Dianthus 'Radiant Purple Eye'

Trial Started: 2005
Year of Trial: First (from 2005 report)


Dianthus 'Radiant Purple Eye'

Good Qualities

Nice intense color (6); Number of stems; Very fat stem; Great blooms; Fast.

Problems

Too short (5); Few were harvested; Not have been a standout; Stems a bit floppy; Lost approximately 25% to a crown rot, plants not vigorous; Color not as intense as other dianthus; Not really distinctive enough, just kind of an also ran except for the quick production time; Plants were short lived after transplant; In general the Radiant series was not as good in the field as the Sweet series - the flowers were smaller and not as well filled, the plants had a less healthy appearance, it shows no frost tolerance.

Comments

Heavy rain did not affect plants or blooms; Harvest interval 6/27-7/11; High tunnel crop, transplanted late resulted in short stems; Seeds were planted in 98 (cell) trays and covered lightly with vermiculite, grew slower in cells than 'Amazon' - 10 weeks for 'Radiant' and 7 weeks for 'Amazon' planted at the same time; Short stemmed and short lived; 'Amazon Neon Duo' performed much better.


Trial Data

Dianthus 'Radiant Purple'
Yield (stems/plant) Stem Length (inches) Market Appreciation Rating¹ Repeat Again Rating¹ Ease of Cultivation Rating¹ Average Spacing (in2) Average Postharvest Life (days)
Wholesale Retail Consumer
Average 4.5 12.1 2.3 3.0 2.3 2.3 3.5 86 8.0
Range of Responses 1-10 7-20 2-3 2-4 1-4 1-4 2-5 16-288 7-10


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


Supplier

Fred C. Gloeckner 600 Mamaroneck Ave. Harrison, NY 10528-1613