2005 ANNUAL TRIALS
COLUMBUS Campus

In Ground Trials


by Annette Duetz and Dr. Claudio Pasian
Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
The Ohio State University

Today we present results about Coleus and Impatiens

See results and photos in the tables below

2005 was a very busy year for the trials. Since the fall of 2004 the OSU Annual Trials have grown from about 4,000 sq ft to 13,000 sq ft in one growing season. The number of beds grew from 15 in 2004 to 58 in 2005. It was our second year of trialing using the in-ground beds at the corner of Woody Hayes and Fyffe Court, adjacent to our Departmental buildings. This area is highly visible on the Columbus campus. Almost all of the beds are in full sun. Another portion of our trials is located south of Howlett Hall using our seven raised beds and along the Howlett Hall greenhouses in in-ground beds which were used this year for the first time. 

General Information
Seeded entries were sown in March to early April for us by David Cuthbert at Darby Creek Growers, Orient, OH. They were then transplanted in our departmental greenhouses along with the majority of the vegetative entries in mid-April into Dillen 4 inch side square plastic containers.
Unrooted cuttings were received on March 10 and 11 and immediately planted in 4 inch side square plastic containers.  After all plants were treated with PlantShield (5oz/100gal) once, they were transplanted outside into the trial beds between May 16 and May 26.

In general, 9 plants per cultivar were trialed.  The distance between plants was 1.0, 1.25, or 1.5 feet depending on cultivar’s growth habit.

Watering and Fertilization
The new beds were fertilized once prior to planting with a 17:5:17 Peters water soluble fertilizer at a 200 ppm N concentration via a Dosatron injector.
After planting, plants were watered as needed by hand (hose) and/or overhead sprinkler. Post-planting fertilization was done with a 17:5:17 Peters water soluble fertilizer at a rate of 200 ppm N via a Dosatron injector. Fertilizer was applied at 2 - 3 week intervals through July especially in the newly established beds.

Weather Conditions
Prior to planting season conditions were wet and relatively cool, hindering the preparetion of the new beds. After planting, conditions turned dry with normal to high temperatures. Overall, with the exception for the time when remnants of Hurricane Katrina passed by, conditions stayed hot and very dry in Columbus.

Pest and Disease Problems
No problems were observed with petunias.  However, several Calibrachoa cultivars had typical iron deficiency symptoms due to high soil pH.  Needless to say, rabbits and squirrels are constant guest at our trials but don’t seem to cause any noticeable damage.

Evaluation Dates
Evaluations were performed on a monthly basis beginning approximately one month after transplanting. This year, plant characteristic ratings were performed by the Trials Leader and Trials Manager on June15, July 7 and 27, and September 7.

Evaluation Criteria
Ratings were based on a 1 - 5 scale: 1 = poor/not acceptable, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent.

Plants were evaluated for the following characteristics: 

  • Flower Number : 1 = Low, 5 = Very floriferous
  • Flower Quality : Aesthetics, color, health and appearance
  • Foliage/Plant Vigor : Vegetative vigor, aesthetics/color, health, and appearance
  • Plant Uniformity :  1 = Quality is variable from plant to plant, 5 = Similar quality between all plants
  • Overall:  Overall rating for all plants in the grouping, taking all the above aspects into consideration.

Consumer Preference Evaluations 
In addition to the plant evaluation conducted by the Trial Leader and Trial manager, our Team of Master Gardeners volunteers (comprised of 16 individuals this season) evaluated the entries on June 23, August 18, and September 12. An "Overall" rating on a 1 - 5 scale (with 5 = excellent) was given per entry. This evaluation was based on a "personal preference".

 

RESULTS

Trial results are presented in the following groups of tables.

