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easy grow guide geranium summertime (Pelargonium peltatum)
Plug Production: 288 plugs or larger
Sowing/Media:
Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat-based plug medium with pH 6.0-6.2, EC <0.75mmhos. Media should be saturated before sowing. After sowing, cover seeds completely with a good layer of vermiculite or vermiculite/media mixture and irrigate again to make sure covering is wet. Once seedlings are hooking above the covering, the surface can be dried down slightly between irrigations. Reach Out will germinate successfully at media temperatures between 61-72°F (16-22°C). 64-68°F (18-20°C) is the optimum for faster, more uniform emergence. Avoid temperatures higher than 72°F (22°C) though as thermodormancy may occur. Keep light levels <1500 f.c. Light is not essential for germination but can be beneficial. Media temperature can be dropped to 65-68°F (18-20°C), light levels should be <3000 f.c. HID lights can promote growth and faster flowering in periods of low light. Fertilize with 100- 150ppm N from 15-5-15, 17-5-17 or 13-2-13, keep media pH at 6.0-6.5 no lower and EC <1.5mmhos. Media temperatures can be lowered to 62-65°F (16-18°C), light levels should be maintained around 3000 f.c. Dry down between irrigations but avoid wilt. Fertilize with 100-150ppm N from 13-2-13 to tone seedlings. Good light levels and moisture management are effective for growth control. If required sprays of Cycocel (250-750 ppm) or B-Nine (800-1500) + Cycocel (250 – 500 ppm) will control growth starting when 3 true leaves are present.
Germination Stage 1 & 2: (7 days)
Germination Stage 3:
Germination Stage 4:
Growing on to Finish: Packs, 4” (10cm) pots, baskets
Media:
Use a well-drained, disease free, peat-based growing mix with pH 6.0-6.2 (no lower) and EC <1.5mmhos.
Temperatures:
Temperatures for rooting out after transplant should be 65-68°F (18-20°C) Temperatures for growing on can be lowered to 62-65°F (16-18°C)
Light:
Light levels should be 3000-5000 f.c. as a guide. HID lights can be used in low light periods to encourage flowering. Total light is more important than daylength for flowering. Practice a good wet/dry moisture cycle but avoid wilting. Geraniums do not like to be too wet but can’t tolerate wilt either. Feed 1 – 2 times per week with 150 – 200 ppm N from 15-5-15, 17-5-17, or 13-2-13, it is best to use calcium based fertilizers, extra iron can be added if needed. Keep media pH 6.0 – 6.8, and media EC 1.25 – 1.75 mmhos, any higher can cause root damage. Good light levels and moisture management are effective for growth control. If required you can use sprays of Cycocel (350-1500 ppm) or B-Nine (800-1500) + Cycocel (350 – 1000 ppm) to control growth. Bonzi sprays (2 – 5 ppm) can also be used once the foliage reaches the edge of the container, but do not drench with Bonzi as it has a strong effect on Geranium growth. It is best to run your own trials to avoid overdosing, as weather and cultural regimes can affect the requirements
Irrigation:
Fertilizer:
Growth Regulators:
Pests:
Aphids, Thrips
Pythium, Botrytis, Bacterial Blight. Necrosis on lower leaves is likely to be caused by media pH <6.0, upper yellow leaves – high media pH >6.8 or low iron.
Diseases:
Plug Times:
288 plug:
5-6 weeks from sowing to transplant
Transplant to Finish: Container
Plants per Container Transplant to Finish
Total Crop Time
4” (10cm):
1 x plug
11-12 weeks
16-18 weeks
12” (30cm) basket: 17-19 weeks Crop times are based on UK Spring trials. Alternative environmental conditions and cultural regimes can alter the crop times stated above. 6 x plug 12-13 weeks
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