Cultivar Trials of Bedding Plants

TEST LOCATIONS

Department of Horicultural Science, Display and
Trial Garden, St. Paul

A horticulture teaching and display garden was established in 1977. As its primary function, it serves as a learning laboratory for horticulture and landscape architecture students. In fact, five different undergraduate classes use it as an active part of their studies, by designing, constructing, propagating plants and planting the Garden. But as the numbers of cultivars being displayed and tested have increased over the years, the site has become increasingly popular with the public.

The Garden is located at the north end of the St. Paul Campus, between the major cluster of campus buildings and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station fields, at the intersection of Gortner and Folwell Avenues. Its approximately 1.5 acres are divided between a woodland garden, a prairie garden and an annual-perennial flower garden. In 1993 and 1994, following a new master plan, the Garden took on a new look and improved function. An outdoor classroom and an extensive perennial garden were added. Additional renovations in 1995 include the installation of a sustainable landscape carrel and a turfgrass trial area to complement the ongoing annual trials.

Though the Garden is open for inspection at all times, parking in the near vicinity is limited during times when classes are in session on the campus.

In 1994, most cultivars were grown from seeds or cuttings in on-site greenhouses, seeding dates varying with plant type. A few cultivars were purchased from local growers. Seedlings were transplanted to the field between May 19 and May 31. A 6–24–24 granular fertilizer was applied at planting. Several mid-season 20–20–20 liquid fertilizer applications were made. No pinching was practiced, but pest control, overhead irrigation and mechanical/hand/chemical weeding were applied as needed.

The 1994 St. Paul area growing season was 198 days, much longer than the annual 158-day average. The last spring frost was recorded on April 30 and the first fall frost on October 26. Rainfall during the growing season was 21.63 inches, which was about equal to the annual average of 21.2 inches for that period. Temperatures were 2°F above average.

West Central Experiment Station, Morris

From 1910 through 1963, the experiment station at Morris shared facilities with the West Central School of Agriculture. When that school became the University of Minnesota, Morris, the West Central Experiment Station moved to a new adjacent site.

Under the direction of the station horticulturist, plant trials that were begun before 1955 were continued at the new site. These included trials for small fruits, home garden vegetables, soil conservation plant materials and annual flower cultivars, and USDA single row field windbreak test plantings.

More than 500 cultivars are on view at the West Central Experiment Station in a typical year. Program objectives include evaluating flower bloom, size, color, frost resistance and quality characteristics; evaluating plant growth, habit and disease characteristics; and identifying cultivars most suited for western Minnesota conditions.

All the cultivars were grown in on-site greenhouses, the seeding date varying with plant type. In 1994, seedlings were transplanted to the field between May 25 and June 2, into triangular beds, ten plants per plot.

Greenhouse growth and development were normal, and 1994 field performance was average. An early July wet period reduced growth and development, leading to average results on some cultivars. It caused poor plant performance in most carnations, celosia, godetia, lisianthus, lobelia and salvia. Above average ratings were given to many ageratum, begonias, pansies, petunias and all impatiens. Ratings for Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria’ and ‘Argent White’ continue to be very good for the past three years.

The 1994 growing season was 173 days (average is 156 days) with the last spring frost on May 5 and the first fall frost on October 25. Rainfall between May 1 and September 30 was 13.92 inches, which was 1.73 inches below the 15.65-inch season average. Temperatures were above average in May, June and September, but below average in July and August.

An annual event at the West Central Experiment Station is Horticulture Night, usually held each year in July. For more information call (612) 589-1711 or fax (612) 589-4870.

North Central Experiment Station, Grand Rapids

In 1895, the state legislature provided funds to establish several agricultural experiment stations across Minnesota. One of the first was established in 1896 at Grand Rapids. Its first horticulturist came to the station in 1926. Early work focused on small fruits, vegetables, and an arboretum.

In recent years, work has expanded to include blueberries and commercial vegetable and fruit crops. Management studies evaluate cultural practices for optimum fruit and vegetable production in northern Minnesota. Annual flower trials began in 1965, and have become a focal point for public tours. More than 400 cultivars are reviewed each year. Program objectives include evaluating flower bloom, size, color, frost resistance and quality characteristics; evaluating plant growth, habit and disease characteristics; and identifying cultivars suited for northern Minnesota conditions.

Cultivars are grown in on-site greenhouses; seeding date varies with plant type. In 1994, all seedlings were transplanted to the field between June 20 and 27, into rows 4 feet apart, with ten plants per plot 1 foot apart. Fertilizer was broadcast at planting (400 pounds per acre of 20-10-10) as well as applied as a liquid starter drench (9-45-15). On July 6 and August 3, plots were banded with 20-10-10 at 200 pounds per acre. Insecticide was applied to marigolds, petunias and chrysanthemums (7/18, 8/4, 8/24) to control aster leafhopper. Overhead irrigation and mechanical or hand weeding was applied as needed.

Greenhouse growth and development were normal. Overall field performance was average. The wettest June on record (11.65 inches) delayed planting and early development. It also resulted in considerable disease problems. The bloom peaked in mid-August for petunias, but more frost-tolerant types like chrysanthemums continued to bloom well into late October. Kale, petunias (especially 1995 All-America Selections ‘Purple Wave’), delphiniums and chrysanthemums were among the better types.

The 1994 growing season was 139 days long (average is 110 days) with the last spring frost on May 10 and the first fall frost on September 27. Rainfall between May 1 and September 30 was 20.6 inches, which was 2.6 inches above average. Temperatures were above average in June, September and October. Temperatures in July and August were slightly below average.

Events at North Central Experiment Station include Horticulture Day (the last Wednesday in August) and several special horticultural group tours. For more information call (218) 327-4490 or fax (218) 327-4126.

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