tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30566573719854290762024-03-19T04:48:55.636-04:00Gary's Specialty PlantsGary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-43721577780900947392024-02-25T19:52:00.000-05:002024-02-25T19:52:37.363-05:00Will this Miniature Achimenes keep flowering?<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrjYh2Aps8bkK5nSg24XisM7Csnq4QeZeNeWQ7BoV71KhQmamDYrSNYXV9qclMsPnoEij6uwaoWs5AvC2M5YH2AOOAq6lGrcyBkQYfDNp-mLevZ8Ks7lSYEgtgjdma4-qYOadTCz1X28OJcQybveUfqoGxtB_JT8NOmHxGDYCW6h9KbxyPX_zHQDD47P0/s1365/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20Buds,%20Feb%2024,%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1365" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrjYh2Aps8bkK5nSg24XisM7Csnq4QeZeNeWQ7BoV71KhQmamDYrSNYXV9qclMsPnoEij6uwaoWs5AvC2M5YH2AOOAq6lGrcyBkQYfDNp-mLevZ8Ks7lSYEgtgjdma4-qYOadTCz1X28OJcQybveUfqoGxtB_JT8NOmHxGDYCW6h9KbxyPX_zHQDD47P0/w640-h476/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20Buds,%20Feb%2024,%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette, Buds, Feb 25, 2024</span><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> <span> </span><span> The common question at garden centers is: Will this keep flowering?</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> Commercial flowering plants are grown to their peak capability of flowering so the homeowner can have a pretty decorative plant to take home.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> Most flowering plants sold in flower have buds that should continue to open in the house. Some home gardeners give up too soon.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> The Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' growing at my West window has lost its original four red flowers.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> This is my test to see if the three buds at the top will open.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> I'll report what happens.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-86593623328880246992024-02-04T21:08:00.000-05:002024-02-04T21:08:16.413-05:00Begonia in Terrarium or Not?<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwZU5Obqw-SxsTXsJPNDkxUej2pclNIs8rCJMm7xBgyJHRqY2yBbr7cuUOztDI-bfLNnSioHTBeUD1lHoLzEP_DYrS-njbUmQrSvtiGIRo9h6nN1FaXVwpZUh2wG4Qdqiyoh7ysnhrp0r3h3KhJ_0D4KE-5Ra5W71l-XtABiR4XgKJLwffdyVzhkgj555/s1442/Million%20dollar%20Begonia%204%20Feb%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1442" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwZU5Obqw-SxsTXsJPNDkxUej2pclNIs8rCJMm7xBgyJHRqY2yBbr7cuUOztDI-bfLNnSioHTBeUD1lHoLzEP_DYrS-njbUmQrSvtiGIRo9h6nN1FaXVwpZUh2wG4Qdqiyoh7ysnhrp0r3h3KhJ_0D4KE-5Ra5W71l-XtABiR4XgKJLwffdyVzhkgj555/w640-h632/Million%20dollar%20Begonia%204%20Feb%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Begonia with vigor.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> This Begonia is an unnamed hybrid of the cross of (B. malachosticta X B. amphioxus).</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> Any reference to it on the internet says that it must be grown in a terrarium.</span> They said that about amphioxus also, but I proved that not to be necessary. Hundreds have been sold and they do just fine out on your windowsill.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> I'm betting that this newly released clone will be an exceptional plant that will survive in any good household environment.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: large;"> No known name is available, so I will call it 'Painted Lizard'.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> No terrarium required.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-38206560458597705302024-02-04T20:44:00.000-05:002024-02-04T20:44:50.217-05:00Roosters are Nearby<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuOk-hwRTv3Z93QTbRuxIVPTajetbyk54oCopIPxafBzoZ4idO5-j3G5HsqsDDImqES5mG9dkLy3TG9cqBsM-9LgLsb8TUPYkEfJME_H03qpBJDtGoN0pGwbvPDKvbvX_NAgR3ZMypOqgz4AiBmhmDJEz4I8REa-rdsPPR0gtdbs2Up-GT8070DWSjvI4/s1464/Roosters%20in%20the%20sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1464" height="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuOk-hwRTv3Z93QTbRuxIVPTajetbyk54oCopIPxafBzoZ4idO5-j3G5HsqsDDImqES5mG9dkLy3TG9cqBsM-9LgLsb8TUPYkEfJME_H03qpBJDtGoN0pGwbvPDKvbvX_NAgR3ZMypOqgz4AiBmhmDJEz4I8REa-rdsPPR0gtdbs2Up-GT8070DWSjvI4/w640-h549/Roosters%20in%20the%20sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Roosters on Guard</span><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Sometimes you need a Sunny Rooster to watch over you.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-11050009658890111852024-01-23T08:17:00.000-05:002024-01-23T08:17:53.132-05:00And then what happened?<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuK6zKUCEoOBLG4HJd9edqIilUcTyffKO_ben9-70bp70yAPsISdxp3PAHQWL_ASvkFGuHBloMz737ym5eTzOvHcqNSG5PzSDp6vmDDefBXva0hZwh8Jc4edIuuJgKzetuzrkxTJsxMvzv7MVK_QqelsYVyvMv_Qj0AKWEMgZ_qhiCUvXp5gQkYJfNPad/s1512/Achimenes%20'Beyond'%20at%20window,%20Jan%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1512" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuK6zKUCEoOBLG4HJd9edqIilUcTyffKO_ben9-70bp70yAPsISdxp3PAHQWL_ASvkFGuHBloMz737ym5eTzOvHcqNSG5PzSDp6vmDDefBXva0hZwh8Jc4edIuuJgKzetuzrkxTJsxMvzv7MVK_QqelsYVyvMv_Qj0AKWEMgZ_qhiCUvXp5gQkYJfNPad/w640-h516/Achimenes%20'Beyond'%20at%20window,%20Jan%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Beyond' - Jan 13, 2024</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JGVDeJBvXhilqN0qJrsI02QV2OgFcgsnN7ZdhjwoQO4c2FOtdPrqGHqIrDXldz-04JyfOHdU8o2ZW0fpKEQVPLLtL-L2A1s1fw3LGEZ9KkU-SdZdYF7_XQWkHgOmZmUy7qe-xw-bZZYQcjKOV_m0Ug1r2zSJwIPjSXA_5TNa15cEbDWxjuNoRtqj-KOq/s1464/Achimenes%20'Beyond'%20at%20window,%20Jan%2022,%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1306" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JGVDeJBvXhilqN0qJrsI02QV2OgFcgsnN7ZdhjwoQO4c2FOtdPrqGHqIrDXldz-04JyfOHdU8o2ZW0fpKEQVPLLtL-L2A1s1fw3LGEZ9KkU-SdZdYF7_XQWkHgOmZmUy7qe-xw-bZZYQcjKOV_m0Ug1r2zSJwIPjSXA_5TNa15cEbDWxjuNoRtqj-KOq/w570-h640/Achimenes%20'Beyond'%20at%20window,%20Jan%2022,%202024.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Beyond' - Jan 23, 2024<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> This is not a trick.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> The pictures are 10 days apart. How is xA. 'Beyond ' holding up at the windowsill?