REDS 
Two reasonably good sequences of color can be followed in red geraniums. The first from 
orange-scarlet to clear dark red. The second sequence contains the varieties shaded with crim- 
son, those with a ruby cast so popular in geraniums. 
ORANGE RICARD—Semi-double, clear bright 
orange. This is the only good orange used 
extensively in the trade. Plant is typical 
Alphonse Ricard, but somewhat smaller and 
lower. The pleasing orange color can be 
controlled by keeping the nitrates on the 
low side (but always enough to maintain 
good health). 
IMPROVED RICARD—Semi-double, regular, 
light brick-red or soft orange-scarlet. The 
very large flowers are borne on a good 
solid, fairly compact plant of fast, but not 
tall growth. Improved Ricard is very hardy 
and excellent for pots or bedding. It was 
the leading seller during the 1953 season. 
The name is misleading, as it is in no way 
related to Ricard. 
RED LANDRY—Almost identical with Im- 
proved Ricard and can only be differentiat- 
ed by a slightly rounder leaf which is less 
serrated; otherwise, plant and flower are 
identical. However, we are told by grow- 
ers, especially those north of Chicago, that 
up to May 15th both varieties bear the 
same number of flowers; after that date, 
Red Landry has up to 7O per cent more 
blooms. In the Pacific Northwest Improved 
Ricard is preferred. Missouri and Kansas, 
where the variety was discovered, prefer 
Red Landry four to one. 
MITCHELL’S SENSATION—Semi-double, very 
large flowers of brilliant scarlet. The re- 
verse side of the petals is much lighter. 
Very hardy and makes a fine pot plant. 
Far superior’ to Olympic Red for bedding 
purposes, as it is not touchy to wet-dry 
conditions and is stronger rooted, which is 
important in areas where high winds dam- 
age plants. Mitchell’s Sensation is a very 
profuse bloomer. During much of the sea- 
son it is difficult to tell from Olympic Red. 
RED FIAT—Semi-double, orange-scarlet on 
a medium-sized plant. Free bloomer in 
most cooler areas, but not grown in the 
belt of Kansas, Missouri, or Oklahoma. Red 
Fiat is probably the leading variety in Ohio 
where we enjoy as active customers one 
out of every four greenhouses. 
HELEN MITCHELL—Taller than Red Fiat or 
Polly Red, the flowers are also much larger 
and slightly more regular. The color is the 
Same oOrange-scarlet. An excellent bedder 
south of Chicago, it is a favorite in the 
Pacific Northwest and does very well in the 
desert areas of the Southwest. 
IMPROVED RED FIAT—Advertised as an 
improvement, but seems to be Helen Mitch- 
ell, a well known variety and free bloomer. 
POLLY RED—The same color and flower as 
Red Fiat, possibly slightly darker and 
brighter, with the same plant and size. 
However, the flowering qualities are much 
improved, being more profuse and willing 
to bloom well in any locality. Polly Red is 
becoming a favorite where only Wyona 
would bloom well before. In areas like 
Oklahoma, where Red Fiat does not make 
a good plant, Polly Red grows very well. 
W YONA—Semi-double scarlet, almost iden- 
tical with Red Fiat, but about a shade 
darker and a much better bloomer under 
adverse conditions. Taller than Red Fiat 
or Polly Red and equal to Helen Mitchell, 
Wyona is compact and makes a good pot 
plant. Caught short on this variety last 
year, we have much larger plantings now, 
in spite of the fact that we are growing 
over half an acre of the newer Polly Red. 
SEABRIGHT — Semi-double, very large flat 
florets forming a good-sized flower. A good 
strong pot plant and excellent bedder. A 
small percentage of the flowers sport tc 
serrated or carnation type petals. 
ALPHONSE RICARD—Strong growing, semi- 
double scarlet with good blooming habits. 
Once a leading variety, we now grow it in 
limited quantities for the specialists. 
JULES VASSEUR—(Springfield Scarlet) — 
Same plant and flower as Double Dryden, 
but the white center is larger. We also 
grow Anita Warren, in which the white 
center predominates, but do not always 
have it in large supply. Price is standard. 
OLYMPIC RED — Semi-double, very large 
heads of clear light red. Good-sized, com- 
pact, and a big favorite for pot plants. This 
is the leading variety in the New York area, 
although Mitchell’s Sensation sells equally 
well in New Jersey and south. Olympic 
Red requires more water and food than 
most geraniums, and the condition of 
crooked necks just below the flower head 
is caused by a dry period as the bud is 
forming. 
DOUBLE DRYDEN—Double, bright, light 
clear red with white center. Good pot 
plant or bedder. The white center gives 
the illusion of being lighter in color than 
the actual one. 
GROWING TIP—Know your soil content. Reports of stunting from both lack, or excess, of boron have been 
received. Iron deficiency will create a rough-looking leaf; this is most prevelant when the pH is at the best 
for geraniums. In our own fields, we spray iron and maganese (do not confuse with magnesium) as a foliate 
feed. This is more practical than root feeding. 
Spray with 1 oz. iron sulphate and 12 oz. manganese 
sulphate to each gallon of water (always apply both together). Try to get as good coverage as possible on 
the underside of the leaf. 
That is where the largest stoma (leaf pores) are, and the intake is better. 
Some find that Sequesterine as directed for hydrangeas, is fine for iron feeding of geranium foliage. 
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