1. UK Commercial Trial
i) Species of plants – we wanted to test product on as many different types of plants as possible
ii) Quality of trial management – as these were commercial trials it was essential that we chose growers/nursery managers who could set up and monitor the trials in the correct manner.
Location:
Mr. John Selph
Whitewater Nursery
Hound Green
Mattingley
Hook
Hampshire
Whitewater Nys is a 12 Ha site, set in rural Hampshire, specialising in Hardy Nursery stock from liners to large specimens, Herbaceous perennials, climbers and alpines direct to the landscaper and public. The site was chosen due to the wide variety of perennials John grows (over 600), and his meticulous plant husbandry practices. A mid term controlled release blend of POLYON® herbaceous/ flowering plant mix added at 4.5 Kg per Cu.m to some 20,000 subjects in 2-3000 batches broken down into numerous different species.
Species Trialled:
Sedum spectable ‘Brilliant’
Verbena banariensis
Tiarella ‘Ninja’
Incarvillea delaveyl
Senecio polydon
Penstemons ‘Apple blossom
Diascia fetcaniensis
Heuchera ‘Ring of fire’
Euphorbia mellifiia
Verbascum ‘Pink domino’
Heucherella alba
Dianthus ‘Cranmere pool’
Coreopsis verticellata
Linium perenne
Euphorbia mysantes
Oenothera missouriensis
Astilbe ‘William buchannon’
Helenium hoopsii
Lamium maculatum
Salvia nemerosa
Linaria x dominii
Gypsophila ‘Bristol fairy’
Gaura lindemeri ‘Corries gold’
Kniphofia caulensis
Sedum ‘Bartrum Anderson’
Thalictrum delvayi
Lobelia saphilitica
Brunnera macrophyla
Monarda Pisces pink
Carex silver sceptre
Muscanthus zebrinus
Hosta ‘Honeybells’
Phlox paniculata
Baptisia australis.
Trial Observations:
Plant batches were of strong liner material, large numbers of hostas divided from 1998 stock and liner grasses ready for potting on. All were potted into two litre pots and all received the same blend and rate of CRF. Plants matured over a 4-6 week period and the following observations were made during this time:
• Exceptionally strong root development and colour.
• Vigorous, even growth in all species.
• Thick flower bud growth.
• Deeper leaf colour than that of resin coated fed counterparts.
• Species at a saleable size by 6 weeks.
• Virtually no leaching, despite high amounts of rainfall and temperatures of 20-25oC.
• Thicker basal spread on all grasses – not seen with resin coated fed counterparts.
Conclusion:
Whitewater Nys are extremely pleased by the quality of plant that POLYON® produces and have had very positive feed back from many of their customers and competitors.