  • TABLE 1- Consumer Preference Evaluation for Coleus (Complete with PHOTOS of the individual cultivars)
  • TABLE 2 - Consumer Preference Evaluation for Impatiens (Complete with PHOTOS of the individual cultivars)
  • TABLE 3 - Early JULY Evaluation of Coleus Characteristics
  • TABLE 4 - Early JULY Evaluation of Impatiens Characteristics
  • TABLE 5 - Late JULY Evaluation of Coleus Characteristics
  • TABLE 6 – Late JULY Evaluation of ImpatiensCharacteristics
  • TABLE 7 – SEPTEMBER Evaluation of Coleus Characteristics
  • TABLE 8 – SEPTEMBER Evaluation of Impatiens Characteristics

PHOTOS: Individual cultivar photos can be accessed from Table 1 and 2.

Take a look at our trial area: PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2, PHOTO 3, PHOTO 4,

 

The BEST COLEOUS & IMPATIENS of 2005

Top Overall Season Coleus in our Plant Characteristic Evaluations
The following cultivars received the highest overall season ratings given by the trial leader and trial manager:

  • 'Drop Strawberry'
  • 'Brown Sugar'
  • 'Pinaple'
  • 'Freckless'
  • 'Giant Duckfoot'

Top Performer Coleus in the Consumer Preference Evaluations

The top entries as rated by our Master Gardeners were:

  • 'New Orleans Red '
  • 'Sunset'
  • 'Giant Duckfoot'
  • 'Kiwi Fern'
  • Drop Strawberry'

Top Overall Season Impatiens in our Plant Characteristic Evaluations
The following cultivars received the highest overall season ratings given by the trial leader and trial manager:

  • N.G. 'Harmony Dark Lavender'
  •          Experimental 41752091 & 41747091
  • Double 'Musica Orange Glow'
  •              'Musica Orange'
  •              'Musica Bicolor Red'
  • Wallerana 'Candy lavender'
  •                   'Fanciful White'

Top Performer Impatiens in the Consumer Preference Evaluations

The top entries rated by our Master Gardeners volunteers were:

  • N.G. 'Experimental 41752091, 41747091, & 41750091
  •          'Tamarinda True Pink'
  • Double 'Musica Orange'
  •              'Musica Pink Energy'
  •              'Musica Dark Pink'
  • Wallerana 'Fancifull White'
  •                   'Candy Apple Blossom'
  •                   'Candy Lavender'

Acknowledgments
Again, a big thanks to David Cuthbert of Darby Creek Growers, Orient, OH for sowing and growing on the seeded entries for this year's trial. We thank Bioworks for the donation of PlantShield, Dillen Plastics for the donation of containers, and Kurtz Brothers Inc. for the donation of soil amendment.


We would like to acknowledge the help of our fantastic Team of Master Gardeners - Caye Aiello, Roberta and Bill Conner, Mike Fribley, Joyce Gravlee, John Heinz, Barb House, Ken Kotch, Kathy Kranz, Marlin Languis, Denise McCall, Anne Mischo, Judy Norten, Brooke Plummer, Marilyn Stahl, Mary Straney, Juliet Taylor and Bev Vogely. Their hard work, dedication and expert input, especially during this time of expansion, to this project are truly appreciated.

Thanks also to David Snodgrass, Greenhouse Coordinator for his expert assistance. Mike Pfeiffer and the Mayhew Scholars for mowing and Pam Sharrett with her turf knowledge and many supplies, Mark Schmittgen and Jill Taylor for lending us their time and equipment and to our student workers Bobby Wilson and Krista Kamban.

Last but certainly not least, we thank the following companies for their participation in this year's trials:

BALL SEED COMPANY = http://ballhort.com
BODGER = http://www.bodger.com/
DANZIGER =http://www.danziger.co.il
ECKE =http://www.ecke.com
FIDES =http://www.fidesplants.com
FLORANOVA =http://www.floranova.co.uk/
GRIMES =http://www.grimesseeds.com/
JACKSON & PERKINS = www.surfinia.com
MCGREGOR = http://www.mcgregorplantsales.com/
PANAMERICAN SEEDS = http://www.panamseed.com
PROVEN WINNERS= http://www.provenwinners.com