Dianthus 'Radiant White'

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


Dianthus 'Radiant White'

Good Qualities

Strong white color (2); Fragrance (light; pleasant); Easy to grow; Hardy; Large flower, good form; Vigorous grower; Good second growth; Fast, white; Performed better than the other two dianthus 'Radiant Scarlet' and 'Purple'.

Problems

Too short (6); Browned out prior to cutting; Stunted growth, quickly going out of color (browning), difficult to use owing to first two problems! - went to seed rather quickly, a little fall rebound, but no real noticeable improvement overall; White flowers not a big seller for me; Segregates pink; Not very robust / minimal second flush; 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.

Postharvest

Cool water-Chrysal #2

Comments

Similar to 'Sweet White'; My least favorite/useful of the three dianthus I trialed; Not preferred species for my cut flower operation; Get another 12 inches and could be great; Looked like any other white dianthus; Fat, succulent stems but not as stiff as 'Sweet Whit'e; Short stemmed and short lived.


Trial Data

Dianthus 'Radiant White'
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 5.4 12.5 2.4 2.1 2.8 2.4 3.9 117 6.0
Range of Responses 1-10 6-18 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-5 2-5 16-324 3-10


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