Price competition in the spring classic range, combined with the weather conditions of the past three years, are pushing producers more and more to their absolute limits. Reliable cultural notes for spring flowers that can be marketed along with pansies to generate extra sales are for this reason becoming increasingly important as a sales factor.
In this year's spring flowers trial, Benary tested 9 varieties – including 3 annualized perennials from the FastraX range – in 3 different cultivation variants. Sown in week 36 and potted in week 41, the varieties tested
- In Variant A, the crop was exposed to real-life production conditions for pansies (grown on at 4 °C/39 °F).
- In Variant B, the plants were grown on at 10-12 °C/50-54 °F.
- In Variant C, the plants were grown on at 10-12 °C/50-54 °F and received 12 hours of supplementary light.
Interesting results showed in week 11: The new Arabis caucasica 'Snowfix' produces a very good quality when grown along with pansies. It develops a very compact habit with lots of flowers. Although flowering can be advanced by providing supplemental light, it is not recommended because it will result in a less compact habit. Erysimum 'Gold Dust' produces good quality plants in all three variants. It is well suited for production along with pansies. For premium quality pots, Benary recommends using 3 plants per 12 cm/4" pot. Plants should not be pinched because the pinched ends will be always visible. Silene pendula 'Celina', a 2004 introduction, is also ideal for all three variants and hence makes an excellent production partner for pansies. The cooler the temperature, the nicer the globular habit with masses of bright pink flowers.
Along with these three pansy favorites, Alyssum 'Mountain Gold', Doronicum 'Little Leo' and Saxifraga 'Purple Robe' all produce very good plant qualities when grown on at 10-12 °C/50-54 °F. With 12 hours of supplemental light, flowering is advanced, e.g. of Anacyclus depressus 'Garden Gnome'. The FastraX perennial Scabiosa 'Ritz Blue' produces very nice compact plants. Its fine sky blue flowers make 'Ritz Blue' a genuine highlight in high-quality spring assortments that stand out from the spring classics market.
