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Update August 13, 2007:
The 2nd week of August has been very hot and humid, with frequent and heavy rains resulting in some botrytis on geraniums,
some plants are plants beginning to segment and fall apart with a reduction in overall flower power.Petunias and Calibrachoa look good at this writing, but based on past history and insect trapping we are starting to spray for
budworm (link to article). Insect traps located in sweet corn fields are finding adult budworm moths in Maryland and Southern Lancaster
County. This insect is generally known as corn earworm or tobacco budworm and generally attacks sweet corn, but will also
lay eggs on developing buds of geraniums, petunias, Calibrachoa, Osteospermum and other plants. The majority of small larvae
do not develop into full sized caterpillars or adult moths, as ornamental flowers do not provide the best food source.
However, they damage the unopened buds, causing flower abortion and cessation of flowering.
Best Plants on the second week August 2007 -
It is rather amazing to see seed propagated All-American Selections continue to have excellent performance
and be preferred by consumers.
Egyptian Papyrus - This is a very tall plant, almost 6' high and it is always falling over in the mildest of wind. It needs a very large,
heavy container, as it is fast growing and top heavy; but people love it and would make a great accent plant.
Article: Budworms on Flowering Annuals (click for pdf)
Update August 1, 2007 - Top Varieties for June and July
Angelonia - 'Anglemist Spreading Purple' & 'AngleMist Pink' from Ball FloraPlant are low compact plants
with many flowers adored by consumers. Either is great for baskets or combinations.
Zinnia - 'Zowie' 2006 All American Winner with three to five inch scarlet and yellow blooms on top two to three foot
tall plants that is adored by consumers. Makes a great cut flower. Rate as "One of our Best" in 2006 as well!
Grass (Juncus) - 'Blue Arrows' from PanAmericanSeed. This compact plant has pointed upright cylindrical leaves,
dense foliage and a shape ideal for verticality in mixed containers.
Lantana - 'Landmark Citrus' A great NEW Lantana from Ball FloraPlant. At Penn State we rated this as
"One of Best New Introductions" in July. It's vigorous, blooms early with a mass of orange-yellow-lavender flowers.
'Landmark Pot of Gold' rated as "One of the Best" in '05, '06 and once again in 2007.
Scaveola - Two NEW cascading Scaveola from Suntory are 'Surdiva Light Blue' and 'Surdiva Blue' both
caught the eye of growers and breeders alike. It has a true weeping habit that would be great for baskets
and it has been flowering since it was in the greenhouse.
Calabrachoa - 'Superbells Dreamsicle' A NEW introduction from Proven winners that has great vigor producing
an upright rounded habit covered in bright orange flowers. A note to men, the women visiting the trial really liked it.
and the trial director. 'Patriot Red Improved PAC' From Ecke-Oglevee Geraniums.
Coleus - At the Penn State Consumer Field Day on July 28, 2007 gardeners picked coleus as their favorite genus,
with NEW 'Velvet Mocha' (PW) as one of the top varieties.
Petunia - 'Supertunia Bermuda Beach' - a great compact mound covered in coral pink flowers and 'Supertunia
Raspberry Blast' are great plants from Proven Winners.
Dorotheanthus - 'Mezoo Trailing Red' is a low cascading succulent-like plant with an occasional bright red
flowers that peeks out of green and white foliage.
Summer Field Day, July 26, 2007
Article: Budworms on Flowering Annuals (click for pdf)
For the week of July 16, 2007
Summary:
Flowers are looking very good. Remember to register for July 26 Field Day. We are seeing Japanese Beetle Damage on Cuphea,
Sweet Potato, Salvia, Ivy Geraniums and even on New Guinea Impatiens.Pesticides have been applied bi-weekly of Marathon and/or Malathion. It has helped but not stopped damage. The following are
examples of Japanese Beetle Damage (click on title to view larger image):
Cuphea - Japanese Beetle Damage
Salvia - Japanese Beetle Damage
Garden Activities: Geraniums are being cleaned and flower counts taken.
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Old
flowers being removed
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Master
Gardeners helping to clean geranium flowers
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A few of the plants that look good in early July:
one of the best for '05, '06 and now 2007))
For the week of July 9, 2007
Summary:
The variety trial is looking great! This is a good week to see plants' growth habits:
- Calibrachoa show trailing, mounds or upright forms.
- Petunias with compact or vigorous habits
- Salvia
- Coleus
- Geraniums - both zonal and ivy types
In a few weeks plants tend to grow together and lose definition. Remember the Field Day, July 26.
