The Show

Great topiary shown at Philadelphia Flower Show - 2013

Story # 94,


The Show!


        My favorite part of the Philadelphia Flower Show is the specimen plants entered for judging.  There are perfectly grown plants there that can be seen nowhere else.


      The judging is very important to the dedicated few who put tremendous effort into the contest.  They want to win.


      For us observers, the judging system only insures the quality.


      The hobby of growing plants for show is more difficult than growing commercially.  Commercially, on average all of the crop must be good.


      Hobby-wise, one plant must be grown to be perfect.

When do readers look at this blog?



Sinningia 'Prudence Risley' - Blue ribbon at the Philadelphia Flower Show 2013
Challenge Class grown by Brandon Huber

 Story # 93,


     When do readers look at this blog?


           The most consistent spike in readership is when someone else recommends that you look!

Find this plant!

Hemizygia 'Candy Kisses' at the Philadelphia Flower Show 2013

Story # 92.

Find this plant!

      One of our declared missions each year at the Philadelphia Flower show is to find a new plant ------ At least, a new plant in my area of interest.

      This year I came upon a striking variegated specimen with somewhat shiny leaves that could have been a Plectranthus but was shown as Hemizygia ‘Candy Kisses’.  It was exhibited by Mrs. Samuel Hamilton who shows many exceptional specimen plants.

 

      I’ve never seen the Genus name, Hemizygia.  So is this a name change for one of the many varieties of Plectranthus that I know or a new exciting plant worth growing.

      It is described as a tender perennial that can be used in summer planters.  And it must be a short day flowering plant that could be a pot plant in the Fall and Winter 

      This is worth finding and growing to see its potential for tip cuttings in small pots for Miniature Gardens.

Plants for sale at the Philadelphia Flower Show

Ladyslipper Streptocarpus for sale

Story # 91,


      Announcing the sale of Sinningia ‘Li’l Georgie’ at the Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2 – 10, by Meadowbrook Farms.


      Look for them there.


      There will be Ladyslipper Streptocarpus,  a few Columnea, Sinningia ‘Prudence Risley’, S. ‘Gabriel’s Horn’ and S. ‘Kristobel’ ------ Look for ‘Prudence Risley’ in the Challenge Class.


      Assorted ‘Mini’ plants for Miniature Gardens will go fast.  Get there early in the week or ask when the next shipment is coming.

Simplify, Part II

Streptocarpus 'Essue'

Story # 90, Part II


Simplify


      From ‘Insanely Simple:  The Obsession that Drives Apple’s Success.’  By Ken Segall


      “One word is better than two words”



                ‘Ittie Bittie’ plants for Miniature Gardens

                                      Or

                ‘Mini’ plants for Miniature Gardens?



 

Simplify

Streptocarpus 'Essue' - Heirloom variety
Hybrid by Gary's Specialty Plants



Story # 90,


Simplify


      From ‘Insanely Simple:  The Obsession that Drives Apple’s Success.’  By Ken Segall


      “With perfect clarity, it tells customers who you are and what you sell”


                            Gary’s Specialty Plants

Will there ever be a micro Sinningia better than 'Li'l Georgie'?

Sinningia 'Li'l Georgie' with 20 buds grown by Gary's Specialty Plants

Story # 89,


Will there ever be a better micro mini Sinningia better than ‘Li’l Georgie’?


      The trial is over.  Sinningia ‘Li’l Georgie’ is exceptional in every way.  It is a cute miniature flowering houseplant.  Once established it flowers continuously in medium to high light.  It has been shown to be capable of many flowers and buds.


      The story about Nematanthus ‘Cheerio’ showed that it has survived 35 years in production because it could be propagated by vegetative cuttings, by any grower that was interested.


      The limiting factor with ‘Li’l Georgie’ will be continued propagation by tissue culture.


      The current successful tissue culture propagation and tricky rooting has involved a lot of trial and error.  ‘Li’l Georgie’ will require a dedicated grower committed to its widespread distribution.


      Without that supply line, it will disappear, with no other practical method of propagation.


      Is there any other micro mini Sinningia out there to challenge it   

               I don’t think so!