xt7t1g0hvx74 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7t1g0hvx74/data/mets.xml Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1967 journals 169 English Lexington : Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Kentucky Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.169 text Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.169 1967 2014 true xt7t1g0hvx74 section xt7t1g0hvx74 1966 GARDEN FLOWER VARIEIY TRIA LS IN KENTUCKY By J.W. Buxton and T. E. Pope Progress Report 169 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Department of Horticulture Lexington i 1966 GARDEN FLOWER VARIETY TRIALS IN KENTUCKY _ By J. W. Buxton and T. E. Popel Garden annuals are used in ever-increasing amounts in home and industrial plantings. Therefore, it is important to provide information about the many varieties available to commer- cial producers and consumers. Numerous varieties of garden annuals are compared annually under Kentucky‘s climatic and soil conditions in the University of Kentucky trial gardens. Seed used in the trials was supplied by commercial seed companies and were sown the first of April, except for marigolds, zinnias, and balsam, which were sown the middle of April. Seed of each variety was sown in a 4-inch clay pot containing a sterilized mixture of 1 part soil; 1 part peat; 1 part perlite. A thin layer of vermiculite was placed on top of this mixture and I watered thoroughly. The seed was sown on the vermiculite and then covered with another thin layer of vermiculite. Small seeds such as that of petunias and snapdragons were left uncovered. A freezer bag was then placed over the pot and wrapped around the bottom. Some of the pots were placed in a plastic greenhouse where otemperatures were maintained at 700.with heating cable. Other pots were placed in a 7 00 growth room furnished with fluorescent and incandescent light fixtures about 18-inches above the top of the pots. The plastic bags were removed as soon as the seed be- gan to germinate., When the seedlings had developed two true leaves, they were transplanted into , 2 1/4-inch peat pots. Marigold, zinnia, and balsam seed was sown directly in 2 1/4-inch peat pots in flats, using the same methods described above. The direct-sown flats were covered with a sheet of clear polyethylene plastic which was removed as soon as germination started. Beginning in mid-May, the plants were transplanted to the garden. Plants were placed in 6-.x 5—foot plots laid out in rows, with a 5-foot walkway between rows. The rows were covered with 4-mil black polyethylene plastic to control weeds and conserve moisture. Generally, the plants were given 1 square foot in which to grow; however, some plots contained more or fewer plants, depending on growth characteristics of the variety. Water was applied by a sprinkler system, as necessary, and ammonium nitrate in combination with a sol- uble 20-20-20 fertilizer was applied every 2 or 3 weeks throughout the summer. The varieties were evaluated on July 20 and again on August 5, so that most of them would be observed at a time when they were in full bloom. Each variety was given a rating of "excellent," "very good," "fair," or "poor, " based on uniformity, general appeal, and disease resistance. On July 11 a field day was held at the trial garden. Forms were distributed to persons visiting the trials for preference ranking of petunia, marigold, celosia, and zinnia varieties. On page 15 the top varieties are listed in the order of preference. 1Present address, Area Extension Specialist, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, La. -4- VARIETIES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** AGERATUM Blue Blazer 8-11** very good good rich mid- blue Fairy Pink 9-15** fair; not un- poor shades of iform in height lavender and flowering pink Golden Ageratum 12-14** good good golden I yellow Snow Carpet 8-9** good good white ALYSSUM Carpet of Snow — very good very good white Royal Carpet — very good very good violet white AMA RANTHUS Early Splendor 54-56** 1/2 died of most of mixed red . disease, re- plants dead and deep red _ mainder foliage; poor very good disease res- istance 1 *Seetl Companies supplying seed for these trials: george j. B.1llCo. . W. Atlec Burpee Co. , Fred C. Gloeckner Co.I.nc. , Germania Seed Co. , Henry F. Mitchell Co. , Vaughan‘s `ecd Co. .»