John Dole, Oklahoma State University

Overview

Specialty cut flowers growers are well known for their creativity in growing and marketing cut materials. At the 1993 National Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) conference an incredible diversity of plant materials were being marketed, from traditional cut flowers and berried branches to vegetables. Each grower tries to offer their customers new species or new cultivars of a favorite species. The ASCFG helps growers with the search for new crops by sponsoring the National Cut Flower Trials. For the 1993 Trial, seed was donated by six companies, Clause Seeds, Fred C. Gloeckner & Company, G.S. Grimes, Kieft Bloemzaden, K. Sahin, and Sakata, and sent to thirty four commercial growers and universities from around the country. Thirty seven cultivars were included in the trial. Evaluations were made by the participants, including approximate yield, length, ease of cultivation, market appeal and likelihood of growing the cultivar again. Twenty two evaluations were returned by the participants.

Two wheat celosia cultivars were well received, ‘Flamingo Purple’ (Keift) and ‘Tassles Deep Rose’ (Gloeckner). Both were quite similar with their rose-purple flower spikes and burgundy foliage. These vigorous plants grew 3-5 ft. tall and produced up to 9 stems/plant. Wheat celosias do best in warm southern or western areas as they flower late or not at all in cooler areas. Transplants well and should be spaced on 1 to 1.5-ft. centers.

With true blue flowers a rare sight, notable were the four delphinium cultivars in various shades of blue: ‘Audace Varie’ (Clause) and ‘Eastern Blues’, ‘Qis Light Blue’ and ‘Blue Shadow’ (Kieft). ‘Blue Shadow’ was ranked the highest of the group and noted by two participants as the best new cultivar of the year. ‘Qis Light Blue’ was picked out as a nice dried flower. Yield for all of the cultivars was 4-8 stems/plant. For best performance, plant in fall or very early spring. This group prefers cooler temperatures and can be spaced fairly tight, ie. 6-in. centers.

Another common entrant in the trial was cosmos with six submissions by three companies. Four of the cultivars were pink; two with a rose ring around the eye: ‘Qis Rose’ (Kieft) and ‘Tickle Pink’ (Grimes) and two with solid pink petals: ‘Versailles Pink’ and ‘Versailles Blush Pink’ (Sakata). The cultivars ‘Qis Red’ (Kieft) and ‘Qis White’ rounded out the color spectrum. All the cultivars were prolific, averaging 14-22 stems/plant, with 1.5 to 2 ft. stems and well received. Of the six cultivars, the ‘Qis’ series was ranked the highest and ‘Versailles Pink’ the next highest. Compared to ‘Sensation’ cosmos, all of the newer cultivars tended to have weaker stems. Many respondents loved the color of ‘Qis Red’. Many people also liked the soft pink colors of the ‘Versailles’ cultivars, while others thought the petals looked faded, especially on ‘Versailles Blush Pink’. In general, cosmos tend to have a relatively short postharvest life, making them better suited to local sales. The vase life is about 6 days and most cultivars tolerate one to two days of shipping or storage. Cosmos can be spaced on 1-ft centers, but a wider spacing may reduce possible disease problems.

In contrast to last year, only one sunflower, ‘Sunbeam’ (Sakata) was included. It was vigorous and uniform with strong stems up to 5 feet long. Postharvest was reportedly good. As with most of the sunflowers, only one flower is harvested per plant; plantings can be made every two weeks for season-long flowering. Spacing can vary from 6-in. to 1-ft. centers.

Both aster cultivars, ‘Matsumoto Scarlet’ (Sakata) and ‘Kurenai Dark Violet Purple’ (Gloeckner) were well liked by customers and growers who have had experience growing asters for their strong colors and excellent postharvest qualities. Unfortunately, some areas of the country were not favorable for asters with numerous reports of aster yellow mycoplasma, foliar rusts, leafhoppers and aphids. Asters can be grown at 6-in. to 1-ft. centers.

Cultivars

• • • Amaranthus
      • Red Cathedral Superior
    • Aster

• Kurenai Dark Violet Purple
• Matsumoto Scarlet
• Celosia
  • Flamingo Purple
  • Tassles Deep Rose
• Centauridium
  • Flower Power
• Cirsium
  • White Beauty
• Coreopsis
  • Gold Crown
• Cosmos
  • QIS Red
  • QIS Rose
  • QIS White
  • Tickle Pink
  • Versailles Blush Pink
  • Versailles Pink
• Delphinium
  • Audace Varie
  • Blue Shadow
  • Eastern Blues
  • QIS Light Blue
• Dianthus (Sweet William)
  • Electon Varie
  • Messanger Blanc
  • Messanger Escarlate
  • Messanger Rouge et Blanc
  • Messanger Rouge Fonce
  • Messanger Teintes Saumon
  • Messanger Varie
• Didiscus
  • Pink Puffs
• Eryngium
  • Tetra Petra
• Eustoma (Lisianthus)
  • Flamenco Mix
  • Heidi Cherry Blossom
• Helianthus (Sunflower)
  • Sunbeam
• Limonium (Statice)
  • Blue Waves Mixed
  • Forever Gold
  • Forever Silver
• Papaver
  • Red Sails
• Stipa
  • Angel’s Hair
• Viscaria
  • Cherry Blossom

Participating Seed Companies – Annual Trials, 1993