Q&A
Mike: Actually, COLORFALLยฎ will respond pretty well to that, a little different than other New Guineas. Part of the reason is because of the vigor. In all the trials weโve done, we did see that the flowering was very quick compared to other new guineas. So, from stick to flower itโs 72F / 23C it finished in 10 weeks from the URC, which is about 2-3 weeks faster than most New Guineas. Of course, when you lower the temperature, you will have to add time and we can help you there also โ we have a spreadsheet that will calculate the finish time by temperature.
Mike: I would put at least 3. Regarding the second question โ in New Guinea, the quicker that you transplant it, the faster it will take off and the bigger it will get. So, direct stick is a good idea for Sol Lunaโข, and I think that will make probably the nicest basket. But then if you do a liner or a plug, I wouldnโt do one thatโs over 4 weeks old, and it needs to be transplanted very quickly.
Lisa: They do, they have a slightly sweet fragrance to them. Itโs not something thatโs overwhelming, but they do have a slight fragrance thatโs very nice.
Lisa: They actually all blend well together, some of them are a little bit more vigorous, but weโve noticed that when we put them together, they tend to all keep up with each other and make a nice well-rounded container. We do have some recipes that weโve tested and trialed, that we definitely know work together and those are going to be in our DURABELLAยฎ line-up. So, if you look at our Durabellas, we have 3 or 4 of them that are nice 3 color combos.
Randy: They are available right now. We have been sending out trials since December. So yes, please contact us and we will have them available.
We are putting that list together now, so yes we will.
Mike: All of our calibrachoa will flower in a 10-hour day, which is going to be early enough for any market, US or Europe.
They will be starting week 6 or 7, and at full trial quantities roughly week 12.
Mike: I didnโt see a whole lot of difference in our trials, but I will say that we kind of draw the line north and south for the 2 series. The bigger issue is the sizing up. So, in the northern part of the country and northern Europe you should use GEM, and then in the south/south east, I recommend the compact. Flower-wise they are both very early.
Randy: We actually put this list together this past fall. We did a grow out at Mikeโs in Michigan, and created that list. A lot of the items that we touched on during the presentation fit that bill. Contact us for more information and specific questions.
Mike: In any NGI, heat means development, that what they are driven by. The biggest thing and the reason I have the spreadsheet I told you about, is because you have to calculate and call it what it is. An example is, you can go from 72F down to 68F and add 2 weeks of production. So, if your greenhouse is colder and youโre not able to maintain 62F than youโre probably going to be adding 4 weeks to that 12. So, itโs a pretty big difference. COLORFALLยฎ will be similar to some of the more vigorous varieties; you can grow it in cooler temperatures.
Lisa: The CAPELLAโข Indigo was more vigorous and didnโt fit the series, so we decided we need to work on the branching and getting that habit a little bit more controlled so it will match the series better. So, it is more mounded and has better branching.
Mike: The original Indigo in the CAPELLAโข series was moved to the CASCADIASโข series, because it was quite a bit larger, and the new Indigo matches the CAPELLAโข series so much better.
Randy: I was something a breeder was just working on, and came about. I think that the true advantage is that you a have a true vegetative item that would have the quality of a TC item, and the cost of a URC item. Weโve seen them, in trials with tissue cultured varieties as well as seed, and performance-wise we feel very that it will work just as well, but much easier production than tissue culture or even seed.
Mike: It is also very reliable on giving cuttings, and itโs always a problem with this type of item.ย I can say it lends itself very well to vegetative production. So, weโre hoping to have more colors in the future.
Lisa: Thatโs a tough one, but I would say Calypso Cherry of the SPLASH DANCEโข is probably my favorite. I say this because the color with the yellow speckles instead of white makes it unique in the market.ย I think it will be a real rockstar in the next season.
Mike: I definitely like the COLIBRIโข Exotic Red Bling that will make every grower look good every time they grow it. And of course, I would say over I like the ones that sell.
Randy: I have to say itโs the Gaillardia GUSTOโข Sweet Chili. Weโve been watching these Gaillardias in the system for quite a few years, and itโs nice to see that launch.