Regal geraniums

When you think of Regal geraniums, what comes to mind? Colorful, unusual-looking flowers? Or maybe large cabbage leaves, floppy habit and plants that are difficult to produce? Well, the Aristo and Angel Eyes series from Plant Source International should help dispel some of those negative images.

The Aristo series has six cultivars (Black, Halo, Lilac, Purple, Red and Salmon) that perform uniformly in rooting and flowering. Although they are best suited for 6- and 6 1/2-inch pots, their growth habit is such that they can also be produced in pots as small as 4 1/2 inches and as large as 8 inches. Plants finish 8-10 inches tall with a spread of 6-8 inches.

What makes these plants better is they don't require any pinching, they initiate flowers easily, they flower uniformly and extend their flowering period into summer. An abundance of 2- to 3-inch-diameter flowers cover plants early (beginning in April in the Midwest) and continue to flower into the summer until extended periods of temperatures above 85F occur. Plants that are well-established in the landscape will re-flower later in the season when night temperatures return to 75F or cooler.

While the Aristos will receive their share of attention, it's the Angel Eyes series that should turn heads. This dwarf Regal geranium series doesn't require a cool treatment to initiate flowers, and plants are best for 4- and 4 1/2-inch production and 8- to 10-inch hanging baskets. Well-branched plants reach a final height and width of 4-6 inches.

These multiflora plants produce many 1-inch-diameter flowers and continue to bloom through the season even as temperatures become higher. Number of flowers is reduced as temperatures rise above 85F.

The Angel Eyes series has four cultivars: Bicolor, Burgundy, Light and Picotee.

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Rooted cuttings of Aristos (precooled in the case) and Angel Eyes are available from brokers through licensed propagators, including Bay Gardens in Seffner, Fla.; Controlled Growth in Sparta, Mich.; Henry's Plant Farm in Snohomish, Wash.; Malmborg's Inc. in Brooklyn Center, Minn.; and Possum Run Greenhouses in Bellville, Ohio.

Plant cuttings in a well-drained growing medium with a pH of 5.6-6 and an electrical conductivity of 1.0. Plant one cutting per 4- to 6-inch pot and three Aristo cuttings and four Angel Eyes cuttings for larger containers and baskets.

Keep the medium evenly moist to slightly dry. Frequent excessive drying can result in leaf edge burn and poorly developed flowers. Regal geraniums do not require the same level of fertilizer as zonal and ivy geraniums. Application of 150 parts per million nitrogen at every irrigation is adequate with an occasional irrigation of clear water. Supplemental liquid feed applications of micronutrients with iron will help to prevent leaf chlorosis caused by iron deficiency.

The optimum growing on temperature range is 58F-62F. The light level should be 4,000 footcandles or higher. Lower temperatures and higher light levels improve plant quality and increase the number of flowers.

Scout regularly for whitefly and monitor for iron deficiency.

From a rooted cutting finished in a 4-inch pot, plants in the Angel Eyes series are ready for sale in eight weeks. Aristo series plants started from pre-cooled rooted cuttings in 6-inch pots finish in eight weeks at 62F.

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Specifics

Name: Angel Eyes and Aristo Regal geranium series

Crop timing: Eight weeks for Angel Eyes rooted cuttings planted in 4-inch pots and Aristo pre-cooled cuttings planted in 6-inch pots.

Grower benefits: Plants don't require pinching. No major pest and disease problems. Aristo members are not heavy feeders, initiate flowers easily and uniformly. The Angel Eyes series can be used in hanging baskets as well as 4- to 4 1/2-inch pots.

Selling points: Multiflora Angel Eyes plants produce many small flowers and continue to bloom even as temperatures become higher. Aristo series plants flower uniformly and extend their flowering period into summer.

For more: Plant Source International, 5120 N. Lilac Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429; (866) 774-8727; fax (517) 381-8709; plantsourceintl@juno.com.