Any Flower Experts Here ?

[AlanHo]

This year, for our hanging baskets, I mixed with the surfinias some plants called million bells.

I must admit they are very pretty - but I doubt that there is 100 flowers on each - nowhere near the million.

Do I have a good case for a claim of misrepresentation, trade description act, trading standards, human rights, data protection etc ??

[D4\/!d]

million bells

it's not the shape nor quantity of flowers, it's the ringing sound for when the fairies at the bottom of your garden go dancing after midnight.

[andsome]

This year, for our hanging baskets, I mixed with the surfinias some plants called million bells.

I must admit they are very pretty - but I doubt that there is 100 flowers on each - nowhere near the million.

Do I have a good case for a claim of misrepresentation, trade description act, trading standards, human rights, data protection etc ??

STOP NITPICKING

[catgate]

Do I see the hand of New labour behind another hyped up claim. From whence cometh your plants?

[AlanHo]

I would appreciate it if you lot would take the question seriously. I am quite aware that they are flowers rather than bells and whilst there may be nits feeding on them - I am NOT about to start picking them. After all I reckon I am 900,000 short of a million and don't want to make the situation worse.

Fron whence cometh my plants ? - a local garden centre called Blairs - Oh dear !!!!

[Boris]

Calibrachoa - Million Bells

The plant is named after its hundreds of bell-shaped blooms that appear throughout the season. The small, petunia like flowers in colours of pink, rose and white with sunny yellow centres are not petunias at all.

It is the perfect plant to cascade from a pot or hanging basket. The flowers appear like miniature petunias and are, in fact, related to petunias. Million Bells was released to the market in the 1998 in three colours - Trailing Blue, Trailing Pink and Cherry Pink. Newer colors include Trailing White, Trailing Yellow and Terra Cotta. Million Bells belongs to the genus Calibrachoa.

Suntory Ltd., a giant conglomerate based in Japan, is behind the development of this new commercial species. In 1988, Suntory collected samples of Calibrachoa in South America and devoted themselves to breeding dozens of hybrids. A horticulture division was established in 1989 with the primary aim of launching totally new concepts, in terms of both plants and marketing. As a result of Suntory's efforts, the first Million Bells were produced, though not marketed, in 1992.

The phrase 'per-annuals' best describes Million Bells unique growing habits. 'Per' because they are tropical (or tender) perennials with long-term flowering habits and 'annuals' because they are not cold hardy. However, in mild-winter climates, they may even thrive all year.

The Calibrachoa genus was first brought to Europe in the early 19th century, around the same time as the introduction of the Petunia genus. However, as petunias took off, Calibrachoa was essentially left behind by horticulturists, probably because of the smaller flower size. In addition, Calibrachoa has a smaller number of seeds, making production difficult, and in those early days virus-free propagation of vegetative varieties was arduous. Fortunately, propagation techniques have improved over the years and consumer interest in small-flowered varieties has grown. This has driven an increase in demand for unique plant varieties, including Million Bells.

[pwp]

well suited to growing in windows forum due to the large amount of b*lls**t. :D