2006 MIXED CONTAINER TRIAL by Stephanie Burns and Dr. Claudio Pasian Department of Horticulture and Crop Science The Ohio State University INTRODUCTION 2006 marks the fourth year we conducted Container Trials at The Ohio State University, Columbus Campus. Mixed Combinations and Monocultures (single cultivars per pot) were evaluated. Combination designs were provided by the participating companies. We also designed "OSU Custom Combinations" which utilized plant material from all three participating companies. Individual cultivars (components of the combinations) were grown as monocultures in separate containers. Plants were evaluated on a monthly basis in July, August, and September by the Trials Director and Trials Manager. Consumer Preference evaluations were also conducted monthly by our fourteen member team of Master Gardeners. GENERAL INFORMATION  Transplanting: Dates: May 30, 2006 Container Size: 12" diameter for Single Cultivar (Monocultures); 16" diameter for combination plantings. Location: outdoors, full-sun location in secured gravel area just west of our departmental Columbus greenhouses. Media: Metro-Mix 300. Preventative drench: Plugs were treated with a Plantshield drench just prior to transplanting. Replications: Up to 3 for monocultures and 3 for combination plantings. Cultural Practices: Irrigation: Watered as needed via drip irrigation system.                          Fertilization: 16” diameter mixed containers were given 120 grams (4.23 oz.) of Osmocote 16-9-12. The 12” diameter monoculture containers were given 90 grams (3.17 oz.) of Osmocote 16-9-12. Pruning: The Pelargoniums in the Monoculture pots were deadheaded once. No pruning or deadheading was performed on any of the other combinations. Weather Conditions: Lower temperatures in the beginning of the season slowed plant growth; however, higher temperatures increased growth mid season. Rainfall was moderately above normal. Pest and Disease Problems: Pests: Aphids on Calendula in Design OSU 4. Japanese Beetles on various plants. Diseases: Some powdery mildew, mainly on Verbena. Fertility Problems: Iron deficiency on some Calibrachoas, Petunias, Leucanthemum, and Ivy Geraniums.                                                                                                 Fertility Problem Treatments: Treated the deficient Calibrachoas, Petunias, Leucanthemum, and Ivy Geraniums twice, at 1 week intervals, with Iron Chelate (1 tsp/1 gallon) foliar spray. All plants were fertilized with Greencare 20-20-20 at a rate of 300 ppm Nitrogen on June 29, July 5, and July 18. Evaluatios: The Consumer Preference Evaluations and the OSU Performance Evaluations were performed in July, August, and September. The Consumer Preference evaluated overall appearance and aesthetics of the containers on a personal preference basis.  The OSU Performance Evaluations evaluated the Balance/Dominance of the containers as a whole and the individual plants contribution to the design.  Balance/Dominance is an index used to describe the dominance of a particular component of the mix (one plant may be ‘taking over’). This index is not related to aesthetics: a very balanced combination may not look appealing and vice versa. Evaluation Criteria: Ratings were based on a 1 - 5 scale: 1 = poor/not acceptable, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent. Design Codes for Mixed Containers: Ecke Designs: E 1 -11 Bodger Designs: B 1-10 Dummen Designs: D1-D14 Master Gardener Designs: OSU 1-19  RESULTS 1. TOP COMBINATIONS in MIXED CONTAINER TRIAL A. OSU Evaluations The best performing combinations with an overall Balance/Dominance season average in the range of 4.67 to 3.75 (on a 5 point scale) were: E6, E10, B4, OSU 4, D10, E11, and E7. Also performing very well with ratings in the 3.67 to 3.50 ranges were: D14, E5, B7, OSU 7, D5, D9, OSU 1, and OSU 13. The JULY, AUGUST, and SEPTEMBER EVALUATIONS of Single Plant Characteristics and Combination Performance (Complete with PHOTOS of the combination, the design and the individual cultivar photos diagram) is presented in TABLE 1.  The JULY, AUGUST, and SEPTEMBER EVALUATION of Balance and Dominance overall average results is presented in TABLE 2. The JULY, AUGUST, and SEPTEMBER EVALUATION of Balance and Dominance overall average results sorted by company is presented in TABLE 3. B. Consumer Preference Results presented are the average consumer preference ratings per month in July, August, and September, with an overall season average.  