\ll-Amcricrm Selection Trials - Goldsmith Seeds, Inc. , Geo. W. Park Seed Co. , and joseph Harris Co. Inc. *~*Comments as given by seed companies. ***Not Evaluated _ -5.. VARIETIES. TESTED* V Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** STER Rivera Mixed - poor poor mixture ALSAM Color Parade 26-28" very good very good large double blooms; mix- ture Dro Tom Thumb 9-11" fair to fair double bloom good mixture Double Camellia 9-11" fair fair double blooms; mixture ASIL Dark Opal 18-20" very good very good dark purplish- bronze foliage ELOSIA Fireglow 18-·20" very good very good cardinal red Forest Fire 22-28" very good excellent fiery orange scarlet with bronzy red foliage Golden Feather 15-17" very good fair, flo- golden wers fad- yellow ing Rose Empress 11—13" very good very good bright rose Kardinal Imp 9—11" very good good; some red fading Toreador 20—22" good good; flo— bright red wers too tall Giant Empress 9-10" very good very good crimson with reddish leaves ACHELORS BUTTON Blue Boy 27—29" very good good blue Jubilee Jem 16-18" very good very good blue; short · doesn't fall over or explanation of footnotes, *, **, and ***, see page 7.) -5- VARIETIES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** Pinkie 18-20" good fair pink; falls over Red Boy 20-22" good fair dark pink COLEUS Rainbow Mix - very good — mixture _ in shade Rose Rainbow - very good good bright salmo rose foliage COSMOS Goldcrest 18-20" very good good golden yello Sunset 18—20" very good poor bright orang CA LENDULA Orange Delight 15-17" poor poor orange DAHLIA Coltness Single 14—16" poor poor mix; dwarf . single flower _ Unwin Dwarf 14-16" good good mix; double . semi-double DAISY Gloriosa Db. 35-37" very good excellent golden yello with dark l brown cente DIANTHUS Baby Doll 5—6" fair good mixture of reds, pinks, whites Bravo 7—9" good poor brilliant red · (For cxpl.1n;1tiou of foomoius, " . *’“ , and *~¤‘*, scc page 7.) ..7- J VARIETIES TESTED* _ Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** Red Monarch 6-8** good fair scarlet red USTY MILLER Gymnocrapa 16-18** good good silvery gray foliage Maritima 12—15" very good very good silvery gray foliage OXGLOVE Foxy 15-18" *** very good mixture LTANA Double Bright Orange *>•<* good orange Bright rose »•<*>•< fair rose Pinkie **=•¤ coral rose Pink Jewel *»•<* few flo- rose pink wers Red Jewel *** few flo- deep cherry wers red Scarlet Baby **>•< few flo— scarlet; light wers bronze foliage BELIA Blue Gown >•<=•<>•< good deep blug Crystal Palace *** gggd deep blue; bronze foliage Heavenly *** fair deep sky blue Rosamond »•<** fair violet rose with white eye White Lady *** good clear white 1* explanation of footnotes, *, **, and ***, see page 7.) -8.. VARIETIES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** MARIGOLD Brittany 9-11" very good *** deep mahogan with golden yellow tip · Brownie Scout 8—11" good *** golden yellow with flecks of reddish brown Color Magic 10-13" good good yellow and V orange marke with dark red Diamond Jubilee 24-26" good good sunny yellow Double Eagle 28—32" very good good deep orange; double flower Doubloon 30—32" good very good light yellow Golden Climax 28-30** good very good golden yellow Golden Jubilee 26-28** very good very good bright yellow Naughty Marietta 15—17" very good very good golden yellow with mahogan Pygmy Primrose 9-11** good good primrose with gl red base Rusty Red 18-20" good good rust red Sparky 12-14" very good very good light golden yellow to mahogany l Spry 10—12" good *** golden yellow centers with mahogany guard petals spungold 12-14** good *** bright golden yellow Spun Yellow 10-12" *** *** bfight yellow Yellow Pygmy 9-12** good good lemon yellow Lemon Yellow 9—11" very good good lemon yellow Sunbeam 24-26** good good lemon yellow to deep orange (For explanation of footnotes, *, **, and ***, see page 7.) ..9- VARIETIES TESTED* l Hei ht Jul 120 Au . 5 Comments** EMESIA. ’ Mixture 8—14" poor poor mixture attractive early in season IEREMBERGIA Purple Robe good good deep violet purple ETUNIA. " Multiflora Cleopatra 8—10" very good good scarlet Comanche very good poor brilliant scarlet—red Kewpie 11-12" very good very good rose-white bicolor Pink Delight 14-16" good good light rose with deeper viens Pink Profusion very good very good pink to rose Plum Dandy 12-14** excellent very good fuchsia-purple Purple Plum 14-16" excellent good reddish plum color Red & White Delight 14—16" good fair bright scarlet and white Red Satin good good scarlet Resisto Bright Scarlet 12-14" very good very good scarlet Rose Star 9-11" good good dark rose red with white star Salmon Delia 8—10" good fair salmon rose Scarlet Satin good good scarlet red Starfire 9—11" good good scarlet red and white Star Trophy 14—16" very good good white stars - _ _ _ y y y on blue r explanation of footnotes, ", *", and *"*, see page 7.) -10- VARIETIES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** Sugar Blue good good deep blue shades to lig blue Sugar Pink 9-11** excellent very good light pink · ` ` veined with deep pink Valentine poor poor red; double White