easy grow guide vinca blockbuster (F1 Catharanthus roseus)
Plug Production: 512 or 288 plugs
Sowing/Media:
Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat based plug medium with pH 5.8-6.0, EC 0.75mmhos. Cover seed with vermiculite Keep medium uniformly moist, media temperature should be 75-78°F (24-25°C), light is not required but can be beneficial, maintain high humidity. Dry down covering slightly to improve rooting, drop media temperature to 70-72°F (21- 22°C), once cotyledons have opened light levels should be <2000 f.c. Allow media to dry further between irrigations, practice a good wet/dry cycle, maintain media temperature at 70-72°F (21-22°C), light levels should be 2500-3000 f.c. Fertilize with 100-150ppm N (nitrate form with low phosphorus), keep media pH at 5.8-6.0 and EC at 1.0-1.5mmhos. Irrigate as stage 3, media temperatures as stage 3, light levels can be increased to 4000- 5000 f.c. Fertilize as stage 3 but avoid using high NH4 fertilizers. Growth regulators are not required if conditions are as recommended.
Germination Stage 1: (3-5 days)
Germination Stage 2:
Germination Stage 3:
Germination Stage 4:
Growing On to Finish: Cell Packs, 4 inch (10.5cm) pots
Media:
Use a well-drained, disease free, peat-based growing mix with pH 5.5-6.0, EC 0.75mmhos. Never saturate the media, irrigate moderately to help prevent disease issues.
Temperatures:
Daytime temperatures should be at least 75°F (24°C) Night temperatures should be 65-68°F (18-20°C)
Light:
Keep light levels as high as possible if the ideal temperatures are achievable, 5000 f.c. as a guide. Avoid excess moisture to media and foliage to help prevent disease. Regular light irrigations also are not ideal. Irrigate well and then allow media to dry almost to wilting before irrigating again. One week after transplant, fertilize with 200-300ppm N (nitrate form) from 15-5-15, 17-5- 17, 13-2-13 once a week. Avoid fertilizers high in phosphorus. Maintain pH 5.5-6.0 and EC 1.0-1.5mmhos. You can fertilize each time you irrigate at 150-200ppm N (nitrate form) as long as pH and EC are maintained as above. Upper yellow leaves can be caused by high media pH - low iron. Growth can be controlled by managing moisture , fertilization and temperature. If PGR’s are required, B-Nine (2500-5000) or A-Rest (3-5ppm) can be used.
Irrigation:
Fertilizer:
Growth Regulators:
Pests:
Aphids, Thrips and Fungus Gnats (Sciarid)
Diseases:
Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Thielaviopsis, aerial Phytophthora, Botrytis, Alternaria leafspot. A preventative fungicide program is recommended.
Plug Times:
512 Plug:
4-5 weeks from sowing to transplant
288 plug:
5 weeks from sowing to transplant
Transplant to Finish: Container
Plants/Container
Transplant to Finish
Total Crop Time
Cell Packs
1x plug
3-4 weeks
8-9 weeks
4 inch (10.5cm):
4-5 weeks
9-10 weeks
1x plug
Crop times are based on optimum conditions. Alternative environmental conditions and cultural regimes can lengthen the crop times stated above.
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