Jim Wilson reports on the Floranova pansy and viola pack trials. Floranova's pansy and viola trials at Foxley were several weeks early this year reflecting the mild February and generally less-cold winter. Growth regulators applied last October hadlittle influence on spring flowering, with minimal difference recorded between treated and non-treated controls. However a positive reaction to CCC was recorded on viola Blackjack that remained compact, and yielded more flowers untreated than treated. Another exception was the Floranovabred Sparklers with their more spreading habit and slightly larger flowers than the Angels. CCC proved advisable for spring pack production to control the trailing habit at point of purchase, without affecting flowering.The new Sparklers are being marketed as a collection, not as individual varieties, simply because they do not fit tidily into a series. Sparklers Purple Wing, Red Wing and the more upright, growing Purple Orange Face have individual characteristics, andnew colours could follow.
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