Samples of outstanding varieties for this week:
Bacopa - 'Calypso Jumbo White' (new) - Fischer USA
Bacopa - 'Calypso Jumbo White' (new) - Fischer USA
Bacopa - 'Gulliver Lilac' - Danziger
Bacopa - 'Gulliver Lilac' - Danziger
Bacopa - 'Pan American Snowtopia White'
Bacopa - 'Pan American Snowtopia White'
Bacopa - 'Pan American Blutopia Blue'
Bacopa - 'Pan American Blutopia Blue'
'Supercal Neon Rose' - Sakata Seed Co.
Cross between Calibrachoa and Petunia'Supercal Neon Rose' - Sakata Seed Co.
Cross between Calibrachoa and Petunia
'Cuphea' - Fischer USA and S & G Flower (Closeup)
'Cuphea' - Fischer USA and S & G Flower (Closeup)
'Cuphea' - Fischer USA and S & G Flower
Viola - 'Velocity Yellow Face' - Paul Eche Ranch
Viola Closeup
'Supertunia Bermuda Beach' (new) - Proven Winner
'Supertunia Raspberry Blast' (new)
- Proven Winner
Dick Berry Research & Extension Greenhouse - Media Trial with Pine Bark and Rice Hulls. We are testing Sunflowers, Impatiens, Calibrachoa, and Heuchera
For the week of June 24, 2007
Summary:
Everything is labeled and looking great. Come and visit!
Samples of outstanding varieties for this week:
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| Anagalis | Angelonia |
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| Overview of Nemesia | Nemesia Closeup |
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| Nemesia | |
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| Overview of Begonias under Shade | Calibrachoa |
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| Lantana | Salvia |
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| Sanvitalia Overview | Sanvitalia |
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| Cleome | Viola Overview |
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| Viola - Velocity Series - Light Blue | Viola Closeup |
For the week of June 11, 2007
Summary:
It has been 3 weeks since planting outdoors and many species are flowering nicely. 90% of all plants are labeled. However,
the plat plan and rating sheets will not be available until 1st week of July. Come and visit!Plants that are blooming well include:
- Salvia - just now in early flower
- Petunia - flowers are covering plants. Colors are crisp and bright.
- Lobelia - Excellent flowering
- Argyranthemum - just coming into flower, easy to see early blooming varieties
- Geranium - good flower display
- Begonia - note Solenia, Bonfire and new Bellfire
- Sanvitalia - full, bright yellow flower
- Snapdragon - excellent display
- Biddens - great golden yellow flowers
- Diascia - Excellent flower, full plants covered in flowers
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| Overview of Petunias | |
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| Overview of Begonias | Begonia - Bonfire (left) and Bellfire (right) |
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| Biddens - Pirate's Treasure | Overview of Argyranthemums |
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| Overview of Verbenas | Overview of Geraniums |
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| Overview of Snapdragons | |
For the week of May 28, 2007
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| Master Gardeners and Volunteers sorting and loading plants for University Trial | |
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| Master Gardener Richard Pratt helping to plant 2007 Variety Trial | Lunchbreak |
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| Master Gardener Sam Marisco and Extension Educator Jim Welshans | John Rowe, volunteer helping to water plants |
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| The Master Gardener Planting Crew | |
Summary:
1200 Varieties were planted on May 15, 16, 17 and placed outside in growing area. Over 75 Master Gardeners and Greenhouse Industry folk planted, moved, and watered 4500 pots. Plants are growing nicely and should be labeled by June 15, 2007.
For the week of April 30, 2007
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| Dick Berry Research Greenhouse | Plants in 4" pots labeled for trialing |
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| Plants in coldframe | Master Gardeners pruning plants for trial |
Summary:
After 3 weeks of cool, dark weather, outdoor temperatures are in the 70's and 80's, plants are growing nicely. 1101 varieties
are now entered in the 2007 Trial from 15 suppliers and breeders in the USA and Europe.Greenhouse activities:
- Spraying for Botrytis and aphids
- Pruining plants to encourage branching
- Fertilize with 20-5-20 100ppm.
Future activities:
- Planting outside in large containers May 15, 16, and 17
- Trial open for visition - July 1, 2007
- Field Day - July 26, 2007
- Consumer Field Day - July 28, 2007
Additional Information:
- Penn State Horticulture Trial Gardens
- Year End Reports - 2006, Plant Sources (2006)
