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Reflecting on Spring Trials
| Chris Beytes
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>> Published Date: 4/25/2012
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 The Syngenta Flowers trial in Gilroy, California, as seen in a gazing ball held by GrowerTalks managing editor Jennifer Zurko. Syngenta was one of 17 stops and 46 separate companies (not even counting divisions of companies; if you do that, the total approaches 60) exhibiting at this year’s California Spring Trials, held March 24-29.
By all accounts, this year’s Spring Trials was above average from several standpoints, including plant quality, number and merit of introductions, attendance and overall displays. While there were no genetic breakthroughs or all-new genera to be discovered, there were enough new series, stunning new colors and alternatives to existing products to keep a grower busy for several seasons. Breeders seemed to be particularly busy in begonias, pansies and petunias, both seed and vegetative.
The weather was good for most of the trip, other than a heavy rainstorm that struck the Ventura-area trials on Sunday, briefly flooding the area. The Ball trials at the Santa Paula PanAmerican Seed facility had a wedding tent erected over some of the unprotected outdoor displays by some quick-acting employees, saving them from a beating.
Also, the mood among trial hosts and attendees was upbeat, perhaps because of the early and positive start to spring across much of the country. All of the major and minor seed and plant brokerage firms from the U.S. were reportedly in attendance, as were the top national and regional retailers. In addition, there were numerous international contingents making the tour, including China and Australia.
Dates for the 2013 event are set for Saturday, April 6 to Thursday, April 11. (Easter is March 31.) For complete coverage of the trials, visit www.springtrials.com. GT
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