Three FloraStar Winners 

 Announced 



(from PPGA News. September. 10«41 



Starburst Red' Geranium (Ball 

 FloraPlanti is described as a best- 

 seller: its uniform, centered flowers 

 — on shorter stems — do not fade 

 and last longer; It has pleasant scent 

 and compact habit A unique aspect 

 is that the large, single flowers have 

 white petals heavily streaked with 

 red in a kaleidoscope of patterns ' 

 These variations are caused by 

 what breeders call a "jumping gene" 

 which makes the pattern unpredict- 

 able and each plant unique 



Pink Ice Double Impatiens, one 

 of the Summer Ice series of double- 

 flowering, variegated-leaf impatience 

 from D.S Cole Growers. Inc . is de- 

 scribed as floriferous. very compact, 

 with fully double flowers (rich laven- 

 der centers progressing to light pink 

 petals) contrasting well with foliage 

 Its also easy to grow — with no pests 

 or disease and no growth regulator 

 requirements. Self-branching, it 

 grows 12 inches tall, its neat habit 

 lending itself to a variety of uses. 



Patriot Rainbow' Lantana (Ameri- 

 can Daylily & Perennials) is "colorful" 

 and "uniquely compact," growing 

 only 12-16 inches tall It's multicol- 

 ored florets open electric yellow and 

 develop through tones of orange to 

 final fuchsia pink It thrives in sum- 

 mer heat, its compact globe-shaped 

 mounds make a dramatic low border 

 and work well in hanging baskets 

 and patio pots 



For a free full-color flier des- 

 cribing cultural information on 

 all three, contact the PPGA office 

 at 1-800-047-7742 



Bulb Media Tips 



(from Greenhouse Manager. November. 

 1904) 



Growers forcing bulbs for pot plant 

 production should take a serious 

 look at their growing medium A. A 

 DeHertogh, with North Carolina State 

 in Raleigh, said pure peat and sand 

 media can cut down on crop quality 



"Pure peat generally holds too 

 much water, while sands have a very 

 low pH and quite a bit of salt" 

 DeHertogh said "They just don't 

 have very desirable traits" 



Forcing bulbs requires a good, 

 well-drained mix. DeHertogh said 

 Here are some commercially avail- 

 able mixes that are acceptable for 

 forcing bulbs: 



Tulips Ball Grower Mix No 2. Ball 

 Grower Mix No ^, Metro Mix 350, 

 Metro Mix 3t)0. and Sunshine Mix 

 No 4 



Hyacinths Ball Grower Mix No 2. Ball 

 Grower Mix No 3 Metro 350. Metro 

 360, Metro 500, and Sunshine Mix 

 No 4. 

 Daffodils Fafard No 2. Fafard 3-B, 



Fafard No 4, Metro Mix 350, Metro 

 Mix 360, Metro Mix 500, and Sun- 

 shine Mix No 4 



Here are some additional tips on 

 growing medium from DeHertogh: 



• make sure the medium is sterile; 



• pH should be 6,0-7 0; 



• soluble salt level should be low; 



• the medium should be moist at 

 planting time. 



• at planting time, make sure the 

 medium is the same temperature 

 as the bulbs (50F-63F); 



• for freesia. Dutch iris, and lily 

 bulbs, the medium must be 

 fluoride-free 



For more: AA DeHertogh. North 

 Carolina State University, 120 Kilgore 

 Hall, Box 7600, Raleigh, NC 27605; 

 Telephone: O|Q-515-201 I 



Z. 



BARK!!! The benefits of bark In a soilless mix go unrecog- 

 nized. Bark will make a poor mix better. Bark will give the ad- 

 ditional porosity (air space) that Is needed In basic peat mixes. 

 Not only Is bark an Inexpensive amendment, but If added In 

 enough quantity, It adds weight needed for efficient outdoor 

 plant production. And bark doesn't shrink or degrade the way 

 peat moss tends to do over a period of time. 



Generally speaking, I have fewer problems with people grow- 

 ing plants In bark mixes than with those not Because of the po- 

 rosity, plants will root faster. Bark gives the drainage needed 

 for root development. And, because pythlum requires a wet soil 

 In which to develop, better drainage means less disease pres- 

 sure. Better drainage also translates Into less fungus gnats and 

 shore files— both requiring decaying vegetation, something that of- 

 ten occurs In wetter mixes. Bark also gives off toxins that sup- 

 press diseases that could develop Inside your mix. 



Aged pine bark Is the key to--and bark ash Is the ultimate 

 for-stabllity. Bark insufficiently aged or only composted can ac- 

 tually be detrimental to your plants' health and vigor Poorly 

 aged bark will rob nitrogen from your mix In order to help con- 

 tinue Its aging and composting process (Bacteria Is actually 

 what consumes the nitrogen, but these bacteria are responsible 

 for the composting process I Having composting occur in your 

 soilless mix could cause shrinkage and collapse. Whether you 

 buy premade mixes like Metro Mix 360 or 5 10 (which use bark 

 ash and may have aged pine bark in them as well) or mix your 

 own, be sure to buy high-quality Ingredients. In four letters, 

 dogs say It all. 



\im Zablodii. Terr/lory Manager. The SccKs Company. Northeast, is at 

 603-224-5583 



OCTOBER NOVEMBER 1^04 



