The new compact varieties of Aquilegia are ideal for production as pot plants for the spring market. Plants can be forced into flower for Valentine’s Day although the best period to aim for is from the end of February to the beginning of March (when the danger of frost has passed).

Ordinarily, Aquilegia is a crop for protected cultivation in tunnel or greenhouse where they can be grown cool (free from frost) from the end of September onwards. Seeds sown in year 1 will flower naturally in May of year 2.  Flowers will initiate in the summer of the first year but can only develop properly after they have been exposed to cool temperatures. From seed, production cycle is about 12 months or 8-10 months starting with young plants.  Plants are forced from the end of December for Valentine's Day sales. They may be forced later for later selling dates. The earlier that forcing is started, the shorter the cool period and the longer the forcing phase. Early forcing dates require assimilation lighting. Daylength is extended to 14-16 hours using assimilation light that provides about 20-30 K lux hours per day. Plants are ready for sale when the terminal bud is showing color.  Aquilegia is extremely sensitive to ethylene and long transport and distribution routes should therefore be avoided.

The necessary cool period consists of , for example,  4°C for 6-8 weeks. By using cool rooms with artificial lighting, plants can be brought into flower independently of the outside temperature.  The optimum forcing temperature (daily average) is 12 °C. A negative Dif strategy where the night temperature is higher than day temperature will help reduce the elongation of the flower. However, if the plants begin to show signs of excessively short flower stems hidden by the foliage, this regime must be discontinued.  The market requires compact plants with short flower stems and flowers showing above the foliage. Some limited use of growth regulators is usually necessary. Successful cultivation of the plants in year 2 is also dependent on adequate feeding; undernourished plants will start to re-grow late and and planned sales will be missed and they will remain stunted. 

Benary’s  ‘Cameo’ or ‘Fantasy’ series are miniature varieties that will grow to 15 cm. They are also said to be the earliest flowering Aquilegias on the market. The series ‘Spring Magic’® grows to 25-30 cm and varieties Blue & White, Pink & White, Rose Ivory and White have all won a Fleuroselect  Quality Mark. ‘Origami’ grows to 30-35 cm while at 50cm, the ‘Music’® series are ideal for the garden. For further information contact:  Annette Schumann, Ernst Benary Samenzucht GmbH, fax 0049 5541700920, E-mail: info@Benary.de   www.benary.de