Trial: Annual

Years Trialed: 2001

Good Qualities

Excellent color (4); Stiff stems but weak; Excellent heat tolerance, lived all summer in Chicago, once main shoot falls prostrate-all secondary shoots develop; Many stems, lacey effect; Nice filler for bouquets, was well accepted; Clear white flowers that don't discolor always a big plus; Interesting flower and open space; Very productive; Long lasting - best colors of any linaria; It doesn't like heat (zone 6b) and we had plenty of that; We are trying it as a winter crop; Customers loved it as a filler; We just need to grow it a different time of year; No insects or diseases!; Quick germination - 1 day; Cool weather plant, good for extending the cutting season, interesting change from the usual fillers.

Problems

Too short (3); Stems not substantial (3); Not a cut, flowers and dies quickly (fast crop time); Better as a seasonal annual than as a cut in Chicago; No useable stems; Doesn't bloom long into the season -- died out when we had extreme heat for prolonged period of time, stems were stiff, but thin; Plants needed support for quality stems and like 'Lace Violet', had to be cut very early to avoid blossom drop; Melted in heat; White is boring; White color not rich, nowhere nearly as interesting as the 'Lace Violet'; Too hot this year to get full potential.

Comments

Dislikes hot weather (zone 6b); All the linerias are worth another try; I'm trying it again this year, starting it in the fall, to see if it will produce thicker stems; Too short to cut - but maybe a direct seeded or cold frame cultivation would produce longer stems or an over wintered seeding.

Supplier

American Takii 301 Natividad Rd. Salinas, CA 93906