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-31589792292258359522024-01-15T08:07:00.003-05:002024-01-15T09:46:28.286-05:00Achimenantha 'Beyond' must be seen<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJPKHaluq9IsbXucRlCwA_JV60SZBU5g6xRPYubQ8ck6jx7vLnAmhSyVD3ta2thsCTJWwOEma9dhoI5cSxEOa6O76SQQPuHNwKMviVaDElTncYCl8qr90kwMlAWO4e2mO5eG5qOcrrmCkz42sCPO65Jvej-n6e3CZHMKFuEzBRyCDEmNiqZ-gqbkF63Pr/s1512/Achimenes%20'Beyond'%20at%20window,%20Jan%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1512" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJPKHaluq9IsbXucRlCwA_JV60SZBU5g6xRPYubQ8ck6jx7vLnAmhSyVD3ta2thsCTJWwOEma9dhoI5cSxEOa6O76SQQPuHNwKMviVaDElTncYCl8qr90kwMlAWO4e2mO5eG5qOcrrmCkz42sCPO65Jvej-n6e3CZHMKFuEzBRyCDEmNiqZ-gqbkF63Pr/w640-h516/Achimenes%20'Beyond'%20at%20window,%20Jan%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Achimenantha 'Beyond'<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> We knew Achimenantha 'Beyond' was a very good Achimenes X Smithiantha hybrid created by Serge Saliba, premier hybridizer from Romania.</span></span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> We had seen the big pretty pink flowers last year, but how to grow it for sale?</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> A few pots happened to get in the mix with our Miniature Achimenes project under LED lights with 16 hours day length. We learned that the plants grow and flower extremely short. Can this be a good thing? Maybe an inch taller?</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> We have limited stock, having started with one rhizome. The scaling method will give us more.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> A Little Spot of Color - There is great potential here.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-61707752664106075492024-01-09T20:19:00.000-05:002024-01-09T20:19:18.994-05:00The Million Dollar Begonia<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixPq_GBd0OnGTRPjEqFokIbb-Hr6W00vUzr2iDUQay8KWDlKbDZGo5JZL4HImJG-V9Xex-mtrN0NXloEQVE06aHjYX_lpTNWb4OFbR1eudDI7y3od1wA3GY6w1JBFEa1XPtJ4k6BeKiuhyphenhypheneNORGDGz7u05ULztVPW4uHQrIDblEYzaMCU4KBQgEEcp3Sq/s1418/Begonia%20'Painted%20Lizard'%20-%20malachosticta%20X%20amphoxious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1418" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixPq_GBd0OnGTRPjEqFokIbb-Hr6W00vUzr2iDUQay8KWDlKbDZGo5JZL4HImJG-V9Xex-mtrN0NXloEQVE06aHjYX_lpTNWb4OFbR1eudDI7y3od1wA3GY6w1JBFEa1XPtJ4k6BeKiuhyphenhypheneNORGDGz7u05ULztVPW4uHQrIDblEYzaMCU4KBQgEEcp3Sq/w640-h602/Begonia%20'Painted%20Lizard'%20-%20malachosticta%20X%20amphoxious.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> You heard it here first --- This Begonia hybrid, (malachosticta X amphioxus), will be a successful commercial houseplant.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> Since none have been sold yet, this is a wild </span>prediction. Check back in 3-4 years to see what happens.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"> The one parent --- amphioxus, has proven to be good houseplant. It has shiny pointed leaves with pink spots. We call it 'Spotted Lizard' --- It's pointed on both ends.</span></span><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> I'm trying to collect any hybrid with amphioxus in it. This is the best one so far. It grows quickly, branches, and has bigger leaves than amphioxus. Until a hybrid name shows up, we will call it 'Painted Lizard'.</span><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> I have evaluated a lot of new plants over the years and I am betting on this one.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> There will be 1-2 years of stock build up and testing. We will sell it in the third and fourth year.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"> Hide and watch.</span></span><br /></span></span></p><p><span> </span><br /></p><p><span> </span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-90708584049169364552024-01-06T16:13:00.000-05:002024-01-06T16:13:31.995-05:00Less than Perfect Vietnamese Violet in Flower<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vpooRUYViGy1Pbu0uJ8oRDZnRTV-bGdeKS5WdHf5lmK_eZwtfkuJE9jeI6nn8HxztiNC4NYXygy5epOxQONRZ0-BIzITHxcF4F9InQWuUJt3__MRz-qOrtCu23Eom5VkI-TXUmVzldV8Ej6uI46_tPM6leE6Rv7qvgo2ConWPjxRx4dCSXMV_57z0H1J/s3024/Vietnamese%20Violet%20by%20Scott,%20Jan%202024.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vpooRUYViGy1Pbu0uJ8oRDZnRTV-bGdeKS5WdHf5lmK_eZwtfkuJE9jeI6nn8HxztiNC4NYXygy5epOxQONRZ0-BIzITHxcF4F9InQWuUJt3__MRz-qOrtCu23Eom5VkI-TXUmVzldV8Ej6uI46_tPM6leE6Rv7qvgo2ConWPjxRx4dCSXMV_57z0H1J/w400-h300/Vietnamese%20Violet%20by%20Scott,%20Jan%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vietnamese Violet in Flower</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">I always want to show plants in show quality conditions, but that is not real life.<br /><br />This Vietnamese Violet (<a href="https://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2023/05/vietnamese-violets-are-coming-soon.html">Primulina tamiana)</a> is not worrying about what it should look like, it just knows that it's supposed to keep flowering.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-36363114985515852802023-09-05T07:48:00.000-04:002023-09-05T07:48:04.433-04:00Lipstick plants that flower --- A New Concept<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_LDc2mHI03q1Vfv6W1z7rP0Om60FF403ofAnq2L5XGUIa50weCTl-c17AcH4pNSMhS-dMJjOC1MjEe-Tvy7sX3drVpcz2K7cTDcuf-8HYMN28Udlmn1cfPC0yegbOhS7Xd2-DKGw3qGfJxflns_K-aXTStOcoP7LDxoq14v9lH4Rbf3IDuSHGMbUEra2/s1702/Aeschynanthus%20multi%20flower,%20Sep%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="1510" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_LDc2mHI03q1Vfv6W1z7rP0Om60FF403ofAnq2L5XGUIa50weCTl-c17AcH4pNSMhS-dMJjOC1MjEe-Tvy7sX3drVpcz2K7cTDcuf-8HYMN28Udlmn1cfPC0yegbOhS7Xd2-DKGw3qGfJxflns_K-aXTStOcoP7LDxoq14v9lH4Rbf3IDuSHGMbUEra2/w568-h640/Aeschynanthus%20multi%20flower,%20Sep%202023.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Aeschynanthus with many flowers and buds<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lipstick
plants that flower --- A New concept.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The lipstick plant is the best
example of a common name put to good use.
Nobody can say or spell Aeschynanthus --- the Genus name.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Everyone would buy a lipstick plant
if they could see it in flower.
