Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress'

Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress' - May 2022

 

Is there a place for this flowering houseplant?

 

            Sinningia ‘Arkansas Empress’ is a hybrid made by Dr Jon Lindstrom, University of Arkansas.  Jon made many spectacular hybrids before his tragic death to cancer.

 

            ‘Arkansas Empress’ is a cross of insularis X conspicua and from Jon’s notes on Flickr in 2010, it was his selection. Apparently the F1 seedlings were variable.

 

            The plant gets big. You need a 6” pot to hold it up and it takes time to flower.  The clusters of salmon tubular flowers make it worth the wait.

 

            Sinningias form tubers as a method of survival so they have extra value.  The tuber can be kept from year to year to regrow and flower.

 

            It is a great ‘Inside Out’ houseplant.  It can be started inside and then put out in your patio planter.

 

            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. 

 

It has been hidden out there in the hobby world in personal collections.  This plant should be seen, but it would not be a casual project.

 

            New and pretty is good.  Big and unknown is risky.  It would be in the category of One.

 

            Should this be done?

Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress' - April 2023

Show off

Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' - 9 Flowers Open

 

Now you’re just showing off with 9 flowers open.

 

            This trial of a miniature Achimenes has had amazing results.  This plant grown from a scale from a rhizome under long-day, LED lights has 9 flowers open.

 

            What do we know now?  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.

 

            What is the end of the story?

 

            The goal is to find more varieties/colors where this can be duplicated and produced year around by the thousands.

 

            If we can do it consistently, it will look like it was obvious and easy.  It was not.  We pivoted away from 4” pots and 6” hanging baskets.  They will come later.

 

            What a treat it will be to see Miniature Achimenes in your Independent Garden Center.

Give me a sign

 

Achimenes 'Yellow English Rose'

            The Achimenes project has been progressing for over a year.  Most small production greenhouses do not do any R & D.  Research and Development requires a lot of time and money with unknown financial return.

 

            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.

 

            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?

 

            There is no mention of Achimenes in any trade magazine.  Achimenes has not shown up at any trade shows nor been featured at this Spring’s California new varieties showcase.

 

            If anybody is working on Achimenes, they are staying quiet, just like us.

 

            If there is no competition for your product, it means either it’s very different or there is no demand for it.

 

            If a viable crop can be grown, we need a sign that this work has paid off.

It gets better and better

Achimenes ' Petite Fadette'  with Six Flowers by Kerri

 

         Same plant --- Different day

        Our Achimenes 'Petite Fadette' in 2.5" pot we are watching continues to impress.

        It started here, move to here and now shows six flowers in prime condition.

         We will call this a success story.