Agastache species and varieties are commonly grown as summer bedding plants. they are well-suited for pots, containers, gardens and landscaping (as an annual or perennial). The new introductions for 2003 from Florensis in the 'Acapulco' series (Agastache mexicana) are Salmon/Rose Bicolour, Orange, Purple. The new varieties were selected by Kieft Seeds and are compact with an up-right habit producing flower spikes well above the foliage. The compact Honery Bee series from PanAmerican Seed reaches a height of about 10-15cm in pots and 24-32cm in the garden. Flowers and light grey-green leaves of Agastache produce a minty fragrance (the plant's common name is Korean or Mexican mint). Nineteen entries of Agastache species were on trial in 2003 at the RHS Gardens at Wisley, England, to determine their relative hardiness and to review the nomenclature within the genus; A. rugosa, A.nepetoides, A. foeniculum, A. anisata, A. scrophulariaefolia (very tall), A. mexicana, A. aurantiaca, A. ruprestris and A. astromontana (dwarf).

Agastache can be grown in various sized pots according to market demand, usually 11 - 25cm. Young plants have usually been pinched once already before receipt by the grower so that a well branching structure has been created. A second pinch can be made 10-14 days after transplanting which will also improve the quality of the final plant. Substrate pH is maintained at 5.8-6.2 and it is allowed to dry out between each watering. A balanced NPK fertilizer (200ppmN) is given together with Mg and micronutrients. Treatment with Bonzai as a drench (6 ppm) is effective in dwarfing the plants (in high light conditions) and two applications of 3,000-5,000 ppm B-Nine in low light conditions. Growth regulators may delay flowering and reduce flower size, especially if applied late in the crop cycle. Application of the growth regulators is best made when the plants have grown to 75-80% of their final height.

Agastache is a long-day plant needing a minimum daylength of 14 hours to devlop flower buds. The time taken from transplanting to the final plant is 6-10 weeks according to pot size. Temperatures are maintainied at around 15-17°C (night) and 18°C (day) but allow good ventilation to reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as Phythium and Phytophora if the soil is wet. Cooler temperatures towards the end of the crop cycle will improve plant quality and flower colour but it will also slow down plant growth. Aphids, thrips and whiteflies can become a problem when greenhouse temperatures to rise and preventative measures are recommended. Grower Talks" PanAmSeed Fax 0031 297 383036 www.PanAmSeed.com