Thousands could be sold. The
problem is we don’t know how to make that happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The flowering response --- what
triggers flowering is elusive. Is it the
day length, the temperature or age. If
you know, tell me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Major commercial crops must perform
on schedule. Waiting for the lipsticks
to flower, soon eliminates them from production.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> This pictured plant has flowers up
and down the stems, We don’t know why?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I had collected many Aeschynanthus
varieties but this one just decided to flower.
Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> We will propagate it to see if
flowering can be duplicated on a branched plant.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p>
</p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-51520636373257934122023-08-20T16:01:00.000-04:002023-08-20T16:01:32.544-04:00You Need a Little Spot Of Color!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XrcgSj17SJlySXX9vBPhfb3CP_yGwtqRhxh_BYP6-5krnRM85KRt6xWZFeqCegqKIlviofnu_-amLN4geOPUjMn699BJPeJAy5Lwaomj3RbbilgzYKWUYp3F7brZuFoP_XCpY-PhFdPm5sMd46bWsyYmRbGC1-20_YpiWB8G6MrwH3LbTMB4MEW7trkk/s4032/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%203%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XrcgSj17SJlySXX9vBPhfb3CP_yGwtqRhxh_BYP6-5krnRM85KRt6xWZFeqCegqKIlviofnu_-amLN4geOPUjMn699BJPeJAy5Lwaomj3RbbilgzYKWUYp3F7brZuFoP_XCpY-PhFdPm5sMd46bWsyYmRbGC1-20_YpiWB8G6MrwH3LbTMB4MEW7trkk/w480-h640/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%203%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Spot of Color!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Your need a
Little Spot of Color<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Color is a major contributor to
life. Have you bought a new car
lately? With all the options built in,
the only decision is: What color do you
want? It they don’t have your color ,
it’s usually a deal breaker. My color is
blue, but I got red. The pandemic had
crippled the supply at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> A national brand selling plants, The
Sill, has a great saying: ‘Plants make
people happy!’<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Just as universal is: ‘Color makes
people happy!’ <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Our Miniature Achimenes need a brand
name to capture our new category of houseplant.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> ‘A Little Spot of Color’ is being
considered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> It describes our small Achimenes
exactly. Flowering plants in a 2.5” pot
are little spots of color.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Why would you want one and what would
you do with it?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Your desk is crowded. Get a pretty ceramic container that you can
just pop in a little flowering plant.
Replace it as needed. Always have
a little spot of color on your desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Place settings at a party, especially
bridal parties need a little spot of color at each setting. We get requests all the time for a small
plant that is the bridal shower gift --- a little spot of color like a mini-Violet,
Mini succulent or now a Miniature Achimenes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> This morning the internet told me
people want simple.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Sometimes you just want a little
spot of color.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-76574776613644438892023-08-15T19:55:00.000-04:002023-08-15T19:55:28.334-04:00Primulina - The Red Leaves Mystery<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="564" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER42S7ob6iN7tqaEqB3Q7qFQglQKY4EyQqq5FOMDryeGzbMX7ugkB2OCareCefLjnejeTwGiKrQzJubo2537N602KG3PVXvxcp2T_qo5A0TI89GnDsCIR-8SQQzIYezCkqxRlX9AOaHj4WuXKbDr-UPJuaRIe4YeavOYur7vRpZxwjz3-CjweiHauZQBR/w400-h361/Primulina%20'Loki'%20grown%20by%20Paul%20Susi,%2012%20Dec%202014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primulina 'Loki' By Paul -- Red leaves</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER42S7ob6iN7tqaEqB3Q7qFQglQKY4EyQqq5FOMDryeGzbMX7ugkB2OCareCefLjnejeTwGiKrQzJubo2537N602KG3PVXvxcp2T_qo5A0TI89GnDsCIR-8SQQzIYezCkqxRlX9AOaHj4WuXKbDr-UPJuaRIe4YeavOYur7vRpZxwjz3-CjweiHauZQBR/s564/Primulina%20'Loki'%20grown%20by%20Paul%20Susi,%2012%20Dec%202014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p> The mystery of Red leaves in the center of Primulina continues. There has been speculation about this for 10 years.</p><p><br /></p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> The working theory is that it is the light spectrum.</span><br /></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Or a combination of various environmental factors, like cold.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> If I find out and can duplicate it, I will not tell you. It will be a proprietary trade secret.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> It remains to be seen if the market will care. Will you buy a red center Primulina ahead of a green center Primulina? </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-64372168207575116262023-08-14T20:38:00.003-04:002023-08-14T20:46:29.654-04:00Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' - The best Miniature Achimenes<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2jDFV9VydfD2x0ju-_2qZ7hyYOlW8kOTdBsW_VD7KNWNVfI7KF05-5vXhHLARXB9_Einl3QCDrLAbuBeS7o65WD7cJu-qu_Jen0pweDwAwaWRuT7haAARXf6UUSv74xZFRu2Mp7dGhRaaVA8zf65iZAhsI-YHIFFu6XZGU9dFZZREEXGSdmhaEdAkj7F/s1885/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette',%20July%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1885" data-original-width="1292" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2jDFV9VydfD2x0ju-_2qZ7hyYOlW8kOTdBsW_VD7KNWNVfI7KF05-5vXhHLARXB9_Einl3QCDrLAbuBeS7o65WD7cJu-qu_Jen0pweDwAwaWRuT7haAARXf6UUSv74xZFRu2Mp7dGhRaaVA8zf65iZAhsI-YHIFFu6XZGU9dFZZREEXGSdmhaEdAkj7F/w438-h640/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette',%20July%202023.jpg" width="438" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette'</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Here is Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' on July 5, 2023 in preparation to go to the Gesneriad Convention in Richmond VA.</span><p></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> So what happens to the plants after the rough handling of the show tear-down and the travel home when it no longer matters if the plant is perfect?</span><br /></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Here it is, four weeks later.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvnrRbt0bHYqlmTvYcz4CkfmJV7yA5ee0Ji3y3BfAL1Lnh0Lzk959-Yy9Dw2MZXMF_Z7pJe7ecNaxEm1HUmtohzyuE3WmzGbKTE9dcxi8oDCb6bUpTgopyZoXv1z5AkOqFwy-h7Mbj4vnLGvCbEaBtqbRQwekphKjfgXDIV-h_WW9roEcxBwHNj25bIHo/s2796/Achimenes%20Petite%20Fadette%20four%20weeks%20later,%20Aug%2014,%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="2796" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvnrRbt0bHYqlmTvYcz4CkfmJV7yA5ee0Ji3y3BfAL1Lnh0Lzk959-Yy9Dw2MZXMF_Z7pJe7ecNaxEm1HUmtohzyuE3WmzGbKTE9dcxi8oDCb6bUpTgopyZoXv1z5AkOqFwy-h7Mbj4vnLGvCbEaBtqbRQwekphKjfgXDIV-h_WW9roEcxBwHNj25bIHo/w400-h296/Achimenes%20Petite%20Fadette%20four%20weeks%20later,%20Aug%2014,%202023.