Flower Plans Spring 2018 Who else is in.. - Page 5

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

Oh, good. Gediflora must be a relatively new name? it is not one I can recall seeing. syngenta dummen raker... they are all normal to me, but geiflora?... just doesn't ring a bell. Jim will call you back. I don't do mums. I just don't have the space for them... ever. I don't have flat enough land to set up a system. We would have to get the pan out and level a few areas and I am not interested in doing that. we have the equipment... but trust me... 100' of elevation on a 900' deep lot is a lot of elevation. unless I gave up a part of the garden (which is the only level place around here.)

According to their website, they have offered Commercial Varieties since 1991..

I have several acres myself. But its rather "lumpy" so to speak. Im seriously thinking about some kind of benches. Maybe legs made from t-post pounded in the ground, then conduit for the sides. Wood slats or similar across the top.

Just putting some ideas out there.

clkeiper · February 2, 2018

too bad the ground cover doesn't come in brown or tan. I didn't think about the heat until you mentioned it earlier. that isn't an issue most of the time for us but I see where it would be for you. . benches might be a solution for you. If I wanted my husband to level me something he probably would do it and say it wasnt a problem. to me it is too much work. I see trees needing cut down a fence and shed needing moved a retainer wall needing built... nope. the equipment is in the yard. way too much but after '08 a lot of the work he did kind of dried up but we still have the heavy machinery..... just too much work. maybe I could squeeze in a 100 or so in the one greenhouse but I keep thinking I want to try a hydropnic system in there once my Spring crop of flats is out of there.

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

too bad the ground cover doesn't come in brown or tan. I didn't think about the heat until you mentioned it earlier. that isn't an issue most of the time for us but I see where it would be for you. . benches might be a solution for you. If I wanted my husband to level me something he probably would do it and say it wasnt a problem. to me it is too much work. I see trees needing cut down a fence and shed needing moved a retainer wall needing built... nope. the equipment is in the yard. way too much but after '08 a lot of the work he did kind of dried up but we still have the heavy machinery..... just too much work. maybe I could squeeze in a 100 or so in the one greenhouse but I keep thinking I want to try a hydropnic system in there once my Spring crop of flats is out of there.

Yeah, it gets hot around here. Im trying to get rid of all the black pots I have. Not too many left.

What kind of Hydro system are you thinking? Last year for my tomatoes and peppers I used AKMarks system. That would be considered soiless. It worked amazing. I also tried something similar to an Deep Rail/NFT system, but just couldnt keep the nutrient system cool enough.

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

So, Zinnias, specifically the dwarfs. How many per pot? Im thinking about using 5 inch Azalea pots. Im thinking 5 or 6 to a pot? I think they prefer having a little room, so I dont want to over do it.

I havent decided for certain, but thinking of getting some 96 cells to start them in and transplant, vs. direct sowing.

Cole_Robbie · February 2, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourOaks

So, Zinnias, specifically the dwarfs. How many per pot? Im thinking about using 5 inch Azalea pots. Im thinking 5 or 6 to a pot? I think they prefer having a little room, so I dont want to over do it.

I grow Short Stuff and Zinnitia dwarf zinnias one to a pot, usually trade-size gallon pots. Some other varieties might be smaller and lend themselves better to multiple plants per pot, but I'm happy with mine just one plant per pot.

Here's a pic, zinnias on the left, you can see the yellow one on the corner has slightly smaller flowers - that's a Zinnitia:

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I grow Short Stuff and Zinnitia dwarf zinnias one to a pot, usually trade-size gallon pots. Some other varieties might be smaller and lend themselves better to multiple plants per pot, but I'm happy with mine just one plant per pot.

Here's a pic, zinnias on the left, you can see the yellow one on the corner has slightly smaller flowers - that's a Zinnitia:

Hmmmm.....

I have Thumbelina Zinnias. I was thinking that Dwarfs were single stem??

I guess not. I guess they branch out.

Excellent.

Nice display by the way.

clkeiper · February 2, 2018

I haven't thought much about it. I just hate seeing an empty structure for the season. I think it is a waste of growing space.

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I haven't thought much about it. I just hate seeing an empty structure for the season. I think it is a waste of growing space.

Understandable. Any garden crops that you can grow there that would benefit, based on your climate?

clkeiper · February 2, 2018

I would lean towards veg. Crops if anything. I do farmers markets and it is far easier to get nice produce undercover.
Lettuce would be my first try. I hate picking dirty lettuce.

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

Not to beat a dead horse, but I dont know why I was thinking multiple Zs per container. I guess it helps when you read the description..

Quote:

Description

(6-8”) Thumbelina Mix Zinnia features a unique, bushy, compact and extra dwarf habit with fully matured plants. A colorful mixture of 1-1/4” flower blooms.

FourOaks · February 2, 2018

Since we have been discussing Flowers for all seasons, heres another potential Fall offering

Cool Wave Pansies. I did not know these existed. These are pansies that are destined for hanging baskets. They were developed by the breeders of Wave Petunias. My understand, like regular pansies, they enjoy the cooler weather.

A perfect addition for fall sales.

https://parkseed.com/images/xxl/51488-pk-p1.jpg

FourOaks · February 3, 2018

Well, my list is getting longer.