Delight 16-18** very good very good white White Dandy 16-17** excellent very good white Red Dandy 14-16** good fair red Grandiflora Apple blossom 15-16** very good good light to intense pink Blue Danube 14-16** fair good lavender blue; double _ Blue Jeans 12-14** good good med-blue Blue Mantle 14-16** good fair violet blue Bonfire 12-14** good fair deep salmon . scarlet with golden throat Boomershine 18-20** fair good scarlet with white varia- tions; double Bridesmaid 12-14** very good good light salmon ` pink Candy Apple 9-11** good good bright scarle red Dorothy Favorite 6-8** good poor salmon rose; double Dreamland fair fair deep crimso and white; bicolor Fandango 15-17** good fair deep blue an white bicolor ruffled (For ·:xpl.m;ition of ioomotcs. " . "‘. and **2 see page 7.) -11- VARI ETI ES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** Fiesta 10-12** very good very good rose and white variation " Gay Paris 15-17** very good very good wine-purple and white Glacier 8-14** good fair white Highlight 9-11** very good very good deep salmon _ Lyric 11-13** poor fair salmon pink; double Peach Blossom 9-11** very good very good white shading to salmon Razzle-Dazzle fair fair mixture of red, deep blue, and crimson Red Magic 10-12** very good good bright red with yellow throat Spring Song 8-10** good very good salmon pink Vesuvius 9-11** very good good deep rose red; ruffled edges White Cascade 8-9** good fair white; ruffled edges White Magic 8-12** good good white; ruffled edges HLOX Radiant Mixture 5-7** fair poor mixture X Twinkles 8** very good fair mixture; small pointed petal flowers Dwarf Mix 8-9** very good poor mixture Twinkles (Red) 5-6** very good fair red shades Twinkles (Salmon) 5-6** very good poor pink shades Dwarf Master Blend 7-9** excellent poor mixture or explanation of footnotes, *, and ***, see page 7.) l -12- VARIETIES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** PORTULACA Mixture 8-10** very good very good mixture SA LVIA America 24-26** good; few good red; dwarf, flowers bushy Brazier 16-18** good very good scarlet V Cardinal 26-28** good; few good intense red V flowers with dark foliage Copper King 12-14** good very good red with copp on calyx Evening Glow 22-24** good; few good lavender ros flowers Red Bird 12-14** very good excellent red Regal Purple 26-28** excellent very good deep violet blue Royal Blue 37-40** very good good deep blue Royal White 37-39** excellent good white V Violet Flame 24-26** good; few very good dark violet flowers purple St. John's Fire 18-20** very good very good deep red Whitefire 16-18** good good creamy whit _ Scarlet Pygmy 15-17** good very good scarlet Rose Flame 22-24** good good; few scarlet flowers SCABIOSA . Gt. Mix 18-20** good poor mixture SWEET PEAS Salmon Cream Pink poor poor salmon (For explanation of footnotes, *, *‘*, and *5**, see page 7.) V -13.. VARIETIES TESTED* V Hei ht Jul r20 Au . 5 Comments** ERBENA ` Amethyst 5-7** very good very good med blue Mixture 9-11** very good very good mixture NCA Coquette 13-15** very good very good rosy pink ` Bright Eye 13-15** very good very good white flowers; red centers STURTIUM Golden Gleam fair fair golden yellow Orange fair fair orange . NNIA Bonanza 26-28** very good fair golden yellow Envy 24-26** very good very good chartreuse Firecracker 30-32** excellent very good scarlet-red quilled cactus type petals Old Mexico 20-24** very good very good deep mahogany red edged with bright gold shades Persian Carpet 18-22** very good very good Bi-color flo— , wers with pointed petals; range of color Pink Buttons 16-18** very good fair rose pink and salmon small flowers Princess 28-30** very good fair soft salmon- pink Red Man 24-26** very good good scarlet r explanation of footnotes, *, **, and ***, see page 7.) -14- VARIETIES TESTED* Hei ht Jul 20 Au . 5 Comments** River of Gold 22-24** very good very good gold shades State fair Mix 36-38** very good very good mixture Thumbelina 5-7** very good very good dwarf; mixtur Wild Cherry 24-26** excellent very good violet rose » Whirligig 22-24** very good: fair various brigh colors in cir- cular pattern Yellow Zenith 26-30** very good very good clear yellow Miss University 24-36** poor poor mixture FLOWERING TOBACCO Limelight 32-34** very good very good limegreen Scarlet queen 32-34** good good deep red (For cxpianmon of footnotes, *, **, and ***, see page 7.) _ I -15- . TOP VARIETIES OF 1966 Celosia Petunia Fireglow Plum Dandy Golden Feather Star Trophy Rose Empress Purple Plum Giant Empress Bridesmaid ‘ Cardinal Imp. Kewpie Spring Song Marigold Zinnia Doubloon Wild Cherry Sparky Mix Firec raoker Lemon Yellow Princess Double Eagle Pink Buttons V ~ Spry Old Mexico Brittany Whirligig 2M—4— 67