Quick Dips

University Flowers

Massey University disappeared under flowers recently, as part of its floriculture display where new plant varieties were presented to commercial growers. The annual bedding plant open day saw a huge range of flowers on display, including rain-tolerant petunias, vigorous begonias and a variety of strongly coloured impatiens.

Floriculture specialists plant new varieties alongside established plants to provide comparison, and the plants are assessed on factors such as flowering display, ease of growing and production cost.

The open day, sponsored by Watkins Seeds, provides a chance for commercial growers and major users, such as parks and reserve staff, to see how seed from around the world performs under New Zealand conditions.

The new varieties shown this year should be commercially available next spring, according to Massey floriculture specialist, Eddie Welsh.