The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) 2015 Field Trials Results

This year, 23 companies sent a total of 530 cultivars of annuals or fast-growing perennials that perform like annuals for The Ohio State University trials. There was a slow start to the season due to cool temperatures and frequent rains. From May 15 to June 30, the trials saw only 16 days where there was no measurable rain.

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Best In Show

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■ Scaevola ‘Topaz Pink’
■ Angelonia ‘Alonia Pink Romance’
■ Zinnia ‘Solmar Yellow’

Top Performers

■ Helichrysum ‘Silver Star’
■ Celosia ‘Dragon’s Breath’
■ Begonia ‘BIG Red Green Leaf’
■ Begonia ‘BIG Red Bronze Leaf’
■ Coleus ‘Stained Glassworks Burgundy Wedding Train’
■ Caladium ‘Red Glamour’
■ Scaevola ‘Scalora Crystal’
■ Coleus ‘Special Effects’
■ Lobularia ‘Sweetness Yellow’

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Consumer Favorites

■ Impatiens Big Bounce Series
■ Impatiens Bounce Series
■ Celosia ‘Dragon’s Breath’
■ Zinnia ‘Double Zahara Red’
■ Begonia ‘BIG Rose Bronze Leaf’

News From The Ohio State University Cultivar Trials

Evaluations. At The Ohio State University Annual Trials, we have taken the next step in cultivar evaluations. This is the second year we have implemented the use of a new app based on FileMaker Go. The app was created by Dr. Tim Rhodus at The Ohio State University. The application currently runs on iOS systems and gives anyone who has gone through a simple training course the ability to evaluate the cultivars on their own iPads or iPhones. On the evaluation app, evaluators are given the option to rate plants on a scale 1 through 5, with 5 being “I like the most” and 1 being “I do not like.”

Plants were evaluated four times over the growing season (May through September): last week of June, July, August and September. This year a total of 26 volunteers rated the annual plant material. These evaluations give us a good idea of what consumers like and do not like. All consumer data was uploaded to a server and averages were calculated.

Performance evaluations were conducted by Dr. Claudio Pasian and the Trial Manager, William Barnhill. These evaluations were also conducted using the File Maker Go application. A more detailed program was created to allow for the evaluation of the following plant characteristics: flower quantity, flower quality, vigor/disease and overall. A 1 to 5 scale was also used for this performance evaluation. This rating information will be sent in an annual report to the participating companies and the National Trial Data Base.

Perennials. As a test and for learning purposes, in 2014 we asked a few companies to send us perennial plants to be evaluated during the 2015-2016 seasons. We are now inviting all companies to send us perennials to be evaluated during the 2016-2017 season. This is why we are changing our name from OSU Annuals Trial to OSU Cultivar Trials.

Noticeable in 2015. The Scaevola Scalora Series (Westhoff) stood out this year in trials. Plants had a continuous steady growth and profuse flowering from day one through the end of September. Another impressive entry was Caladium ‘Red Glamour’ (Classic Caladiums). This caladium cultivar was grown in three different trial areas (containers in the shade, containers in the sun and partial shade in the field). It performed very well in all areas without showing any sign of sunburn.

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