Trial: Perennial
Years Trialed: 1999, 2000Good Qualities
Year 1
The best aspect of this plant is the nice leaves on long stems; Salmon pink berry. As rust resistant as ‘Excellent Flair’. Good stem length.Year 2
Good leaves; Excellent pink berry color, vigorous bush, rust resistant.Problems
Year 1
Need strict program of rust control in many areas. Must be shipped while actively growing or as rooted cutings. Dormant bareroot is problematic; One hundred percent of plants died soon after planting. Not sure why, but I assume they arrived with a problem as plants on all sides are healthy; Never grew.Year 2
Slow to develop berries; Must use effective rust control program, must be propagated from rooted cuttings or divisions dug after breaking dormancy!, increasing imports from Ecuador.Year 2
This one died 100% the first year; Best pricing comes with fall flush, must cut to ground 12 weeks before desired flush date.Trial Data
Year 1
| Yield (stems/plant)¹ | Stem Length (inches)¹ | Market Appreciation Rating² | Repeat Again Rating² | Ease of Cultivation Rating² | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 20.0 | 18.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
¹Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
²1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Year 2
| Plants Surviving (%) | Yield (stems/plant)¹ | Stem Length (inches)¹ | Market Appreciation Rating² | Repeat Again Rating² | Ease of Cultivation Rating² | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wholesale | Retail | Consumer | ||||||
| Average | 50.0 | 12.3 | 35.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
¹Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.
²1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Comments
Year 1
Most sought after flower or berry in the market for 1999. Pink berry more popular than brown berries. Fall production bring best pricing up to $1.20 a stem; Too short, maybe next year.