easy grow guide hibiscus honeymoon (F1 Hibiscus moscheutos)
Plug Production: 200 plugs or larger
Sowing/Media:
Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat based plug medium with pH 5.5-6.2, EC <0.75 mmhos, cover with a thin layer of plug medium or course vermiculite. Keep medium uniformly moist, not saturated. Media temperature should be 75-81°F (24- 27°C) with medium to high humidity, light is not required for germination. Once radicle emergence begins, reduce humidity to prevent stretch, but maintain temperature and media moisture levels. Media and air temperature should be kept 75-81°F (24-27°C). Growing nearer 75°F (24°C) media temperature, will result in more even germination and seedling development. Maintain even media moisture avoiding wilt and begin to fertilize at radicle emergence with 50-75ppm N from a balanced fertilizer. High light levels will shorten the crop time but are not essential. If using supplementary lighting, aim for levels of at least 3000 f.c. 10-12 days from sowing a Cycocel application (300ppm – US strength 11.8% active ingredient) or (0.5ml per litre UK strength 63.2% active ingredient) , will reduce the height of the plants by 30-50% if desired. Some temporary chlorosis may occur for 7-10 days after application. Media temperature should be lowered to 68-70°F (20-21°C) and air temperature at 68- 75°F (20-24°C). Keep media moisture at the same level as stage 2. Keep light levels at least 3000 f.c. Fertilize as required with 100-150ppm N from a balanced fertilizer.
Germination Stage 1: (3-5 days)
Germination Stage 2: (7 days) N.B. If seed has been stored for more than 6 months it is possible to see some deformation on the cotyledons as they emerge. This is temporary and will not affect the quality of the plants when mature. Germination Stages 3-4: (12-16 days)
Growing On to Finish: 5” (13cm) – 8” (20cm) pots
Media:
Use a well-drained, disease free, peat-based growing mix with a pH 6.0-6.5 and EC <0.75 mmhos. Day temperatures should be a minimum of 70°F (21°C), any lower and it will increase crop time significantly. Honeymoon can comfortably tolerate temperatures >85°F (30°C). Night temperatures should be 65-70°F (18-21°C), Keep light levels as high as possible to shorten crop time and produce the best quality plants, avoid shading. HID lights can be used if natural light levels are poor. Maintain good, even media moisture at all times and avoid drying back, particularly wilting, as this can cause premature flower bud abortion. Feed 1 – 2 times per week with 200-250ppm N from a balanced fertilizer. Keep media pH 6.0-6.5, EC 1.5-2.0 mmhos (saturated paste). An application of B-Nine (2500ppm) + Cycocel (800ppm – US strength 11.8% active ingredient) or (1ml per litre UK strength 63.2% active ingredient) two weeks after transplant is highly effective for reducing height and producing a compact, well branched plant, flowering time may be delayed by 7-10 days though. This treatment can be repeated 2 weeks later if necessary but generally one application should be sufficient.
Temperatures:
Light:
Irrigation:
Fertilizer:
Growth Regulators:
Pests:
Spider mites, Thrips, Aphids
Diseases:
Leaves may show chlorosis if grown cooler than the recommended temperatures.
Plug Times:
200 Plug:
3-4 weeks from sowing to transplant
98 Plug:
4-5 weeks from sowing to transplant
Transplant to Finish: Container
Plants/Container
Transplant to Finish
Total Crop Time
5” (13cm) :
1 x plug
7-9 weeks
11-14 weeks
8” (20cm): 13-15 weeks Crop times are based on optimum conditions in trials run in central California, USA. Alternative environmental conditions and cultural regimes can alter the crop times stated above. 1-3 x plug 9-11 weeks
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