Note: Information for this trials report was provided by Rachel Gooder, Trials Manager at Plantpeddler)
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There was a huge difference between our 2023 to 2024 summer seasons. We had a lot of rain and cool temperatures in early 2024 that affected the amount of fertilizer we could apply to the pots. By mid July, the faucet shut off and it became hot a dry. These were two big extremes that bounced around how we cared for the pots, baskets and beds. It took a while to get size to the plants, but it all turned out good for our Variety Day in early August.
The trials consisted of 900 pots, 600 hanging baskets, and 12 different in-ground beds. Some of the beds were sponsored by partner breeders. Each bed was designated by what the breeders wanted to showcase for the Midwest area. Each bed was also uniquely different, which was fun for me to work with crops that I would not usually put in a ground bed. They all turned out great. Click here for a list of the top 25 varieties that were voted on by the attendees.
Each year the attendance increases, and this year’s attendance was outstanding. We had a full day of exceptional speakers that spoke on global plant supply chain and disease management.
I think my biggest challenge this year was the excess rain at the start of the season. It took a while to get the plants big and full due to the lack of fertilizer we could apply. Every time we fertilized, Mother Nature rinsed it out.
My favorite plant of the trials was the Helianthus ‘Sunfinity Double Yellow’ we had in the Syngenta Flowers bed. Once it started blooming, it never stopped. It filled the area fast and had outstanding color all season. It still had great flower power later into the fall. The Begonia Florencio series from Syngenta was an outstanding basket series, with full-colored baskets that flowered to late fall and were easy to maintain.
Find more 2024 field trials information here.
