2021 California Summer Trials (CAST) will take place from June 23 through June 27 this year. Throughout California, 25 breeders will showcase their varieties on 8 locations. As the trials are an outdoor event, so with plenty of space for social distancing, breeders, growers and brokers will have the possibility to safely conduct business again. And to control the size, appointments are required.
Companies participating.
So what will be on display? In the coming weeks, we will publish articles in which we will highlight several varieties, series and/or concepts of the participants attending the event. Below, already some from PlantHaven, Westhoff, and Dümmen Orange.
PlantHaven
PlantHaven will have their showcase a new location this year, at Armstrong Growers in Santa Paula (14545 West Telegraph Road, CA 93060). On display, they will have several new introductions from their global plant breeder community, below a Sneak Peak.
- Hedera ‘Tropical Blizzard’
One of the highlights at PlantHaven is Hedera canariensis ‘Tropical Blizzard‘. "It is a stunning new large-leaved, Algerian Ivy. Unique highly variegated leaves, gold to pure white marbling and flecking with shades of green in between. Bright pink-red stems add an additional pop of color. Excellent for house plants, hanging/seasonal baskets, and ground cover in warmer climates. This evergreen climber is happy in sun to full shade and in any soil that is not waterlogged."
Mystic Wizard Dahlia
Another variety is Mystic Wizard Dahlia, a Dahlia variabilis that features rich, magenta jewel-tone flowers on glossy mahogany-black foliage. "‘Mystic Wizard’ is great for pollinators and has outstanding retail appeal."
‘Real Goldcup’ Realflor Leucanthemum
Among the many highlights at PlantHaven, Leucanthemum superbum Realflor® ‘Real Goldcup’ is another one. "It has bright sunshine yellow flowers, blooms are colorfast with no color phasing, flowers have bold golden yellow centers carried on very strong stems. This variety is very floriferous with improved disease resistance. It prefers well-drained soil in the sunny border. Deadhead to encourage continuous bloom."
Westhoff
Westhoff will present their highlights at Greenfuse Botanicals in Santa Paula (15245 W. Telegraph Rd.,CA 93060). Among the different novelties and highlights, these new petunias, presented in the video below, will be on display.
"The new Petunias from Westhoff include additions to our Big Deal and Bingo (Perfectunia) series, but most are in the Best selling Crazytunia series, known for eccentric patterns and wild colors, the Crazytunia series is far from regular. After all, in a world full of regular Petunias, why not get a little Crazy? Also, don't miss the new additions to the Hells series. these plants are unique in the intense, nearly florescent, shades or orange and red." Click here to see all their petunia varieties.
Dümmen Orange
In San Luis Obispo (6464 Ana Bay Road, CA 93405), Dümmen Orange will present their novelties, concepts and programs. Their La Diva Lavender program is in of their new ones on display.
"The La Diva concept conveniently provides a one-stop solution for any grower’s or retailer’s lavender needs. Dümmen’s early season flowering lavender is the result of new genetics. This program is beneficial in a number of ways including programmability, which allows growers the ability to cut their lavender growing schedule. Plus, La Diva creates a high-end lavender series that is available to purchase throughout the year." See the video above to learn more about the concept.
All 2021 CAST site gatherings will be by appointment only and will only take place if allowed by local ordinances. Appointments are required to control the size according to local COVID-19 safety measures in effect. Walk-ins are strongly discouraged. Please know that any CAST attendee who arrives without an appointment may be asked to wait if the designated group size is at maximum capacity. Set dates for the CAST event will be June 23 to June 27 though some breeders may extend dates for private appointments on either end. Information on each location’s exact open dates are available on the website.
Guests who plan to attend the 2021 California Summer Trials need to make their reservations with each site individually. Event contact information including site details may be found at www.2021CAST.com.