World's Best Achimenes

Achimenes 'Blue Swan'

I will tell you I have the World’s best Achimenes.

 

            But who decides?

 

Wise men say: ‘Let the market decide’.  What does that even mean?  Put it out there.  If they want it, they will buy it.  If they buy it twice, it may be good enough.

 

Nobody knows about Achimenes nor is paying any attention.

 

The best Achimenes compared to what?  Within all the known Achimenes varieties, my selection is the best.

 

Achimenes ‘Blue Swan’ is very heat tolerant. It doesn’t wilt at 100 F.  With large (2”+) blue flowers and dark green foliage, it grows vigorously all summer.  It grows well in part shade and the flowers hang on while other buds open.

 

Coming from the world class hybridizer, Serge Saliba, it will lead other durable colors into commercial production.

 

But saying you’re the best is not good marketing strategy.  You need to be different.

 

The heat tolerance will be the feature that will give it repeat acceptance.

 

Hide and watch.

 

A New Commercial Crop

Achimenes 'Blue Swan' grown by Gary's Gesneriad Farm 

 

            “A major horticultural company has decided to introduce a new commercial crop into the United States market.  The CEO has gotten approval for the project from the Board of Directors and a quarter of a million dollars has been allocated for development.

 

            A long forgotten crop --- Achimenes, has been chosen to make a come-back to take advantage of the booming houseplant market.

 

            The search is on for the best varieties in the world.  Hybrids are secured and trials will begin for the best production techniques.  It’s apparent that day length will need to be manipulated, so LED light stands are installed.  Long days can be used to start Achimenes growth in the winter, so flowering plants can be complete for the spring market.

 

            Trials for growth retardants are started.  Propagation of scales from rhizomes is perfected.  The best 10 varieties of various colors are selected.  Production guidelines are quickly determined --- light, temperature, fertilizer, water, fungicides are settled.

 

            Perfect Achimenes crops are produced the first year.

 

            Garden centers sell out immediately as the perfectly grown plants arrive weekly.

 

            The spring demand absorbs this new flowering shade plant in pots and hanging baskets.

 

            The CEO is happy.”

 

            Will this fairy tale come true?