Pentas

Pentas

Bahamas™

The Bahamas Pentas are an exceptional choice for summer colors and will thrive in the toughest of conditions. Their flowers offer a variety of colors ranging from pink to lavender to white. They have an upright mounded habit with stronger stems than the seed type Pentas. They are ideal for production in 4”-6” pots and one gallon containers. Typical crop timing is 12-15 weeks including time in propagation.

Pentas is available from the Paul Ecke Ranch as an unrooted or rooted cutting.

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In the Greenhouse…….

Propagation
Pentas can be propagated in various tray sizes including 72, 84, and 105’s.

Media

Choose a well-drained aerated propagation media

Avoid media containing peat moss which will hold too much water

Choose a blended media with other components or inorganic media such as Oasis® or Rockwool®

Bottom Heat

Bottom heat will promote healthy root development.
Maintain bottom heat at 70-75°F/21-24°C.
Mist will cool the media temperature. Monitor media temperature closely and frequently.

Rooting Hormones

Pentas will benefit from the use of a rooting hormone. Time to root and uniformity in rooting will be improved with use of a hormone.
Either liquid or powder formulations work equally well. Choose a product with up to 1500 ppm IBA or up to 500 ppm NAA.

Misting

Average days with mist vary from 6-9 days depending on environmental conditions in the greenhouse.
Mist cuttings so they remain turgid but avoid over misting that results in saturated media.
Over misting will result in slow rooting and possible problems with root rot and botrytis.

Temperatures

Pentas prefer a warm propagation environment.
Maintain 70°F/21°C until roots are established.

Pinching

Pinch cuttings in week three of propagation to prevent stretch and promote branching.
Any flower buds that form should also be continually removed throughout propagation.

Lighting

Pentas are long day responsive. Short day treatments in propagation will keep the cuttings vegetative.
Avoid the use of lights in propagation for photoperiod control as long days will promote flowering.

Growth Regulating

Pentas will respond to B-Nine

Propagation Cycle: 4 weeks

Growing ON……….

Media
Choose a media with the following traits:

Good aeration
Porosity between 5-15%
Sterile

Irrigation /Fertilization

Avoid excess irrigation and fertilization while plants are establishing which can lead to slow root development. Established plants should not be allowed to dry excessively which will result in leaf tip burn.
Fertilizer Regime

Begin fertilizing 2 weeks after transplant
Choose a complete balanced fertilizer complete with minor elements
A periodic feeding of 150-250 constant liquid feed.
Magnesium deficiency may express itself as lower leaf interveinal chlorosis at the time of flowering. At fertilizer containing magnesium should be used in the early stages of the crop.
A slow release product may also be used to supplement a constant liquid feed program and may provide improved performance for the consumer

Maintain pH between 6.0-6.5
Optimum EC 1.5 to 2.0 mmhos. Provide periodic clear water application if excess salts accumulate.

Temperature/Humidity
Pentas prefer warm temperatures which will promote flowering in production.

Temperature regime:

Establishing temperature: 65°F/18°C average daily temperature

Temperatures for growing on: 75-80°F/23-26°C average daily temperatures and 65-70°F/18-21°C night temperatures.

At lower temperatures:

Flowering is inhibited below 50°F/10°C
Growth will be slower and time in production longer

Relative Humidity:
Maintain relative humidity below 70% and provide good air circulation to avoid problems with botrytis.

Light
Pentas prefers bright light. With high light plants will be more compact and flowering more prolific. They are also photoperiod sensitive and will respond to long days.
Provide:

5000 foot candles/53,800 lux minimum
8000 foot candles/86,100 lux maximum

Spacing
Establish plants pot tight than space to:

4” pots – 5-6” centers (approximately 2 per sq. ft.)
6” pots/1 gallon – 14” centers
8” pots – 18” centers

Pinching
1st pinch- week 3 of propagation
2nd pinch- a soft pinch 2-3 weeks after transplant will enhance branching.

Plant Growth Regulators
Pentas have an upright growth habit and tend to produce one long flower stem before the lateral shoots are fully developed.

Stretch can be minimized by applying a tank mix of 1500 ppm B-Nine® and 1500 ppm Cycocel® at two, four, and six weeks after transplant.

Insect and Disease Concerns
Insects

Aphids
Thrips
Whiteflies

Diseases

Botrytis
Root and stem rots

For recommended chemical controls for disease and insects please consult The Flower Fields Federal Disease Control Chart (463K) and The Flower Fields Federal Insect & Mite Control Chart (541K) at www.ecke.com. Always consult the chemical’s label for rates, mixing instructions and restrictions.

CROP SCHEDULING

Product Form	# Liners per pot	Weeks to establish prior to pinch	*Total crop time (weeks)**
4"	1	2	9-11
6"/Gallon	1	2	8-10

If you have questions about Bahamas Pentas in production please post your question on our live bulletin board at www.EckeRanchTechHelp.com or call 760-753-1134 and choose option#3 for Technical Support.

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We hope the information provided will be helpful. It is based upon data and knowledge (including information provided by the recipient) considered to be true and accurate, but without independent investigation and is offered for the recipient's consideration, investigation and verification, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statement, recommendations, or suggestions in conjunction with any conditions of sale or use which apply to any products, or systems recommended by us. No statement, recommendation, or suggestion is intended for any use which would infringe any patent/copyright.