I am beginning to plan for next year and I am trying to determine my varieties. I do not want to experience heat delay like I did this year. I would like everything to finish around December 1st because we sell all of our plants in a one day sale. Would these varieties be my best choices:

Red - Early Prestige
White - Class White or Enduring White (which is better in terms of strength and color)
Jingle - Shimmer Surprise

Thanks for the help,

Tracy, Did you try the "Classic Red" out in the trial packet and if so what did you think about it?....Michael Pawelek

Yes. It turned out really well. It finished around December 1st. The plants were covered with large bracts. The one hanging basket we grew turned out nice. In fact it was the first basket to sell. The stems are a OK, but need support if the plants are going to be on the large side. Overall the classic series was easy to grow and finish all about the same time.

Tracey, do you think Classic would be a good replacement for Freedom Red? I like the draping habit of Freedom, but would like a sturdier plant. (Prestige is too upright for the tree stand.) And do you have a picture?
Thanks! And Happy Holidays!

I think that it would work quite well. The classic series is much sturdier than Freedom in my opinion. I personally do not like the large bracts of Freedom because they seem to weight the plant down and cause a lot of breakage. I have pictures posted at the following link the Classic series was called 1090 in the trial pack.

http://www.lanierffa.org/LanierGreenhouse/tabid/6044/Default.aspx

Tracey -

No one can know what Mother Nature will bring so there is no definitive answer for if heat delay will be a concern next year. But if we look at the last few seasons and compare temperatures they to only be on the rise. Prestige Early Red is a great alternative if Prestige Red is just too late for you. Under normal growing conditions it can be ready as early as Freedom but timing can be controlled with temperatures so we think Prestige Early Red is great option for you.

There are some major differences between Enduring White and Classic White. Enduring is more compact and earlier. Classic has more vigor and is a mid season variety with timing closer to your December 1st finish. Heat delay has not been a concern for Classic White so its timing might be better for you than Enduring White.

Shimmer Surprise is also early (similar to Freedom and Enduring) but we know you have grown Shimmer Surprise and been happy with it so we wouldn't change things in 2008.

Hope this helps with your decision. If you have more questions just let us know.