Start Your Spring Season With

Start Your Spring Season
With
G
rowers, retailers and landscapers are seeing fabulous results
beginning their spring seasons with Senetti. These plants are
cool in more ways than one. In addition to thriving in lower temperatures,
Senettis provide high color impact when we need it the most. In vivid blues,
magic magentas, ultra violets and stunning bicolors, where else can you find
vibrant color early in the season?
Bred by Suntory Flowers in Japan, Senetti is a collection of pericallis hybrids, which were obtained by cross breeding members of
the Compositae and Asteraceae families. Before reclassification, Senetti was known as Cineraria x hybrid, but
they are nothing like a typical seed cineraria grown
as a house plant. Its large, daisylike flowers bloom
from early spring until summer. Bloom count can be
as high as 200 on a plant grown in a 10-inch pot.
• Unmatched
early-season color
• Energy-saving
production
• Unique reblooming
ability
S
enetti has excellent branching with good vigor and
plants are unmatched for fall/winter and early spring
season color. It is generally grown as an annual but is a
perennial by nature and requires frost protection. Senetti is
ideal for spring landscapes and patio containers and would be
positioned with violas, primulas, pansies and osteospermum.
While the original series has eleven varieties in shades of
blue, magenta and purple, a more compact Baby Senetti
series is available in five colors. Solid colors and striking
bicolors are available and can be mixed and matched. Turn
the page to see all the Senetti varieties!
In a sheltered patio situation, Senetti can tolerate
temperatures as low as 34°F and thrives in cool, damp weather
that is typical in early spring. Plants provide long-lasting color for
several months and can be cut back to rebloom. Senetti is the
only reblooming pericallis on the market.
Winning The World Over
Although Senetti was bred in Japan, its 2001 debut in
Europe was a great success, most notably in the United
Kingdom, where consumers embraced the early-season plant
and found it to be a beautiful garden performer, says Chris
Spanton of Sutton Consumer Products. “Senetti has strong,
bright colors that consumers love, especially as we come out
of winter into spring,” Spanton says. “As an added bonus,
Senetti has the ability to rebloom. Just cut the plant back 50
percent in height and it will flower again in four to six weeks,
provided it is well fed.”
Senetti has even performed well in drier climates like
Australia. “If you’re looking for a slightly more robust flowering
annual, then Senetti is a great alternative to viola, pansy and
primula,” says Matthew de Ville of Oasis Young Plants in
Australia. “Senetti plants are fantastic for winter color in the
garden or in decorative tubs, producing an amazing display of
daisylike flowers that are packed with color. Senetti produces
a compact, mounding plant covered in a profusion of large,
jewel-toned flowers.”
When plants were exposed to light frost in Sydney, there
was very little damage. However, plants should be protected
from exposure to frequent and lengthy periods of frost.
“These Senetti plants have displayed characteristics that are
sometimes difficult to see at your local garden center,” De
Ville says. “Characteristics such as vigor, habit, and the prolific
flowering nature make it an easy choice for color.”
Leading The Way In The USA
Senetti is a plant that is creating its own season as the first
flower of spring, although it can also be used in the fall. John
Rader of EuroAmerican Propagators in Bonsall, Calif., has
been perfecting the supply chain for Senetti as a propagator
and working with cuttings producer Florexpo. He is pleased
to see the growing demand for Senetti. “The market had
to discover uses for it,” Rader says. “It works differently in
different parts of the country. In the North, it’s an early spring
crop. Here in California and in Southern climates, it’s winter
bedding.”
One of his big customers, Armstrong Growers with its 31
Armstrong Garden Centers, has championed Senetti in a big
way. In addition to supplying Senetti plants to landscapers
who use them in resorts in Las Vegas and Disneyland,
Armstrong kicks off spring with a Senetti Smile campaign,
giving away thousands of plants at area shopping malls.
Delighted mall shoppers received a free plant, a coupon for a
discount at Armstrong Garden Centers and the opportunity
to win shopping sprees in the “Put On A Senetti Smile” Photo
Contest. Senettis traveled to the malls with great fanfare
in a parade of trucks emblazoned with the promotion and
marching band musicians wore special Senetti shirts.
On the East Coast, Costa Farms with facilities in Florida
and North Carolina, has promoted Senetti as a premium item
through large retailers, including Lowe’s. Costa Farms Vice
President LJ Contillo, who directs Costa’s color production,
says he chose Senetti for its “wow” impulse factor and flower
power. “The color was eye catching and the crop production
timing and sales gave us the ability to grow and sell plants
at a time of year when not much is being produced and
distributed, wowing consumers during winter with something
different than pansy and viola,” he explains.
Costa also is known for its extensive post-harvest and
outdoor performance trials. “The Senettis have not only
rebloomed in deco containers but also rebloomed in trial
gardens after the first flush went blind,” Contillo says.
“Obviously, the cooler the temperature (not below freezing),
the longer lasting flower you will get throughout most of the
country. We saw a second flush even without cutting the plant
back or deadheading spent blooms.”
With leading growers and retailers championing Senetti, you
can expect more consumers to ask for it by name. Suntory is
also expanding its marketing to consumers by advertising in
leading magazines and engaging consumers with innovative
videos and digital content. Stay tuned for more Senetti
promotions!
