This FASTFACTS provides general growing guidelines for Cascadias®, Doubloon®, Marco Polo™, Petitunia®, Pocket Pro, and Tear Drop™.

PROPAGATION

• Avoid over application of mist in propagation. Too much water slows rooting.
• For best results use a rooting hormone with up to 2500 ppm IBA. Mixtures that include up to 500 ppm NAA work well too.
• Bottom heat enhances root development. Maintain soil temperatures between 70-75°F/ 21-24°C.
• Growth regulator applications (B-Nine®) may be applied to prevent stretch.
  
  

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

Media

• Sterile, well-aerated mixes are best.
• Optimum pH range is between 5.5 and 6.0.
• Consider that the water-holding capacity that is best for consumer performance may be greater than what is ideal for production.

Irrigation/Fertilization

• Avoid excess irrigation when plants are young.
• Feed with complete, balanced fertilizers at 250-350 ppm nitrogen (CLF). E.C. of 2.5-2.8 is a good target range under most conditions.
• Provide complete minor element program.
• Extra iron applications may be required to promote good leaf color. Apply as:
  Iron sulfate drenches (avoid contact foliage),
  or
  Iron chelate sprays or drenches
• Use of Osmocote® or other appropriate slow-release fertilizer products may be beneficial in supplementing a CLF program and may provide improved performance for the consumer.
• Provide periodic clear water applications if excess soluble salts accumulate.
  

Temperature/Humidity

• Establish crop at 60°F/15°C average temperatures.
• Once established, grow at:
  - 55-70°F/13-21°C day temperatures.
  - 55-60°F/13-15°C night temperatures.
• For fast crop establish and grow at 68°F/20°C average temperature.
• Low night temperatures encourage flowering.
• Vegetative petunias respond to DIF regimes.
• Provide good air circulation at all times.
• Maintain relative humidity below 70% to prevent diseases like Botrytis gray mold.

Light

• Bright light is ideal for this crop.
• Provide a minimum of 5,000-6,000 foot candles/53,800-64,600 lux.
• Vegetative petunias are long day responsive:
  - Natural flowering is late spring/summer.
  - Use of supplemental light (14-16 hours, beginning at midnight) is beneficial for early spring flowering.

Pinching

• Pinch out growing tip 1-2 weeks after transplanting.
• Light pruning to shape plants or correct for stretch can be done at any time but will delay flowering by 3-5 weeks.
• Fast crop does not require pinching.

Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)

• Low light, warm temperatures and positive DIF cause stretching. Use high light, cool temperatures and a slight negative DIF for optimum growth control.
• Vegetative petunias are responsive to PGRs, especially B-Nine® or Bonzi®. Petitunia® petunias may not require PGRs, while Cascadias®, Doubloon® and Marco Polo™ petunias may require one or more applications.
  
• Avoid spraying when flower buds appear.
  
• Use of PGRs can delay flowering 1-2 weeks.
  
• Apply B-Nine at 1500 ppm 2-4 weeks after transplant (at least one week after pinch). Repeat applications as needed. Rates may be increased to 2500 ppm if more growth control is required.
  
• In the warm Southeast region of the United States, Bonzi® drenches applied at 4 ppm three weeks after transplant work well. Lower rates should be used in other regions.
  

INSECT AND DISEASE CONCERNS

Insect
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Fungus gnats
- Leafminer
- Thrips
- Whitefly

Disease
- Botrytis (gray mold)
- Powdery mildew
- Root and stem rots
- Viruses

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.

TROUBLESHOOTING

SYMPTOM: Yellowing of young leaves

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

• Check that fertilizer injectors are functioning properly.
• Ensure pH of media is between 5.5-6.0. Adjust if outside this range.
• Check iron levels in soil and tissue. Supplement with iron sulfate drenches if media pH is high or with iron chelate as a spray or drench if media pH is normal.

SYMPTOM: Yellowing of lower foliage

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

• Check that fertilizer injectors are functioning properly.
• Check for low nitrogen levels in soil and tissue.
• Check E.C. levels of soil for high salts.
• Check magnesium levels in soil and tissue. If low, supplement with magnesium sulfate as a drench.
• Check for root or stem rot.

SYMPTOM: Delayed flowering

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

• Supplement daylength if growing during short-day conditions of early spring. Use lights to provide 14-16 total hours of light.
• Late applications of plant growth regulators can cause flower delay. Avoid treatment once buds are visible.

For a link to pictures of different nutrient deficiencies and corrective measures on Petunias click here: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/floriculture/def/

CROP SCHEDULING (REGULAR)

CROP SCHEDULING (FAST CROP NO PINCH)

USAGE

Grower: 4” 6”/1 gal., 8” pots, colorbowls and baskets.
Consumer: Gardens, rockeries, patio tubs, mixed planters, colorbowls and bedding plants.

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