Platycodon growers get nervous when the weatherman predicts hot days, as the plants then quickly stretches, which then means a loss of quality. However, Pop Star is much more resistant to this. According to Fulco Spithoven of Benary, this is a real breakthrough, especially now that the much-used PGR for this plant is no longer permitted. In addition, it can also be used in combos. Curious? Next week there will be another Platycodon PGR trials at Benary in Venhuizen, the Netherlands.
Fulco Spithoven with Pop Star during the FlowerTrials.
Compact series
The commonly used PGR in Platycodon cultivation is Tilt, explains Spithoven. "This product is no longer authorized, and at the same time, Benary came on the market with this more compact Playtycodon series. So this means not only fewer PGR's needed but also lower costs and better for the environment."
Combos
Pop Star was first introduced in 2018 as a new compact Platycodon series from seed by Benary, and with the latest improvements to the white and pink varieties last year on top of the classic blue, they can also be sold as trios, which is an added bonus.
Brake trials
To show growers how little PGR's this series needs compared to the widely used varieties, Benary's team has set up trials, and next week is the final trial. "There have been 10 different ways of regulating the growth of the plant, and each time the Popstar is compared to Astra. It is very interesting to see which PGR's do or do not affect Platycodon's growth."
For more information:
Fulco Spithoven 
Benary
[email protected]
www.benary.com