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' - Four weeks later<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-78468685246863112642023-07-28T06:42:00.000-04:002023-07-28T06:42:12.628-04:00Landisville Flower Trials --- My Groupies<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPUQcpu1XFN3ikjtnkbR46LSmfH-L3W4ZTMSrvLENTPKpZtq7aA6LptNQF5ioZRzk8QUV1iRwf6D6gsrHlwdm8pD5WqZp0GSWZOBOZKN3wV78z0ManidnmcU8sjq0-st3jDImgG6RC9Brh8isSN7KvmImsLtJ4idW8hDpxVhyNcYjHVV9Rp34PWYkJm8b/s1595/Landisville%20flower%20Trials%20Interns,%20Jul%2027,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1444" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPUQcpu1XFN3ikjtnkbR46LSmfH-L3W4ZTMSrvLENTPKpZtq7aA6LptNQF5ioZRzk8QUV1iRwf6D6gsrHlwdm8pD5WqZp0GSWZOBOZKN3wV78z0ManidnmcU8sjq0-st3jDImgG6RC9Brh8isSN7KvmImsLtJ4idW8hDpxVhyNcYjHVV9Rp34PWYkJm8b/w581-h640/Landisville%20flower%20Trials%20Interns,%20Jul%2027,%202023.jpg" width="581" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Interns at Landisville Flower Trials</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here are my Groupies at the Landisville Flower Trials Field
Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Penn State University Extension has its annual flower trials
at the farm in Landisville PA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National
seed companies and propagators of vegetative annuals enter their best and
newest varieties to be grown in big pots in the field for comparison. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This event is held for commercial growers and garden center
managers to meet to evaluate new varieties for next Spring sales.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was there as a vender looking for new customers for our
Mini Houseplants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was giving out pots of Vietnamese Violets and these Trial Garden
Interns stopped by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are to report
back to me of their success with my new category of plants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-5102363034852631452023-07-16T10:26:00.000-04:002023-07-16T10:26:41.907-04:00Where are your Vietnamese Violets?<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaMNigq844uh1B64vuJUbSpKipjJ6ZunwdxhVHl9B9Z_Qj7z96RTgTWa0AtWT_3XRFWDpNe1I66vqZkOKCHZatBGHAq24n7oaDDtNzewVy3lWqtSZ7IOmuSvXWyYbPa4p7o18b9rSSF0VLiunZfYszPqvuCf8HA_350OA-WdjXuWoVkj3kt0mpKTm2lmK/s1955/Metapetrocosmea%20tamiana%20Gesneriad%20Convention%20July%202023%20GGF.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1955" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaMNigq844uh1B64vuJUbSpKipjJ6ZunwdxhVHl9B9Z_Qj7z96RTgTWa0AtWT_3XRFWDpNe1I66vqZkOKCHZatBGHAq24n7oaDDtNzewVy3lWqtSZ7IOmuSvXWyYbPa4p7o18b9rSSF0VLiunZfYszPqvuCf8HA_350OA-WdjXuWoVkj3kt0mpKTm2lmK/w640-h202/Metapetrocosmea%20tamiana%20Gesneriad%20Convention%20July%202023%20GGF.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Metapetrocosmea tamiana - Gesneriad Convention 2023</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Where are your Vietnamese Violets?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vietnamese
Violets are new and a different category of houseplants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Metapetrocosmea
tamiana is the first and only member of the group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When and
where will there be more?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
two possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, there are descriptions of 5 species in the genius Metapetrocosmea. M. tamiana is the only one in cultivation in
the United States. Attempts are being made
to establish the other rare species.
Hybrids among these species are unknown, but the potential is there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second, a newly introduced plant, Michaelmoelleria vietnamensis
qualifies as a Vietnamese Violet. The
plant grows like an African Violet and is native to South Vietnam. The leaf markings are variable so different clones
can be named. A project has been started
to select and purify distinctive clones.
There is potential for hybrids between Metapetrocosmea and
Primulina. If that is successful, many interesting
plants will join as Vietnamese Violets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vietnamese Violets are coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-59421863643579772252023-07-15T14:26:00.000-04:002023-07-15T14:26:17.490-04:00The case for only one Achimenes<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUGZ1NKGecTVymtE2qHFD11AmApvcG9uvbH1aShRFEgMUzmfXix_68TNS2R7LgZIefGXXesunspP37oTtRFegoHaL8dbyq6f64zLxuAewMNAFKMSPW9mjJJm28CrXYJ2VrlSgUEZpZ4IEIKZZx8tmX9ShxEK8ae5rHE6jAgDZtjtIWsuwG3ugZx6-6i7m/s640/Achimenes%20'Blue%20Swan'%20by%20Barb,%20outside,%20July%2013,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUGZ1NKGecTVymtE2qHFD11AmApvcG9uvbH1aShRFEgMUzmfXix_68TNS2R7LgZIefGXXesunspP37oTtRFegoHaL8dbyq6f64zLxuAewMNAFKMSPW9mjJJm28CrXYJ2VrlSgUEZpZ4IEIKZZx8tmX9ShxEK8ae5rHE6jAgDZtjtIWsuwG3ugZx6-6i7m/w480-h640/Achimenes%20'Blue%20Swan'%20by%20Barb,%20outside,%20July%2013,%202023.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Blue Swan' grown outside by Barb, July 2023</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The case for promoting only one Achimenes for commercial
production.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Achimenes is a new, different category of flowering
houseplant that can go outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can it have any chance of success if there is only one
variety to pick from?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most plant introductions have a series of colors to choose
from.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If ‘Blue Swan’ is judged to be the best variety due to the
most important characteristic: Heat
Tolerance, will it be enough to establish Achimenes?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It has a sturdy upright habit with large blue flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Production schedules are still being worked out. By starting plants in the Winter, flowering
can begin mid-May in time for Spring/Summer growing. If ‘Blue Swan’ can be grown well, then other
colors can be added in 2-3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Marketing is often winner-take-all, so start with the very
best variety, brought to you by the leading Achimenes developer, Gary’s
Gesneriad Farm LLC,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Selected 10 years ago, ‘Blue Swan’ has proven itself in practical
