Spring Production Guide
Download The New Grower’s Guide App 8 New Crops!
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Spring Production Guide
Contents
Your Guide to Growing The Suntory Collection 4 Sungelonia Angelonias 6 Crackling Fire Begonias 8 Marietta Bidens 10 Sunvillea Bougainvilleas 12 Surdaisy Brachyscomes 14 Million Bells Calibrachoas 16 Suntory Chrysocephalum 18 Sundiascia Diascias 20 Princettia Euphorbias 22 Angel Earrings Fuchsias 32 Summer Splash Nierembergias 34 Senetti and Baby Senetti Pericallis 36 Surfinia Petunias 38 Sunrosa Roses 40 Surdiva Scaevolas 42 Ilumina Scoparia 44 Summer Wave Torenias 46 Tapien and Temari Verbenas 48 Violina Violas 50 YESS! – Your Easy Suntory Solution Digital tools for production and marketing 24 Desana Ipomoeas 26 Sunbelia Lobelias 28 Lofos Lophospermums 30 Sun Parasol Mandevillas
Delilah Onofrey Flower Power Marketing for The Suntory Collection 440-522-1447 donofrey@gmail.com
Check Out Our New Grower’s Guide! Welcome to the fourth edition of Sun- tory’s Spring Production Guide, your hand-
book for growing successful crops this coming season. We’ve expanded it from 36 to 52 pages to include eight more crops, including brand new categories, such as Sundiascia diascias and Sunbelia lobelias. You’ll find friendly advice from our licensed growers with many years of experi- ence producing Suntory crops. We’ve also added a few key points that will help you with your buying decisions. For the more established brands, we share the Top 3 best-selling varieties. We also highlight the differences between Suntory genetics and others on the market, as well as recent trials recognitions that dem- onstrate outstanding garden performance. But the most exciting project has been developing our new Grower’s Guide app! (See facing page.) Designed for iPad tablets, this digital resource fully integrates The Suntory Collection Catalog and Spring Production Guide. You can also view a table of all the crops to see crop times and plants per pot and also sort by cultural requirements, such as temperature, light and fertility. When connected to the Internet, you can access the video library and all our YESS tools – Your Easy Suntory Solution. Free Digital Tools Through YESS, Suntory invests in modern technology to benefit the entire sup- ply chain all the way to the consumer. The new Grower’s Guide app and mobile phone site make it easy to check production details. On the grower’s video chan- nel menu, there is a video version of each article in this printed guide, as well as growers sharing tips and benefits. Another handy tool is the ability to download and print bench cards and posters, customized with your logo, pot size and price. For gardeners, we present planting and care videos and a series of quick how- to projects at two different homes. Consumers can target the part of the home or yard they want to beautify outside and see several ideas. The Virtual Combo Designer app continues to be a hit with everyone who tries it and was promoted extensively this year. We’ve also launched a new app that’s an interactive consumer publication called Easy Gardening Tips. Gardeners can explore colors and styles and receive expert advice on gardening basics. The app’s Flower Finder is a handy tool to search our entire catalog for the right plants. A zip-code driven geolocator then directs consumers to garden centers in their area. Turn to page 50 to see all the YESS tools you can use to engage your custom- ers and perfect your production.
