Trial: Annual

Years Trialed: 1997

Good Qualities

Great color (5), but it is actually purple (4); It was easy to grow. Some of my customers liked it but most preferred the blue variety; Fair germination-- 91 out of 128 cell germinated; Nice dried; Heavy yield.

Problems

Weak stems (6); Short stems (2); Low production; Stems broke easily. Color really wasn't red-more magenta or purple. If this cultivar could be improved to have long, strong stems like the blue, it would be useful; Very few positive comments; Difficulty acclimatizing to field. Doesn't like moist to wet conditions, (due to extra rainfall) wiped out by powdery mildew in field, those stems harvestable were good, but overall the plant never really thrived; Flowers go over the hill before enough open on each stem. (Flowers on a single stem do not mature at the same time). No real cutting stems available; Heads not as full as blue horizon; Poor market reception;

Comments

If purple became a more popular color, I'd grow this one again; I think this would have had a higher success rate if it had drier conditions than ours were. Color was interesting; Will dry very well if harvested in closed bud stage; The color was unique, but the only real reason we grow ageratum at all is the blue color.

Trial Data

¹1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.

Supplier

Kieft Seeds P.O. Box 618 Conway, WA 98238