The National Cut Flower Centre
During 2019, samples of column stock downy mildew were submitted to The James Hutton Institute for further sensitivity testing. The results of these tests are summarised in the attached technical note.
Update on column stocks downy mildew sensitivity trials 2019
The tunnels have now been uncovered and the perennial trials have been cut back.
The blog will now be suspended until the start of 2020 trials in spring.
The lily alternative growing media trial was assessed this week including stem length and weight measurements. The peat free and peat reduced media visually seemed to perform as well if not better than the control and the full results will be included in the 2019 final report.
The Scabious continue to produce a prolific flush of flowers with the area cut back in July producing stems that are as strong as the first flush back in June.
The Bulrush lily media trial is almost ready to harvest and assess although there are not many visual differences between the treatments.
The eryngium trial is starting to flower and while there are a few marketable stems this year, as with most perennials, next year should demonstrate their true potential.
Most of the trials are now coming to an end but the Gomphrena (see left hand photo) and the Asclepias “Apollo Orange” (see right hand photo) are still being harvested for samples and vase life trials.
The trials are now gradually coming to an end this year with just a few still ongoing.
The Scabious that was cut down a few weeks ago has now regrown and producing a reinvigorated flush of flowers. The half of each bed that was not cut down is also still producing flowers but the stems are not as strong as those that were cut down.
The last planting of Lepidium is now in ready to harvest (see left hand photo) and this planting has not been grown through nets because the nets used in the first planting made harvesting much more difficult and time consuming. This years planting of Ascelepias “Apollo Orange” is now in full flower (see centre photo) and vase life tests are being undertaken. Yet another batch of flowers have been used by Jonathan Moseley (see right hand photo) to promote UK growers, this time at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.
For those of you who did not attend this years Open Day, the handout can be downloaded at by clicking the link below.