testing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Blue Swan’ --- The one to have, if you’re only having one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-49741342252191559482023-05-21T19:56:00.000-04:002023-05-21T19:56:00.467-04:00Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' -- More Clues<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu8tYrkCbTvGeStJEut81Ys8VnO12wEfxEueHQoqe2RC0cWnf54jBrswH3_PwBYMUf5w_O1IXNI05WxBcUjg3TcrcncHzIoOTIv066FiByL55p0__SxDBKtMh1huTc98LezjkTgvGQqnrdmVfbRqTxopiQO8pVSne-HjH7tkn4_gjIFfZftBf7DiuVQ/s640/Streptocarpus%20'Jealous%20Heart'%20grown%20by%20Jon%20Lindstrom,%20Apr%202012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu8tYrkCbTvGeStJEut81Ys8VnO12wEfxEueHQoqe2RC0cWnf54jBrswH3_PwBYMUf5w_O1IXNI05WxBcUjg3TcrcncHzIoOTIv066FiByL55p0__SxDBKtMh1huTc98LezjkTgvGQqnrdmVfbRqTxopiQO8pVSne-HjH7tkn4_gjIFfZftBf7DiuVQ/w400-h300/Streptocarpus%20'Jealous%20Heart'%20grown%20by%20Jon%20Lindstrom,%20Apr%202012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' - 2013</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m searching for the most heat tolerant Streptocarpus, which,
in my judgement, is <a href="http://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2023/05/one-hundred-dollar-reward.html">‘Jealous Heart’</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve found a reference to this plant in Gesneriads, vol 63,
number 3, Third Quarter 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary Schaeffer
reported that ‘Jealous Heart’ was picked for the Challenge Class at the
Philadelphia Flower Show – 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I had forgotten that I was involved with that pick and grew
the starter plants that were distributed to the growers who entered to show
that they were the best home growers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The significance of this history is that we know that the
pool of people who know this variety is bigger than expected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Does anyone still have it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><br /></div>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-23820283852566405352023-05-19T19:55:00.000-04:002023-05-19T19:55:01.620-04:00One Hundred Dollar Reward<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9KNKQ1Zur6cEfxTsTGoCkVcZOtqMFoOXayEObrxLpzMQWEkkLEIQmVttUSqmSaOWysmkzGB8ZoCgMvgS5Q_Hd87AtHSAblUSmaoQ_M4M8VfvRPqJDic7pd2InbJcQYrVIGiAE50g9fdu53C7eCByVkqL7yKvGhKwYZGsPx4To99KxW5Kqul01zuYCQ/s640/Streptocarpus%20'Jealous%20Heart'%20grown%20by%20Jon%20Lindstrom,%20Apr%202012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9KNKQ1Zur6cEfxTsTGoCkVcZOtqMFoOXayEObrxLpzMQWEkkLEIQmVttUSqmSaOWysmkzGB8ZoCgMvgS5Q_Hd87AtHSAblUSmaoQ_M4M8VfvRPqJDic7pd2InbJcQYrVIGiAE50g9fdu53C7eCByVkqL7yKvGhKwYZGsPx4To99KxW5Kqul01zuYCQ/w400-h300/Streptocarpus%20'Jealous%20Heart'%20grown%20by%20Jon%20Lindstrom,%20Apr%202012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' - Heat tolerant</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Houseplants have multiple variable genetic characteristics. Flower color is the one we observe and manipulate
the most.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, heat tolerance is becoming more important. Your favorite houseplant may thrive in your
air-conditioned kitchen, but you may have never bought it if it was wilted down
in the heat of your Garden Center.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Streptocarpus is famous for wilting when growing in temperatures
above 85 degrees. They recover when
given cool, but it is an annoying trait.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-is-perfect-streptocarpus-of-future_11.html">Ten years ago</a>, I had identified a variety that never wilted
in the summer heat --- ‘Jealous Heart’ --- a pretty pink.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I had it, I would cross it onto many other pretty hybrids
to see if we can transfer heat tolerance into all Streptocarpus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I would like to have it back again. There is a one-hundred-dollar reward for its
return.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please email if you have one to share.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p>
<br /><br /> </p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-53965554000769920312023-05-19T09:12:00.000-04:002023-05-19T09:12:54.541-04:00Vietnamese Violets are Coming Soon<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5rElpPQEWBS_PzP9y4xWY_mzxC8YZGOhYu07cJI7tadNwJDzU6im73uPx_snglRXRXvm9lhkqThj0wDYez7KwQe_0g4JOhHKbcfF4yn-AjsGOVNC7AEqc72YsuaSRh19O4trvvWi22FLpJTdpeZ8fS3H28Lwe66ZjrrJ8-Rxw6RsvETJnA7nxkKkpA/s960/Metapetrocosmea%20tamiana%20from%20Dibley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5rElpPQEWBS_PzP9y4xWY_mzxC8YZGOhYu07cJI7tadNwJDzU6im73uPx_snglRXRXvm9lhkqThj0wDYez7KwQe_0g4JOhHKbcfF4yn-AjsGOVNC7AEqc72YsuaSRh19O4trvvWi22FLpJTdpeZ8fS3H28Lwe66ZjrrJ8-Rxw6RsvETJnA7nxkKkpA/w640-h640/Metapetrocosmea%20tamiana%20from%20Dibley.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vietnamese Violet - Perfectly grown</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you study entrepreneurship, the ultimate strategy is to
find a product that has no competition in a new category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You perfect production at a low cost,
introduce it to the market and dominate as the category King.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This picture shows what a perfectly grown <a href="http://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2023/03/vietnamese-violets-are-here.html#comment-form">Vietnamese Violet</a>
can look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my crop has half as
many flowers, I will call it a success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How did they do this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know how to grow Vietnamese violets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But every successful business has a secret
--- we see something that others don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I tell you how, then as they say: ‘The cat’s out of the
bag’.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-33570758159894124802023-04-14T06:04:00.000-04:002023-04-14T06:04:10.878-04:00Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress'<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJt5V2oUY5qupj_lLHG71iN0LLDHGbzMJdXZ0ARu6Rypob5DzBSN3u9A3uPoL8gm5-afsAeQ10Sqn0IvOPbx0s9ZyeF9AFEoMTRkf5ynXFhiB3b8rm5nDM3UmDD_pwvcFCp0Ec1cOcDs0GCUMYKtQC2XmG3HZq4ZGEKDt3DiTeNwj1LLY8-h3bpz8g/s640/Sinningia%20'Arkansas%20Empress'%20,%20GSP,%20May%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJt5V2oUY5qupj_lLHG71iN0LLDHGbzMJdXZ0ARu6Rypob5DzBSN3u9A3uPoL8gm5-afsAeQ10Sqn0IvOPbx0s9ZyeF9AFEoMTRkf5ynXFhiB3b8rm5nDM3UmDD_pwvcFCp0Ec1cOcDs0GCUMYKtQC2XmG3HZq4ZGEKDt3DiTeNwj1LLY8-h3bpz8g/w480-h640/Sinningia%20'Arkansas%20Empress'%20,%20GSP,%20May%202022.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress' - May 2022</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is there a
place for this flowering houseplant?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sinningia ‘Arkansas Empress’ is a
hybrid made by Dr Jon Lindstrom, University of Arkansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jon made many spectacular hybrids before his tragic
death to cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Arkansas Empress’ is a cross of
insularis X conspicua and from Jon’s notes on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonsplants/4518641061">Flickr</a> in 2010, it was his selection.
