Treatments 3 & 4/CRF: The two controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) treatments provided growth and vigor comparable to the daily liquid feed across most varieties. Although plant habit was slightly less uniform compared to liquid-fed plants, CRF still produced strong, healthy crops with good color and flowering. Petchoa Enviva White Coleus Talavera Sienna
Both CRF formulations performed similarly, though the 3–4 month product is expected to decline soon, as its release period is nearing completion (trial pots were planted in mid-May). Importantly, these results show that while daily liquid feed produces the very best performance, CRF still allows growers to achieve excellent results, far superior to providing no fertilizer at all. Treatment 5/Clear Water: Plants receiving only clear water had the poorest performance overall, with weak growth, pale foliage, and little to no flowering. Petunias and verbena in particular declined rapidly, turning almost completely yellow within a month. Petunia Cosmic Purple Verbena Beats Purple + White
Coleus Talavera Sienna
Even coleus, which tolerated the lack of fertilizer better than most, showed poor shape, and significant color changes such as Talavera Sienna expressing an entirely different color pattern without fertilizer. While most varieties performed poorly without fertilizer, three stood out with moderate success despite the lack of nutrients: Begonia Adora Velvet Rose, Coleus Main Street Ruby Road, and Coleus Talavera Sienna.
Begonia Adora Velvet Rose
Coleus Main Street Ruby Road
These varieties maintained attractive foliage and some flowering longer than expected, but still fell far short of the quality achieved with any fertilizer treatment.
30 mast young plants 1.800.541.3910
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