The Ohio State University 2005 Mixed Container Trial Annette Duetz, Dr. Claudio Pasian, and Dr. Peter Konjoian See results and photos in the tables of this article INTRODUCTION It was the third year we conducted Container Trials here at The Ohio State University, Columbus Campus. Mixed Combinations and Monocultures (single cultivars per pot) were evaluated. Combination designs were provided by the participating companies. We also designed "OSU Custom Combinations" which utilized plant material from all participating companies. Individual cultivar components were grown in the monoculture containers as well. Plants were evaluated on a monthly basis in July, August, and September by the Trials Leader and Trials Manager. Consumer Preference evaluations were also conducted monthly by our 16 member team of Master Gardeners. Results presented in this report are from those Consumer Preference evaluations. GENERAL INFORMATION Transplanting was done on May 26 - June 3, 2005 in 12” diameter plastic containers for Single Cultivar (Monocultures) or 16" diameter plastic container for combination plantings using MetroMix 360 with coconut core as substrate. Pots were located outdoors in full sun. A preventative drench of Plantshield was applied to plants before transplanting. There were 2 replications for the monocultures and 3 replications for most combination plantings. Plants were watered using an irrigation system on a timer. Length of irrigation time was adjusted as needed. Containers were fertilized two weeks after transplanting and then at one week intervals for the first 3 weeks with a 20-10-20 water soluble fertilizer at a rate of 200 ppm N. Fertilization was then reduced to once a month intervals for remainder of trial period. Evaluations. Two types of evaluation were conducted: a) OSU evaluation. Conducted by the trial leader and the trial manager. They evaluated for Balance and Dominance (see below) and the performance of each individual species/cultivar in the combination. These evaluations were performed on July 7, July 28, and September 7. b) Consumer preference evaluation. Performed on August 9 and September 8 by our group of Master Gardener volunteers. Overall appearance and aesthetics of the containers were rated on a personal preference basis. Evaluation Criteria: Ratings were based on a 1 - 5 scale. 1 = poor/not acceptable 2 = fair 3 = good 4 = very good 5= excellent For the mixed containers only, we used an index called “Balance/Dominanc” of the combination. This index is a descriptor of the dominance of a particular component of the mix. In other words: Is the one or more species “taking over”? This index is not related to aesthetics. It also was evaluated in a 1 to 5 scale. Design Codes for Mixed Containers: Two companies sent us designs and plants to be evaluated: Ecke Ranch and Bodger Botanicals. In addition, Fischer USA sent us geraniums to be incorporated in some designs. Our group of Master Gardener Volunteers developed their own designs utilizing plants from the above mentioned companies. - Ecke Ranch: E1 through E1 - Bodger Botanicals: B1 through B7 - Ohio State University: OSU1 through OSU15   RESULTS A. OSU Evaluations The best performing combinations with an overall season average in the range of 4.67 to 4 (on a 5 point scale) were: B6, OSU6, OSU11, E8, OSU4, OSU12, OSU14, and E2.  Also performing very well with ratings in the 4 to 3.75 ranges were: OSU7, B3, B5, and OSU2. TABLE 1. Evaluation of mixed containers: “Balance/Dominance” of the combination and evaluation of each individual plant in the combination. Sorted by company and label ID. TABLE 2. Single cultivar evaluations (monocultures). The best performing monocultures with an overall season average in the range of 4.8 to 4 (on a 5 point scale) were: Coleus ‘Kiwi Herman’ Carex testacea Angelonia ‘Carita Purpla’ Coleus ‘Show & Tell’ Helicrysum ‘Silver Spike’ Coleus ‘Big Blond’ Helicrysum silver Cineraria serecio ’Silver Feather’ Coleus Stained Glasswork ‘Emerald& Snow’ Argyranthemum ‘Sunlight’ Ipomea Sweet Caroline ‘Red’ Agastache Acapulco ‘Orange’ Petunia Tiny Tunia ‘Rose’ Petunia Blanket ‘Purple’ Coleus ‘Midnight Train’ Portulaca Yubi Summer Joy ‘Deep Yellow’ Ipomea Sweet Caroline ‘Bronze’ Scaevola ‘Fancy’ Sanvitalia ‘Solaris’ Argyranthemum ‘Metro White’ Petunia Trumpet ‘White’ and Petunia Tuny Tunia ‘Double Blue Ice’ B. Consumer Preference Results presented are the average consumer preference ratings per month in August, and September, with an overall season average. The best performing combinations with an overall season average in the range of 4.61 to 4 (on a 5 point scale) were: OSU1, OSU6, E8, OSU4, and OSU9. TABLE 3. Consumer evaluations for each combination sorted by company and overall average.