Somehow I forgot about Geraniums for Spring and Summer. Heres an excellent pdf curtesy of Alabama A&M and Auburn on care and maintence.

http://faculty.caes.uga.edu/pthomas/...b/ANR-1106.pdf

According to them, Red is the overwhelmingly preferred color. White the least.

They are easy to care for, and if you dont sell them, just upgrade to a larger pot or basket. If I recall, they overwinter fairly easy, and you can take cuttings easily as well.

The last time I took some to market (couple years ago), they sold like hot cakes, in 4 inch pots (if I recall). I believe $5 each? I only had an 8 count or 12 count tray? I bought them on a whim from my wholesaler. I swiped a few out of the tray to plant in our Mailbox Planter.

I know last year a vendor had baskets, that sold VERY well.

Cole_Robbie · February 3, 2018

I did ok with my fall mums and Montauk (Nippon) Daisies, but not as well as I had hoped. Customers are simply less excited about buying fall flowers than they are spring flowers.

For late summer flowers, these Dahlias took a long time to grow, but lasted all summer in just a trade size gallon pot. The plant would bloom, then the blooms would die off, and then it would bloom again. I left one plant out in the frost. It looked dead when I brought it inside, but now I have green sprouts coming up out of the base of it.

https://www.harrisseeds.com/collecti...-harlequin-mix

Pic was taken in late October. This was my last spring flower left that still looked good:

BigVanVader · April 23, 2018

Has anyone tried Black eyed susan vine for HB's? I saw they have multiple colors now and figured they would be a great easy addition to my wave petunias and calibrachoa. https://www.harrisseeds.com/collecti...blushing-susie

Cole_Robbie · April 23, 2018

Speaking of flower plans, I am just about to pull the trigger on dahlia tubers and plant my high tunnel in them. I have read that the larger-bloomed varieties do much better under plastic, away from storms and wind.

https://www.edenbrothers.com/store/dahlia_bulbs.html?

I'm thinking I will try 3 mixes - the dinner plate, the giant bloom and the cactus. I literally rolled my pennies and the rest of my change, and I am going to use that money. I have heard the expression of 'rolling pennies to buy gas' as a metaphor for being broke. Perhaps rolling pennies to buy flowers to plant is one step above that.

February 2, 2018	#2
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	too bad the ground cover doesn't come in brown or tan. I didn't think about the heat until you mentioned it earlier. that isn't an issue most of the time for us but I see where it would be for you. . benches might be a solution for you. If I wanted my husband to level me something he probably would do it and say it wasnt a problem. to me it is too much work. I see trees needing cut down a fence and shed needing moved a retainer wall needing built... nope. the equipment is in the yard. way too much but after '08 a lot of the work he did kind of dried up but we still have the heavy machinery..... just too much work. maybe I could squeeze in a 100 or so in the one greenhouse but I keep thinking I want to try a hydropnic system in there once my Spring crop of flats is out of there. __________________ carolyn k

February 2, 2018	#7
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I haven't thought much about it. I just hate seeing an empty structure for the season. I think it is a waste of growing space. __________________ carolyn k

February 2, 2018	#9
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I would lean towards veg. Crops if anything. I do farmers markets and it is far easier to get nice produce undercover. Lettuce would be my first try. I hate picking dirty lettuce. __________________ carolyn k Last edited by clkeiper; February 2, 2018 at 05:41 PM.

February 2, 2018	#4
FourOaks Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NC Posts: 511	So, Zinnias, specifically the dwarfs. How many per pot? Im thinking about using 5 inch Azalea pots. Im thinking 5 or 6 to a pot? I think they prefer having a little room, so I dont want to over do it. I havent decided for certain, but thinking of getting some 96 cells to start them in and transplant, vs. direct sowing.

February 3, 2018	#12
FourOaks Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NC Posts: 511	Well, my list is getting longer. Somehow I forgot about Geraniums for Spring and Summer. Heres an excellent pdf curtesy of Alabama A&M and Auburn on care and maintence. http://faculty.caes.uga.edu/pthomas/...b/ANR-1106.pdf According to them, Red is the overwhelmingly preferred color. White the least. They are easy to care for, and if you dont sell them, just upgrade to a larger pot or basket. If I recall, they overwinter fairly easy, and you can take cuttings easily as well. The last time I took some to market (couple years ago), they sold like hot cakes, in 4 inch pots (if I recall). I believe $5 each? I only had an 8 count or 12 count tray? I bought them on a whim from my wholesaler. I swiped a few out of the tray to plant in our Mailbox Planter. I know last year a vendor had baskets, that sold VERY well.

April 23, 2018	#14
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Has anyone tried Black eyed susan vine for HB's? I saw they have multiple colors now and figured they would be a great easy addition to my wave petunias and calibrachoa. https://www.harrisseeds.com/collecti...blushing-susie

April 23, 2018	#15
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Speaking of flower plans, I am just about to pull the trigger on dahlia tubers and plant my high tunnel in them. I have read that the larger-bloomed varieties do much better under plastic, away from storms and wind. https://www.edenbrothers.com/store/dahlia_bulbs.html? I'm thinking I will try 3 mixes - the dinner plate, the giant bloom and the cactus. I literally rolled my pennies and the rest of my change, and I am going to use that money. I have heard the expression of 'rolling pennies to buy gas' as a metaphor for being broke. Perhaps rolling pennies to buy flowers to plant is one step above that.