Apparently the F1 seedlings were variable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The plant gets big. You need a 6”
pot to hold it up and it takes time to flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The clusters of salmon tubular flowers make it worth the wait.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sinningias form tubers as a method of
survival so they have extra value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tuber can be kept from year to year to regrow and flower.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is a great ‘Inside Out’ houseplant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be started inside and then put out in
your patio planter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If the plant can be tied to Spring
flower sales, you will need a lot. The only practical method of massive propagation
is tissue culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It has been hidden out there in the hobby world in personal
collections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This plant should be seen,
but it would not be a casual project.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>New and pretty is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big and unknown is risky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be in the category of One.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Should this be done?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIqfMrZVEbkiqH06HYGpsTxD_UidNHqZzQdgmE4VfWsGrKcKtBunf3LcRsiLXujbJRJIOZg9fTswjGzZnQzs7z99n4fZQggCvE6n9NDSp0ZH5S1GOMRJjoGf43sU5wcv7gXdNEr299WIxkjcZR7aiWVbV2KpANLx6FSTMH4xHdhBC3e1GJ6pdlXRH0g/s2016/Sinningia%20'Arkansas%20Empress'%20GGF,%20Apr%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIqfMrZVEbkiqH06HYGpsTxD_UidNHqZzQdgmE4VfWsGrKcKtBunf3LcRsiLXujbJRJIOZg9fTswjGzZnQzs7z99n4fZQggCvE6n9NDSp0ZH5S1GOMRJjoGf43sU5wcv7gXdNEr299WIxkjcZR7aiWVbV2KpANLx6FSTMH4xHdhBC3e1GJ6pdlXRH0g/w300-h400/Sinningia%20'Arkansas%20Empress'%20GGF,%20Apr%202023.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress' - April 2023</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-34649430191233945522023-04-08T08:31:00.000-04:002023-04-08T08:31:19.772-04:00Show off<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgGPzLrGiMASMgLWURw2LeT-sz-5xgaiGGJg5oUSTDXF0_GkOpgEUrr_qrAZhbs6fg9-Y6aDAd7RsrDDpVLVV4xOzCrI-US5UpL6SW2WdAjM6Xj2Q9OlSBAD6cFGtyziz106FcXGEGMED7DYO-ZfXTGPJawi2eqD6qdhameqGTOUAlCS_CJyj2gBang/s2192/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="1929" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgGPzLrGiMASMgLWURw2LeT-sz-5xgaiGGJg5oUSTDXF0_GkOpgEUrr_qrAZhbs6fg9-Y6aDAd7RsrDDpVLVV4xOzCrI-US5UpL6SW2WdAjM6Xj2Q9OlSBAD6cFGtyziz106FcXGEGMED7DYO-ZfXTGPJawi2eqD6qdhameqGTOUAlCS_CJyj2gBang/w564-h640/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' - 9 Flowers Open</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now you’re
just showing off with 9 flowers open.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This trial of a miniature Achimenes
has had amazing results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This plant
grown from a scale from a rhizome under long-day, LED lights has 9 flowers open.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What do we know now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you start with a miniature variety and
grow it in a 2.5” pot {the size we need} with high light, long-days, and enough
fertilizer, it is possible to have a commercially saleable houseplant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What is the end of the story?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The goal is to find more
varieties/colors where this can be duplicated and produced year around by the thousands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If we can do it consistently, it
will look like it was obvious and easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pivoted away from
4” pots and 6” hanging baskets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will come later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What a treat it will be to see
Miniature Achimenes in your Independent Garden Center.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7QjO9mf47ubaUWDjAIQqwfloEwXtJ61NQNyhg8pGYQrtelAon-As16kSTwzMxPJFZUha1H8BpiMDSzUF5l-BeNTSpsikdUGaLmV-fkLUcTHxyyve1RysK8U4xgLWX8wxq6b7IpwlNhNVDRTe3t3xFr1UroToF6wGlH5Z7npJt9vl3x68mqY9uZsaEg/s4032/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%202%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7QjO9mf47ubaUWDjAIQqwfloEwXtJ61NQNyhg8pGYQrtelAon-As16kSTwzMxPJFZUha1H8BpiMDSzUF5l-BeNTSpsikdUGaLmV-fkLUcTHxyyve1RysK8U4xgLWX8wxq6b7IpwlNhNVDRTe3t3xFr1UroToF6wGlH5Z7npJt9vl3x68mqY9uZsaEg/s320/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%202%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPifczd769DxYppuvrFWqTfFD1eIB6Fo7v4yNYVgt5UAPplj1vUenpNmaE5sz7q8dBH3UNd85bu6_HLvfTITsTMnncv23ptN9qb3ZSpLRfIfoP7xqVTd7-vXC29i99JgdpOV761t95xdRN9rzVYD8nI5hOXFKQfE2D2HeOmTmON5vyMWE-686_9EwHg/s4032/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%203%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPifczd769DxYppuvrFWqTfFD1eIB6Fo7v4yNYVgt5UAPplj1vUenpNmaE5sz7q8dBH3UNd85bu6_HLvfTITsTMnncv23ptN9qb3ZSpLRfIfoP7xqVTd7-vXC29i99JgdpOV761t95xdRN9rzVYD8nI5hOXFKQfE2D2HeOmTmON5vyMWE-686_9EwHg/s320/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%203%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%209%20%20flowers%20Apr%207,%202023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-42540966139406267232023-04-05T20:38:00.000-04:002023-04-05T20:38:07.579-04:00Give me a sign<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYGZ6Tc_XTk2ou2YmVwyYvytKzwpe0Bfu1MwFDr70Y1PgfgVrIjMfvtLxU3lqHwfhReGyZ5AHTSLQG1-UQmuRl33z0iP_WmwvHcmAOhd8tax60m9S5mpIfV1_AG8m6m_T8rRjy7qvaR3zUbL1a2mpn4paOR_X2-B9fBWuDlBggjuVmOCWyS1lP5AOxA/s2592/Achimenes%20SRG%20YELLOW%20ENGLISH%20%20ROSE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYGZ6Tc_XTk2ou2YmVwyYvytKzwpe0Bfu1MwFDr70Y1PgfgVrIjMfvtLxU3lqHwfhReGyZ5AHTSLQG1-UQmuRl33z0iP_WmwvHcmAOhd8tax60m9S5mpIfV1_AG8m6m_T8rRjy7qvaR3zUbL1a2mpn4paOR_X2-B9fBWuDlBggjuVmOCWyS1lP5AOxA/w426-h640/Achimenes%20SRG%20YELLOW%20ENGLISH%20%20ROSE.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Achimenes 'Yellow English Rose'<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Achimenes project has been
progressing for over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most small
production greenhouses do not do any R & D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Research and Development requires a lot of time and money with unknown
financial return.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Commercial production is set up to have
something to sell all the time and grow it with the lowest cost and shortest
time as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The (Development) of Achimenes will
use known horticultural practices but there is a lot of trial and error
(Research). What is the schedule, the timing, the light levels, temperature, insects and diseases to fight. How is the stock base managed?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is no mention of Achimenes in
any trade magazine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Achimenes has not
shown up at any trade shows nor been featured at this Spring’s California new
varieties showcase.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If anybody is working on Achimenes,
