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easy grow guide torenia hi-lite (Torenia fournieri)
Plug Production: 512 to 288 plugs
Sowing/Media:
Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat-based plug medium with pH 5.5-6.0, EC 0.75 mmhos. Sow 1 seed per cell. Do not cover with vermiculite as light is required for germination. Media should be thoroughly wet, almost saturated. Media temperature should be 75°F (24°C) with high humidity. Light is required for germination, <3000 f.c. is ideal. Emergence should begin 3-4 days from sowing. You can begin light fertilization in stage 2 with 50-100ppm N, keeping the EC at 0.75 mmhos. Maintain temperature at 75°F (24°C) during stage 2. Temperatures can be lowered to 66-68°F (19-20°C). Hi-Lite is a day-neutral variety, but in low light conditions, supplementary lighting to improve light quality is beneficial to plant growth. You can begin to dry the media down slightly between irrigations, but do not allow the seedlings to wilt. Fertilizer rates can be increased to 75-125ppm, but maintain pH and EC levels as above. Maintain media temperature, moisture and fertiliser levels as per stage 3. Light levels can be increased to 4000-5000 f.c. but higher levels can cause leaf scorch. PGRs should not be necessary, but if further control is required, sprays of B-Nine (2000-2500 ppm – 85% formulation) are effective. Avoid over saturated media during plug production as it can cause damping off and other root diseases.
Germination Stages 1 & 2: (4-6 days)
Germination Stage 3:
Germination Stage 4:
Growing on to Finish: Packs, 4.5” (10.5cm), 6 ” (15cm) pots
Media:
Use a well-drained, disease free, peat-based growing mix with pH 5.5-6.0 and EC 1.2-1.5 mmhos. Do not bury the plug/seedling when transplanting, keep level or slightly proud of the soil surface to avoid stem rot. Temperatures for growing on should be at 68-70°F (20-21°C), with a night temperature of 60-62°F (16-17°C), but no lower.
Temperatures:
Light:
Light levels should be kept at 4000-6000 f.c. Hi-Lite is a day-neutral variety.
Irrigate well but allow the soil surface to dry back to a light brown colour before irrigating thoroughly again. Growing too wet will promote stem and root diseases.
Irrigation:
Fertilizer:
Fertilize with 100-150 ppm N, maintaining EC levels of <1.5 mmhos and pH 5.5-6.0.
Due to it’s naturally compact habit, Hi -Lite should not need PGRs if grown as recommended above. If further control is required, a spray of Cycocel (500-750 ppm) 2 weeks after transplant is effective and can be repeated if necessary. Avoid using B-Nine after transplant, as it can delay flowering and reduce the colour intensity of the flowers. It is best to run your own trials to avoid overdosing, as weather and cultural regimes can affect the requirements.
Growth Regulators:
Pests:
Thrips, Aphids
Diseases:
Botrytis, Pythium
Plug Times
288 plug:
4-5 weeks from sowing to transplant
Transplant to Finish Container
Plants/Container Transplant to Finish Total Crop Time
Packs:
1 x plug
5-6 weeks
9-11 weeks
4.5 inch (10.5cm):
1 x plug
6-7 weeks
10-12 weeks
6 inch (15cm): 10-12 weeks Crop times are based on optimum conditions. Alternative environmental conditions and cultural regimes can lengthen the crop times stated above. 3 x plug 6-7 weeks
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