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Best Caladium Varieties In 2006 And 2007 Landscape Trials
| | Thai Beauty was a 2007 new variety and one of the best performers in landscape trial |
Caladiums are excellent summer accents in Louisiana gardens. New varieties with improved sun tolerance, unique color combinations, and better growth habits have been introduced by breeding programs in Florida and other countries in recent years. Caladium landscape trials were conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in 2006 and 2007 to identify varieties that adapt best to landscape conditions in southeastern LA and provide selection guidance to landscape processionals.
Thirty varieties were trialed in 2006 and we received very positive response. The 2007 trial included the top 20 varieties from 2006 and 5 new varieties: Bicolor, Excalibur, Mini White, Thai Beauty, and Miss Muffet.
Bulbs were planted on April 20 into the same raised flower bed (Nature’s Best garden bed mix) in 2006. Plants were rated for their early- and late-season performances as wel | | Caladium landscape trial is located at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station |
l as sun tolerance. The early-season performance was evaluated in June and was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 represents complete coverage of the planting area with fully emerged leaves, and 1 represents few leaves emerged. The late-season performance ratings were given in September. Plants were rated on fullness, brightness of leaf color, and lodging, where 5 represents full plant with brilliant color and no lodging.
Results are listed in the attached table. Ratings for repeated varieties were averaged over 2007 and 2006. Best pink varieties included Pink Beauty, Florida Calypso, and the fancy leafed Thai Beauty. Among red varieties, Festivia, Florida Cardinal, and Scarlet Beauty did the best. The best white varieties were still | | Excalibur is a 2007 new variety with unique color, compact growth habit, and full-sun tolerance |
Candidium and White Queen. These results suggest that the top three varieties in each color category from last year again performed excellent this year.
Two unique new varieties that performed very well in full-sun were Excalibur and Thai Beauty. Excalibur has a leaf color with purple hint. Thai Beauty has bright pink-white color on new leaves and turning to pale green on older leaves.
We thank the Happiness Farms at Lake Placid, FL and AgriStars V, FL for providing trial materials.
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Table+1.doc
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Table 1. Performance rating and sun tolerance of caladium varieties in 2006 and 2007 landscape trials.
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97.00 KB
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| Posted on: 9/14/2007 12:47:35 PM |
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