November Growing Update

Brustrokes (Viola)- A sneak peak of spring!

Today I will be writing about my overwintering viola trial happening right now. Overwintering crops that thrive on cool weather means healthier plants with a better vase life and taller stems- exactly the kind of product I want to deliver to my customers. I have to make sure they survive without being too stressed out. I should also say that part of my business vision is to grow unique flower varieties that will set me apart from my competition. While Three Brother’s Blooms has ushered in a new appreciation for pansies and violas as cut flowers, I have yet to see them at any of the markets here. 

So how is this project going? The infrastructure I have put into place are simple low tunnels of PVC pipes that look much more polished than last year’s, with some frost cloth secured over them. Frost cloth lets most light and rain pass through. It blocks the wind (a flower’s main opp), and gives a few degrees of temperature protection. Between the coziness of the frost cloth’s protection and the relatively warm temperatures, my violas are almost too comfy! We had our first frost on November 11th, but since then our nights have gone into the low 40s at their coldest. So one of my violas did exactly what they’re supposed to do- bloomed. More specifically, a tiny but very brave viola greeted me when I came back home from Thanksgiving. 

I didn’t know how much I needed to see that bloom, especially given the days are so short now. It felt like hearing the words ‘everything is going to be okay’. This variety is called Brustrokes and now I understand its name and highly regarded reputation. The colors immediately reminded me of a Dutch Master still life, with their saturated colors and detailed outer petals. And the fragrance is a light, honey scent.

Consider this your earliest sneak peak of spring at Flora and Ana.