they are staying quiet, just like us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If there is no competition for your
product, it means either it’s very different or there is no demand for it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If a viable crop can be grown, we
need a sign that this work has paid off.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-43702154394549648832023-04-03T19:17:00.002-04:002023-04-03T19:17:33.842-04:00It gets better and better<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNyHp9GVCAVZaW2-dDMKr6_Jma7O8OPu0-m71jwuY5rfCi3O7FbZYehs-tzfAWiO5oTDWrLuK_8aUg4XVydhCXrgw84UxYun5RIEq_G2m_d_AffGxmAFqDHGZ7rBhcDbUvcou8_5kSDlq8DVJqrADagDBAGrUruTUYXwc3PVxHMjQHuH4Z84hSwEU4A/s2884/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%20six%20flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2884" data-original-width="2175" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNyHp9GVCAVZaW2-dDMKr6_Jma7O8OPu0-m71jwuY5rfCi3O7FbZYehs-tzfAWiO5oTDWrLuK_8aUg4XVydhCXrgw84UxYun5RIEq_G2m_d_AffGxmAFqDHGZ7rBhcDbUvcou8_5kSDlq8DVJqrADagDBAGrUruTUYXwc3PVxHMjQHuH4Z84hSwEU4A/w482-h640/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%20six%20flowers.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes ' Petite Fadette' with Six Flowers by Kerri</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Same plant --- Different day</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> Our Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' in 2.5" pot we are watching continues to impress.</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> It started <a href="http://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2023/03/achimenes-beginning-of-campaign-part-ix.html">here</a>, move to <a href="http://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2023/03/it-gets-better.html">here</a> and now shows six flowers in prime condition.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> We will call this a success story.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9aurMfF6dHsdT5RMrVPb6ETuIC7RzGUMf_h4TE0lM8EnK2ONY83L0adg0tz89vP4VPXumeF8mEZXlTqtC5bzu80z2c4XBZ58usezLjHaYXv01u3LZo8f0szUy6LteO-RRbVRy-O2Sz9IiVJmGRNkUFu-j1txcR1YCsVedID4jim8riK31upi_1P31Q/s2536/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%202%20%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%20six%20flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="2057" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9aurMfF6dHsdT5RMrVPb6ETuIC7RzGUMf_h4TE0lM8EnK2ONY83L0adg0tz89vP4VPXumeF8mEZXlTqtC5bzu80z2c4XBZ58usezLjHaYXv01u3LZo8f0szUy6LteO-RRbVRy-O2Sz9IiVJmGRNkUFu-j1txcR1YCsVedID4jim8riK31upi_1P31Q/w325-h400/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%202%20%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%20six%20flowers.jpg" width="325" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /><span><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-65573301772471737192023-03-31T08:04:00.000-04:002023-03-31T08:04:22.915-04:00It gets better<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCfWjq0dhcQpiTmGk4avN4RFudr8_gxMISeYzF_XvAY8p4jlp8p1wXVWNl1TmHN-N5lX0QJkMxLlXzkNaU1WkVFIzwSjJnUeLL_UFLQ6EKEH4lgfNgejg47REEzcgj-hb5PPOIq3F2UFAekYquviHIarKd5cSeLdQhzFnylS-8xSnyAK0O9fZNw5Wuw/s1793/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%20four%20flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="1793" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCfWjq0dhcQpiTmGk4avN4RFudr8_gxMISeYzF_XvAY8p4jlp8p1wXVWNl1TmHN-N5lX0QJkMxLlXzkNaU1WkVFIzwSjJnUeLL_UFLQ6EKEH4lgfNgejg47REEzcgj-hb5PPOIq3F2UFAekYquviHIarKd5cSeLdQhzFnylS-8xSnyAK0O9fZNw5Wuw/w400-h370/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20%20four%20flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' - Four Flowers Open</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> Achimenes grown in a small pot (2.5") has a chance to be a commercial success.</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span><a href="http://garysspecialtyplants.blogspot.com/2023/03/achimenes-beginning-of-campaign-part-ix.html"> 'Petite Fadette'</a> looked good four days ago. </span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Will we get six flower's open?</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-46172763097498838542023-03-25T08:55:00.036-04:002023-03-26T06:53:55.952-04:00Achimenes - The Beginning of the campaign, Part IX<p> <br /><br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGHbO4rIjA_HzIMAIaggkZkyE0BPIyWTGEHkosFA4Hr-5nTCBLN2wBNNP17NlCDySx5LLFXX-qclWNxw6JCORN3_sCI9fiPSSt5D8N8WnR2_F3DHIsWKYsf59xL00Hy6k4ToACrN2HmulA0fQSW_1xiYG9vy447mV-woJPcJwqdl2FoKwI5Y7nAjtAw/s320/Achimenes%20Petite%20Fadette,%20by%20Kerri,%20with%20flower%202.5%20from%20scale.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGHbO4rIjA_HzIMAIaggkZkyE0BPIyWTGEHkosFA4Hr-5nTCBLN2wBNNP17NlCDySx5LLFXX-qclWNxw6JCORN3_sCI9fiPSSt5D8N8WnR2_F3DHIsWKYsf59xL00Hy6k4ToACrN2HmulA0fQSW_1xiYG9vy447mV-woJPcJwqdl2FoKwI5Y7nAjtAw/w480-h640/Achimenes%20Petite%20Fadette,%20by%20Kerri,%20with%20flower%202.5%20from%20scale.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' 2.5" --First<br />Flower by Kerri<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Miniature
Achimenes could be a giant category.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If these little spots of color would
show up in houseplant departments, they will attract attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have first flowers on the 2.5”
pot we’ve been watching.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If we were trying to get a million dollars
from a venture capitalist, they would want Proof of Concept.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is it --- Proof of Concept.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We know how to do this and expect it
can be duplicated by the thousands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small
pot will solve several needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will
fit into our small assortment as finished plants for Independent Garden
Centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small pots are needed for mail order
shipping so <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can be sold wholesale to our
internet mail order customers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grown in 2.5” pots, one plant --- No
pinch necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use short varieties
with proportional smaller flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
plant from scales may work, as well as rooted cuttings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are three or more varieties that could
