Plug Bulking (Approximately day 18–35) The time necessary for the shoots to proportionally fill the plug and for the roots to develop throughout the media. Plug time will vary based on growing environment and culture. Temperature: 70–80 °F (21–27 °C). Monitor soil temperature and maintain at 70 °F Light: 500–800 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 . DLI: 8–14 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . Provide supplemental lighting if the DLI is less than 10 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . Media: pH 6.0–6.4. SME EC: 0.8–1.2 mS/cm. Fertilizers: 100–125 ppm Nitrogen. Use nitrate-based fertilizers (13-2- 13, 15-5-15, 17-5-17) to prevent stretching and for toning plugs. Moisture Level: Alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2). Allow media to dry back to level (2) before re-saturating to level (4). Never allow plants to wilt especially under high light levels. Plant Growth Regulators: Generally not required during plug production unless growing under low-light conditions or if using fertilizers with high ammonium or phosphorous. If needed, apply B-Nine ® (daminozide) at 1,500–3,000 ppm. Bonzi ® (paclobutrazol)
not necessary when growing under appropriate conditions and with proper irrigation practices. If growth control is required, one or two foliar sprays of Bonzi (paclobutrazol) at 1–3 ppm are effective. Diseases, Pests, Controls Common Diseases: Botrytis , Pythium , Rhizoctonia , Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV). Florific New Guinea impatiens are highly resistant to Impatiens downy mildew (IDM). Common Pests: Fungus gnats, Spider mites, Thrips. Scheduling Plug time: 288-cell trays: 5–6 weeks; 128-cell trays: 6–7 weeks when grown at an average daily temperature (ADT) of 73 °F (23 °C) and a DLI of 10–15 mol·m -2 ·d -1 .
PLANTS PER POT
SIZE
CROP TIME
Large Packs
8–9 weeks
1 ppp
1 Pint (4 inch)
8–9 weeks
1 ppp
sprays at 1–4 ppm are also effective. Transplant to Finish
1 Quart (4.5 to 5 inch)
8–9 weeks
1 ppp
1.25 to 2.5 Quart (5.5 to 6.5 inch, trade gallon)
8–10 weeks
1-2 ppp
Temperature: Day: 70–85 °F (21–29 °C); Night: 65–70 °F (18–21 °C). Tech Tip: For shorter finishing times, maintain a minimum average daily temperature (ADT) of 70 °F (21 °C). Florific can be grown at lower temperatures (55–60 °F), but crop time is significantly longer. If light intensity exceeds 900 mmoles/m 2 /sec, shading is required to prevent flower bud abortion, small flower size and leaf scorch. Light: 500–900 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 . DLI: 10–16 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . Tech Tip: Flower delay or lack of flowering can occur if the crop is grown under light levels less than 500 micro mol·m -2 ·d -1 . Provide supplemental lighting if the DLI is less than 10 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . New Guinea impatiens are not photoperiodic. Moisture Level: Alternate moisture levels between wet (level 4) and moist (level 2). Media should be kept slightly moist, but never saturated. Over watering will cause soft growth, plant stretch and lack of flowering. Leaf scorch and edge burn can occur if plants are allowed
3 Quart to 2.0 Gallon (7.5 to 10 inch)
9–10 weeks
3-5 ppp
Estimated finish crop time is from transplant of a 288-cell tray with 1 seedling per cell and finished at an average daily temperature (ADT) of 70 °F (21 °C).
Example crop schedule for a 4-inch pot WEEKS FROM TRANSPLANT DESCRIPTION
Provide average daily temperatures of 70 °F (21 °C) or higher and DLI levels above 15 mol·m -2 ·d -1 Apply systemic root and shoot fungicide protectants and a systemic insecticide. Apply a foliar spray of Bonzi ® at 1 ppm. Scout regularly for Thrips. Watch for Botrytis as plants mature and fill the leaf canopy. Check media EC and pH levels and reduce fertilizer levels if needed.
1 week
2 weeks
to dry down severely under high light conditions. Media: pH 6.0–6.4. SME EC: 1.0–1.5 mS/cm.
4 weeks
5 weeks
Fertilizer: 100–150 ppm Nitrogen. Use nitrate-based fertilizers (13- 2-13, 15-5-15, 17-5-17). Adjust fertilizer concentration based on EC levels. Leach with clear water every 1–2 weeks to avoid high salts. Symptoms of high media salts include leaves with bronzing on surface, edges rolling under, cupping downwards, or burnt tips. Pinching: Not recommended. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs): Generally not required unless finishing in 4-inch or smaller containers or if growing under light levels less than 8 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . For larger containers, PGRs are often
7 weeks 8 weeks
Apply a foliar spray of Bonzi ® at 1 ppm
Finish
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