The best performing combinations with an overall season average in the range of 4.12 to 3.77 (on a 5 point scale) were: OSU16, OSU 7, OSU17, OSU1, and E9. The CONSUMER PREFERENCE EVALUATION of the Mixed Containers sorted by design code is presented in TABLE 4 The CONSUMER PREFERENCE EVALUATION of Mixed Containers sorted by overall average is presented in TABLE 5  2. TOP Cultivars in MONOCULTURE Containers: The monocultures pots were trialed separately to the mixed combinations. All the plants that were part of the mixed container designs were also separately trialed in 12” diameter monoculture containers. A. OSU Evaluations Monoculture Containers The best performing monocultures with an overall season average in the range of 5.00 to 4.58 (on a 5 point scale) were: Agastache Acapulco ‘Orange’, Coleus ‘Burgundy Wedding Train’, Coleus ‘Fright Night’, Ipomoea Sweet Caroline ‘Red’, Agastache Acapulco ‘Salmon Pink’, Ipomoea Sweet Heart ‘Purple’, Ipomoea Sweet Heart ‘Red’, Pelargonium Pinnacle ‘Dark Red Improved’, Coleus ‘Molten Lava’, Osteospermum Cresendo ‘Primrose’, and Ipomoea Sweet Caroline ‘Bronze’ Also performing very well with ratings in the 4.50 to 4.25 range were: Bracteantha Brilliance ‘Yellow’, Ipomoea Sweet Caroline ‘Light Green’, Begonia Gumdrop ‘White’, Petunia Surprise ‘White’, Coleus ‘Big Blond’, Petunia Sweet Surprise ‘Purple’, Diascia Miracle ‘Pink’, Ipomoea Sweet Heart ‘Light Green’, Petunia Tiny Tunia ‘Pink’, Salvia Stampede ‘Cherry’, Pelargonium Pinnacle ‘Violet Rose’, Pelargonium Survivor ‘Blue’, Pentas Bahamas ‘Pink’, Petunia Sweet Surprise ‘Blue Sky’, Pentas Bahamas ‘Lavender’, Scaevola ‘Purple Fan/Fan Dancer’ SunPatiens ‘White’ The MONOCULTURE EVALUATION results, sorted by overall rating, are presented in TABLE 6 B. Consumer Preference Monoculture Evaluations Results of the consumer preference evaluations of the monoculture pots performed in July, August and September are presented below: The best performing monocultures in the consumer evaluation with an overall average score of 4.75 to 4.17 were: Scaevola ‘Purple Fan/Fan Dancer’, Petunia Sweet Surprise ‘Purple’, Diascia Miracle ‘Pink’, Coleus ‘Burgundy Wedding Train’, Ipomoea Sweet Heart ‘Purple’, Coleus ‘Molten Lava’, Agastache Acapulco ‘Salmon Pink’, SunPatiens ‘Orange’, Begonia Gumdrop ‘Rose’, Verbena Tropical Breeze ‘Pink’,  and SunPatiens ‘White’. Also performing well with a score of 4.16 to 4.02 were: Petunia Sweet Surprise ‘Blue Sky’, Impatiens Little Lizzy ‘Orchid Butterfly’, SunPatiens ‘Magenta’, Petunia Sweet Surprise ‘Purple Vein’, Petunia Tiny Tunia ‘Plum Ice’, Petunia Surprise ‘Kardinal Vein’, Petunia Tiny Tunia ‘Pink’, Pentas Bahamas ‘Lavender’, Begonia Gumdrop ‘Mandarin’, and Osteospermum Summertime Sun ‘Pink’. The CONSUMER PREFERENCE MONOCULTURE EVALUATION, sorted by overall rating, is presented in TABLE 7 ACNOWLEDGEMENTS: We would like to acknowledge the following companies for participating in the trial: Plant Sponsors: Bodger Botanical: http://www.michells.com/Bodger/bodger.htm Ecke Ranch: http://www.eckeranch.com Dummen:http://www.dummenusa.com We would like to acknowledge the following companies for their generous donations of plant material: Plant Donors: Baker's Acres (Chris Baker)http://www.bakersacresgreenhouse.com Possum Run Greenhouses (Justin Marotta): http://www.possumrungreenhouse.com/ Dannaher Landscaping: http://www.dannaherlandscaping.com D.S. Cole Growers (Doug Cole): http://dscolegrowers.com Supply Donors: Dillen Products (Containers) http://www.dillen.com/ Dramm Corporation (irrigation supplies) http://www.dramm.com/html/main.isx The Scotts Company (potting media) http://www.scotts.com/ Bioworks(Plantshield)http://www.bioworksbiocontrol.com/plantshieldhc/plantshieldhc.html Thanks also for the excellent support from our staff members David Snodgrass and Jim Vent as well as our student worker Lindsay Davis. Special thanks to our extremely talented and dedicated Annuals Team of Master Gardeners and Chadwick Volunteers for their container designs and their dedication throughout the season. Also, thank you to Ken Chamberlain for photographing the combination containers.