Crops To Pay Attention To Express Seed Co. Sales Meeting July 8 & 9, 2011 Oberlin, Ohio - Erysimum Hybrida Poem Series Rysi Series Glow Series Winter Series

Erysimum Hybrids A product of Cultivaris

These hybrid perennial wallflowers have a great upside if you live in the right area These hybrid are outstanding in garden performance when temperatures aren’t too extreme Of the 4 series offered, only 1 is winter hardy, but all 4 will take a light frost show a decent heat tolerance All 4 series have a genetic bushy habit and produce many sweetly scented flowers on short compact flower spikes This is a product line that can flower for 8+ weeks in late winter through early summer and make a wonderful companion along with Pansies, Violas, Primula, Iceland Poppies, etc for early season bedding and container uses All 4 series require some degree of vernalization at the end of the production cycle for proper flower initiation Once a plant is budded, it can easily be shipped to warmer environments where it will continue to flower for a long period even though temperatures remain warm day and night. This makes Erysimum natural “market extenders” as southern gardeners can enjoy them for weeks, even if they were produced in parts north.

Series Attributes Glow series – Most compact of the series – Most cold tolerant of the series – USDA zone 5/6 – 4 inch or quarts best – 3 colors- coral, golden, orange Poem series – Moderate plant habit – Frost hardy but not winter hardy – USDA zone 8 – Poems need less cooling to vernalize than the others – Best in quarts, 6 inch, 1 gallons – 4 colors- lilac, lavender, pastel bi-color, mirabelle bi-color Rysi series – Moderate plant habit – Frost hardy, but not winter hardy- USDA zone 8 – Best in quarts, 6 inch, 1 gallons – 5 colors- bronze, copper, gold, moon (cream to white), star (yellow to primrose Winter series – Most vigorous of the series, best in large containers – Best in 6 inch, 1 gallons, 2 gallons or tubs – Frost hardy or light winters- USDA zone 7 – 5 colors- joy (purple), orchid (red to purple), rouge (red to russet), sun (yellow to cream)

Rysi GoldWinter Orchid

Poem Lilac Poem Mirabella

Rysi Copper

Production Characteristics- What they All Need All series need warm growing temperatures, after transplant, for bulking up, before vernalization. The length of this bulking period depends on the pot size you’re producing. The bigger the pot, the longer this period. Also, the larger the pot the earlier in the fall you transplant the rooted cutting. Once the plant has reached a minimum of 50% of its optimal finished size, tis ready for vernalization All series need to be soft pinched 2 weeks after transplant All series need 6-8 weeks of vernalization (temperature at night 35-45°F) after optimal size is reached for bud initiation After vernalization, before shipping, a gradual increase in temperature helps wake up the plant and start it actually growing again. A 5° increase in temperature per week is best till 55° nights are reached. However, if the crop is early, you can hold its development by keeping temperatures below 45°F Never pinch/trim after the cold period begins, it removes initiated flower buds All series are day length neutral

General Grower Info Planting: pot in August-October; depends on variety, pot size, sales date; soft pinch 2 weeks later Soil: use a well drained peat based soil, pH , E.C. levels of Fertility: Erysimums are moderate feeders, use a balanced blend, plus miros of 200 ppm when moisture is needed – Feed even during vernalization to avoid yellow lower leaves and leaf drop – Always keep soil moist, avoid excessive drying Temperature: ideal is 65-75°F for bulking, vernalize at 35-50°F; the warmer to vernalize temperatures, the longer it takes to complete this period Light: high light is a must, no shading, no long day treatments PGRs: series specific – No PGRs on any series after buds have begin initiation

Crop Times by Series Glow series – 4 inch or quarts: 6-8 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – No PGRs required Poem series – Quart: 5-6 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – 6 inch: 6-7 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – 1 gallon: 8-10 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – May require PGR during bulking 3-5 ppm Sumagic best Rysi series – Quart: 6-7 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – 6 inch: 7-8 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – 1 gallon: 8-10 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – PGRs are normally not required Winter series – 6 inch: 6-7 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – 1 gallon: 8-10 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – 2 gallon weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold – PGRs as necessary in bulking period- 5 ppm Sumagic per application

Our Supply Sources URCs- – Oro Guatemala Rooting use a 72 or 128 tray Takes 5-6 weeks at 70°F Rooted liners- – Plug Connection – Pacific Plug and Liner – James Greenhouse