look like the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The step after Proof of Concept is Execution.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Profit or Loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNymRyZpxlPV_ahDYAYoAkZdGKF9WzR0pO9az7Er7gfx04QKHWEpACO61q38tSDlopwizBAWNpaueyDGq4fgT1-rr97lsSrO8nHli3cEyUdXvCtsvHHJ2_xg0o3qLp_UqCYjuoX9tzyv0FiYkFQwBYkKITi_LM3gQxDRHQZPbYCh-hAV4Ymn9xqttRXg/s320/Achimenes%20Petite%20Fadette%202,%20by%20Kerri,%20with%20flower%202.5%20from%20scale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNymRyZpxlPV_ahDYAYoAkZdGKF9WzR0pO9az7Er7gfx04QKHWEpACO61q38tSDlopwizBAWNpaueyDGq4fgT1-rr97lsSrO8nHli3cEyUdXvCtsvHHJ2_xg0o3qLp_UqCYjuoX9tzyv0FiYkFQwBYkKITi_LM3gQxDRHQZPbYCh-hAV4Ymn9xqttRXg/s1600/Achimenes%20Petite%20Fadette%202,%20by%20Kerri,%20with%20flower%202.5%20from%20scale.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrytfP3L4WlZxHSLJzmzYbXCy3ymgZbDF4qTBuCYGobz8j3PoUz-d2S2V84TuES4yXRizMMf94cRK_sayxnUOZOJ0yBfbH9Ae0nApuyt_cikFkvfwc2N-PNbTAdd8miq2eFAMxCmYU0Imgh_KPobmNhPD-eADCiVEipi6U-uTSpUGY7z0MJl7d-62oKA/s2555/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20flower,%20cropped,%2025%20mar%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2555" data-original-width="2337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrytfP3L4WlZxHSLJzmzYbXCy3ymgZbDF4qTBuCYGobz8j3PoUz-d2S2V84TuES4yXRizMMf94cRK_sayxnUOZOJ0yBfbH9Ae0nApuyt_cikFkvfwc2N-PNbTAdd8miq2eFAMxCmYU0Imgh_KPobmNhPD-eADCiVEipi6U-uTSpUGY7z0MJl7d-62oKA/s320/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20flower,%20cropped,%2025%20mar%202023.jpg" width="293" /></a></div></div><br /></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" by="" cropped="" fadette="" flower="" jpg="" kerri="" mar="" petite="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83uncwxhKaCbIHUZSWN6dwt8SNl7VfEsdfIhCWd8VRzrGQB-_TXzcO52CPQXa8FxB7ucfSVBEf615eJBi8273SBKfD7ge6ALhZP6w9mcj9Xfgrx44bgC6HwVHwh52XbVqtdZTGX8YIeqEohvdQe1TiB8wA6fc6iTlpjXPA4_cYBRhGVXXCOfc6wXOjA/s320/Achimenes%20" with="" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83uncwxhKaCbIHUZSWN6dwt8SNl7VfEsdfIhCWd8VRzrGQB-_TXzcO52CPQXa8FxB7ucfSVBEf615eJBi8273SBKfD7ge6ALhZP6w9mcj9Xfgrx44bgC6HwVHwh52XbVqtdZTGX8YIeqEohvdQe1TiB8wA6fc6iTlpjXPA4_cYBRhGVXXCOfc6wXOjA/s2555/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20flower,%20cropped,%2025%20mar%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2555" data-original-width="2337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83uncwxhKaCbIHUZSWN6dwt8SNl7VfEsdfIhCWd8VRzrGQB-_TXzcO52CPQXa8FxB7ucfSVBEf615eJBi8273SBKfD7ge6ALhZP6w9mcj9Xfgrx44bgC6HwVHwh52XbVqtdZTGX8YIeqEohvdQe1TiB8wA6fc6iTlpjXPA4_cYBRhGVXXCOfc6wXOjA/s320/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20with%20flower,%20cropped,%2025%20mar%202023.jpg" width="293" /></a></div> Cropped High Resolution -- Which is the clearest?Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-41041176538121965552023-03-21T07:55:00.000-04:002023-03-21T07:55:02.980-04:00Achimenes, The Beginning of the Campaign, Part VIII<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="311" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3sGsSeHd1NUUDXJhXEdLmXY40FJL3_dJHDxmXbXZt5s8EBijt_2T-NEtdnmVFjny8hF5Jwji-ynoe7ncHAGMwqnzTz11fZ1KFeLQLiyusicNmpUceoGhO9ME8u8agV-9Etm8NzznLwYqeKtCH-zHP_c34XbA-7W2xz4PEE_z8xuiut9Dw61xLB2SEw/w389-h400/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20from%20scale,%2016%20weeks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="389" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' in small pot by Kerri</span><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3sGsSeHd1NUUDXJhXEdLmXY40FJL3_dJHDxmXbXZt5s8EBijt_2T-NEtdnmVFjny8hF5Jwji-ynoe7ncHAGMwqnzTz11fZ1KFeLQLiyusicNmpUceoGhO9ME8u8agV-9Etm8NzznLwYqeKtCH-zHP_c34XbA-7W2xz4PEE_z8xuiut9Dw61xLB2SEw/s320/Achimenes%20'Petite%20Fadette'%20by%20Kerri%20from%20scale,%2016%20weeks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What if we
could get Achimenes to flower short in a small pot?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our hybridizer, Serge Saliba, has varieties
selected that are considered to be miniature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The varieties, ‘Petite Fadette’, ‘Little Lulu’, and ‘Petite Marquise’
have small crisp flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They appear to
flower quickly so we hope we can have flowers before the plant gets too tall
for a 2.5” pot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An Achimenes in a 2.5” pot is horticulturally
sound when you want a cute little spot of color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long term as a summer plant, it can be
repotted into a bigger pot so it can go longer between watering and maintain
itself better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Achimenes are not known and, for sure,
a miniature Achimenes has never been seen at a U. S. garden center.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We know that small flowering
houseplants are scooped up quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
newly added plants of Mini Cyclamen, Mini Violets and Exacum are special treats
for indoor gardeners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If Mini Achimenes can be perfected,
everyone will want one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056657371985429076.post-41062505138997420892023-03-19T17:57:00.000-04:002023-03-19T17:57:50.878-04:00Vietnamese Violets are here !<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhc5w_nUhchKF5ov8w9i1n_F6pl3n93Yx036cfi_zEW_RNmr7yeNEo9Nw83GsHMiYuL9GqM2gZlmd80epMN5OhFxCXTkjILhlc_dnf_VbhHkpvuC72hiH-PZOaJQSLPrJbFd0_5Yz_KjdEhQF6Fzb-zQl_I6cwB6Oi5pcIIC-WW3MSou0ksmz5a3gZA/w640-h640/Metapetrocosmea%20tamiana%20from%20Dibley.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metapetrocosmea tamiana by Dibley's</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhc5w_nUhchKF5ov8w9i1n_F6pl3n93Yx036cfi_zEW_RNmr7yeNEo9Nw83GsHMiYuL9GqM2gZlmd80epMN5OhFxCXTkjILhlc_dnf_VbhHkpvuC72hiH-PZOaJQSLPrJbFd0_5Yz_KjdEhQF6Fzb-zQl_I6cwB6Oi5pcIIC-WW3MSou0ksmz5a3gZA/s960/Metapetrocosmea%20tamiana%20from%20Dibley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vietnamese
Violets are here for the World to see.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s not often that a species can be a commercial crop without
any hybridizing improvement needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
species is how a plant is collected in the wild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By definition it is true from seed, as all
the seedlings look like the Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why it has been overlooked is baffling,
because it has it all as a flowering houseplant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be grown in quantity from seed, prolifically generated from self-pollination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have a believable common name in
Vietnamese Violet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s native to Vietnam
and grows like an African Violet with clusters of bright white and purple
flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Culture is the same as African
and Asian Violets – Bright window or under florescent/LED lights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The botanical Genus name keeps changing
from Primulina to Deinostigma to Metapetrocosmea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that won’t matter with the strong
category name – Vietnamese Violet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are other Metapetrocosmea species but it’s unknown if they are commercial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s a nice plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pictured are multiple seedings growing at
Dibley’s Greenhouse, U.K.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It will be accepted as a flowering
houseplant, if the supply and distribution get better.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary's Specialty Plantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016970778289342775noreply@blogger.com2