Vriesea are becoming more popular in the
United States. I’ve started to see them more often -- in gift shops and florists (and even my local grocery store). To me, they are plants that add flash and color without being needy indoors.
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is group editor – grower, Greenhouse Management & Production and Nursery Management & Production.
Corn. Bak has vrieseas in many colors. One of the more popular is Energy, which has a yellow and orange inflorescence. The inflorescence resembles a flame or candle on this aptly named cultivar.
Corn. Bak recommends starting plants in 4-inch pots from size 83 plugs. They can be finished in 4- to 6-inch pots.
Minimum night temperature is 64°F, while minimum day temperatures are 68°F. Plants finish in 15-18 months.
For more: Corn. Bak B.V., 011 (31) 75-687-38-53; www.bromelia.com.
Basil ‘Sweet Dani’
One plant class will always score a homerun with gardeners: herbs. Even if people don’t actually cook with them, these plants add attractive, fragrant foliage and sometimes flowers to balconies, landscape beds and even indoors.
One of the best-known herbs is ‘Sweet Dani’ lemon basil. It’s a Ball Horticultural Co. offering and an All-America Selections winner from 1998. For chefs, it produces up to 75 percent more essential oils than standard varieties. For gardeners, plants flower 15 days longer than the standards.
‘Sweet Dani’ is more of a culinary herb with the bonus of being ornamental.
Plants reach a mature garden height of 24-30 inches. Leaves release a lemony fragrance when crushed.
For plug production, the growing medium should be at near saturation. Basil is very sensitive to high salts, particularly ammonium, during germination.
Reduce moisture once radicals emerge. Allow the medium to dry out slightly for the best rooting. Irrigate early so foliage dries by nightfall.
One trick in Stage 3 to help to control plant height and promote root growth is to let the medium dry thoroughly between watering. Avoid permanent wilting. You can also use DIF, especially during the first two hours after sunrise to control plant height.
For growing on, light levels should be as high as possible.
For more: Ball Horticultural Co., (800) 879-BALL; www.ballseed.com.
Lavender Aromatico series
Another plant genus gaining increased interest from consumers is Lavandula. These perennials offer fragrance, flowers and soft color to borders and landscape beds.
The Aromatico series from Syngenta Flowers is vegetative and has two colors, Silver and Blue. These L. angustifolia cultivars have compact, tiny silvery foliage. Flowers are held above the foliage on 14- to 20-inch-long stems. Flowers appear in summer and fall -- two to three weeks earlier than other varieties.
Plants do best in 1-gallon or larger containers.
The series is best grown under long days. Propagation mist should be eliminated as soon as possible until roots are fully developed. Low light is important at this time, too.
After roots are developed, it’s important not to over-saturate the growing medium. A dry cycle is best for root development. Plants can be pinched as necessary for good shape.
Maintain 55°F-65°F at night and 65°F-75°F during the day. An average daily temperature of 70°F is ideal. High temperatures are best for good growth. Grow plants cool after they’re well-developed for the best foliage and flower color. Long days promote flowering. Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9.
For more: Syngenta Flowers, (630) 969-6300; http://greendemon.net.
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