Cultivation Information
Plant name: Senetti
Genus: Pericallis
Family: Compositae and Asteraceae
Plant type: Grown as annual but perennial by
nature, requires frost protection
Bloom time: Early spring through early summer,
can be cut back to rebloom
Use: Outdoor patio and bedding plant
Habit: Upright and bushy, excellent branching
Flowering: Profusion of flowers up to 2 inches in
size. After flowering has finished, cut
back the plant height by 50% and
reflowering will occur in 4 weeks.
Potting soil: Choose a well-drained growing
medium. Keep pH at 5.5-6.0.
roduction is ideal in a cool and airy
Growing temperature: P
climate, 35-40*F. This will produce
a tough, toned finished plant.
Ventilation should be used when
temperatures reach 48-50*F. Keep
humidity low.
Light: Senetti is a day-neutral plant. Light
levels of 5,000-6,000 footcandles
are ideal. During days of high light
levels or in the autumn months, when
plants are being rooted, additional
shade may be needed. Shading
during the last three weeks of
production may cause internodes to
stretch. In periods of long days and
high light, shade will be required to
the level of 40% over the crop. This
is likely to be when plants mature
in the spring, or in early fall, when
plants are newly potted.
Irrigation/Fertility: After the initial transplant, provide
Senetti with a strong application
of 250 ppm nitrogen with 20-1020 during the first four weeks of
production. Senetti is also a heavy
iron feeder, so keep soil pH between
5.5 and 6.0 with a monthly drench
of STEM from Peter’s Excel for
additional micronutrients. Senetti’s
vigorous root system will require
a lot of water on bright and warm
days. This should be done with clear
water only. Three weeks prior to sale,
switch to a phosphorous fertilizer (l030-20) to support flower production.
Plant Growth Regulators: Senetti is very responsive to B-Nine
(daminozide), which can be used
at 2,000 ppm every 14 days,
depending on the crop timing. Florel
(ethephon) can also be used at the
rooting stage to promote lateral
shoots.
Pinching: If our rooted liners do not come as
pinched and breaking plants, do a
single pinch. Plants will naturally break
and produce well-shaped plants.
Pests and Diseases: Aphids are the number one pest
for this crop, but spider mites and
whíteflies can also be present during
production. Scout for thrips as
flowers develop. Powdery mildew
can be an issue during the cool crop
production, so keep humidity levels
low in the greenhouse. A preventive
drench with Subdue MAXX and
Cleary’s every eight weeks will
prevent root rot.
The Collection
Violet Bicolor
Electric Magenta
Light Blue Bicolor
Magenta Bicolor
Lavender
Magenta
Deep Blue
Blue Bicolor
Super Blue
Blue
Pink Bicolor
Your Easy Suntory Solution!
Suntory has developed digital tools that will help you as a grower
in the greenhouse, sell more plants as a garden retailer and ensure
your customers are successful in their gardens.
Video Channel
What can our video channel provide for you?
Learn all about Senetti on Suntory’s video channel. More than 100
beneficial and beautiful videos are presented in five categories:
• Product brochures
• Expert testimonials
• Garden performance
• Grower benefits and
production tips
• Planting tips
Suntory has also developed some really fun videos that are perfect
for sharing through social media. Stay tuned!
Mobile Site
For Gardeners
Mobile Site
For Growers
Provide your employees with the knowledge
they need to sell with confidence. Easiest
and simplest tool to become the top
salesperson in your store and help your
customers enjoy gardening with your
products. Show customers photos and
videos of Senetti.
Become a pro at
growing Senetti.
Check production information
when you need it. Videos,
photos and data are readily
available at your fingertips.
Photo
Library
This is where you’ll find
a variety of pictures for
each Senetti variety.
Easy to access and
use photos for your
promotions.
Fresh NEW Packaging for
Growers now
have choices
with branded pots or tags.
Square portrait tag displays nicely on supporting stake.
This tag is recommended for pots larger than 6 inches.
Traditional stick tag is recommended
for 6 inch pots.
No tag is required with printed gallon
pot from Summit Plastic
Variety
Flower
Vigor
Size
Color Description
Earliness
Cultivation
Period
Pot Size
Blue Bicolor
Blue + White Centers
3"
Vigorous
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
Blue
Mid Blue
3"
Vigorous
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
Deep Blue
Deep Blue
3"
Med-Vigor
Med-Later
10-20 weeks
6 - 12"
Electric Magenta
Magenta Gradation
3"
Vigorous
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12"
Lavender
Lavender Blue
3"
Med-Vigor
Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
Light Blue Bicolor
Light Blue Morn
3"
Med-Vigor
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
Magenta Bicolor
Soft Magenta + White Centers
3"
Med-Vigor
Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
Magenta
Deep Magenta
3"
Med-Vigor
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12"
Pink Bicolor
Pink + White Centers
3"
Med-Vigor
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
Super Blue
Blue
3"
Vigorous
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12"
Vilot Bicolor
Violet + White Centers
3"
Med-Vigor
Med-Early
10-20 weeks
6 - 12”
More from the Suntory Collection
Surfinia® Deep Red
Million Bells®
Summer Wave®
Sungelonia®
Temari®
Desana®
www.senetti.com
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