. They added this assortment to the existing Queen® RoseFlowers range.
In the video above, Finn Hansen, Kalanchoe & Global Cultivation Advisor at Queen Genetics, tells more about the characteristics of the plants. When looking at new varieties, the select varieties with smaller leaves, lots of flowers and excellent shelf life, he explains. "The new double-flowered varieties are all grown with 3 weeks long day, and they will flower after 10-12 weeks short day.”
Shelf life
Queen is specialized in breeding ethylene tolerant kalanchoes, enabling the company to guarantee long shelf life. "We try to select varieties that have a long shelf life, which means they can stand at least 6 weeks after being bought in the supermarket or any other store. On top of that, we are carefully selecting varieties that are getting old in a beautiful way."
Demand for less use of PGR
Reducing the use of PGR is important because more consumers, supermarkets and customers who are selling plants are looking for plants that are not sprayed with chemicals. "As a company, we also try to avoid the use of chemicals because it is not good for anybody."
No PGR needed for these new varieties
The RoseFlowers assortment consists of 24 varieties, double-flowered Kalanchoes, in 7 color groups; orange, red, purple, soft pink, pink, yellow and white. Now, Queen Genetics is very pleased to announce that they have added a variety to 6 out of 7 color groups that can be grown without PGR. The varieties that can be grown without the use of PGR are: Daphne, Noelle, Ea, Anaïs, Elyse and Ruth.
For more information:
Queen Genetics
Email: youngplants@queen.dk
Knud Jepsen
Skanderborgvej 193
DK-8382 Hinnerup
www.queengenetics.dk