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Tips for Producing Sungelonia Angelonias
S UNTORY’S Sungelonia angelonias bring significant im- provements to growers and the garden market. Three gor- geous colors – Blue, Deep Pink and White – have been bred to be more compact and uniform across the series with excellent branching. Flowers contrast beautifully with glossy, dark green foliage. Sungelonias produce abundant blooms on dense, 4 to 10-inch spikes, while maintaining a well-balanced form. Spring & Summer Performance While other angelonias tend to fall open or get floppy as they mature, Sunge- lonias provide a sturdy, upright, elegant look. They are also earlier to flower, making it easier for growers to hit the prime sales window in May instead of waiting for later in the summer. Angelonia’s common name is Summer Snap- dragon because it is associated with summer performance, thriving in heat and humidity while also being drought tolerant. Sungelonias will continue to bloom profusely and retain their shape. They reach a height of 12 to 15 inches with a spread of 8 to 12 inches. General Culture Grow Sungelonia angelonias in a well-drained peat/perlite mix and keep soil pH between 5.5 and 6.2. Recommended pot sizes for finishing are 4-inch and 6-inch. Crop times are as follows: • 4-inch pots – six to seven weeks with one liner and one pinch • 6-inch pots – seven to nine weeks with one or two liners and one pinch • 10-inch pots – 10-12 weeks with three liners and two pinches Recommended Uses Sungelonias are versatile as annuals anywhere. Plants bloom continuously, April through November, and thrive in full sun. Sungelonias can be used in patio containers by themselves, in combination with other plants, or in the ground as bedding plants and landscape borders. Ideal companions for mixed plantings include Suntory’s Temari and Tapien verbenas, Surdiva scaevolas, trailing Mil- lion Bells calibrachoas, mecardonia and Marietta bidens.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Helpful Hints from John Barone Barone Garden Cicero, New York
I’ve grown Sungelonia for two seasons now and have been quite impressed. They are more com- pact and are earlier to flower than other series out on the market. They still like warmer tempera- tures and are better suited for the latter half of May in Northern areas. We did not use any plant growth regulators and pinched them once with great results. They have super deep-green foli- age and excellent flower count. They are just gorgeous and easy to grow. Sungelonias work well in containers and combinations. They finish well in 4-inch and 5-inch pots. Use multiple liners for pots that are 8 inches or larger.
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Elegant, upright habit ✓ Uniform through series ✓ Compact, well-balanced form
Sungelonia series – 2012 Prairie Star Winner , Kansas State University
Sungelonia Deep Pink – Excellent Rating, University of Minnesota 2012 Top Picks , Plantpeddler trials
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C RACKLING FIRE is the next generation of boliviensis begonias. Plants are loaded with flowers, easy to grow and have a sturdy, compact and upright habit sun tolerant than other begonias and presents well as a premium 4-inch item or hanging basket. This series has been very popular in Europe and six colors have been selected to be uniform across the series: Red, Orange, Pink, Yellow, Creamy Yellow and White. Crop Timing • 4-6 inch pots pots finish in four to eight weeks with one liner. • 10-inch baskets finish in eight to 12 weeks with three liners. temperatures. For optimal results, grow at 68˚F or higher for several weeks after potting. Later, temperatures can be reduced to 60˚F. Crackling Fire will not tolerate frosts and are not suited for growing under cool temperatures. Feeding Keep substrate pH between 5.2 and 6.0. Lean toward basic feeds versus acidic to prevent iron and manga- nese toxicity. Choose a Calcium Nitrate-based feed or a neutral feed, that prevents breakage. Crackling Fire is more Temperature These begonias like warm
Tips for Producing Crackling
Fire Begonias
General Culture Start with certified clean material from Suntory licensees. When plants arrive, water if necessary and pot them as soon as possible. Larger plugs can be planted later, as they will finish faster. Use a good quality bedding plant mix. Watering During production, it is wise to not water excessively, as begonias are prone to rots. This style begonia has strong drought resistance and does not need a lot of water. Begonias do not like high humidity and can rot when it is too moist. Lighting This style begonia can receive a lot of light and hardly needs shade. During the growing season, the more light the better.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Best color range and uniformity ✓ Compact, upright habit ✓ Short internodes Featured as “Plants We Love” in Better Homes & Gardens, March 2013 Best Container Plant , HGTV Magazine, March 2013
such as 17-5-17 at 150-200 ppm. Use a peat-lite growing mix.
plants that flower later. Cycocel has proven to be effective at suggested rates of 750-1250 ppm. Another op- tion is to spray 3000 ppm B-Nine, if needed. Do not use growth regulators on ‘Crackling Fire White.’ Pests & Diseases Crackling Fire is not very sensitive to most pests. Monitor for thrips in the summer. Early morning watering
and warm temperatures are best to prevent foliar diseases. Be careful with overhead watering and make sure the crop always dries before nightfall. Also watch for Powdery Mildew. Xanthomon- as is known in begonias as leaf spot disease. Spray if needed. Viruses are not a problem if you use certified clean young plants. Start with a clean green- house. When pinching, disinfect hands and tools regularly.
Growth Regulators Crackling Fire does not require chemi- cal growth regulation. Water and fertil- ity management are the best methods to control growth of Crackling Fire. Us- ing less water and fertilizer will result in more compact and earlier flowering plants. Using more will result in larger
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Tips for Producing Marietta Bidens
M ARIETTA BIDENS is a proven performer in this well-known species. It has a superb mounding habit that remains compact. Flowers are self-cleaning and very tolerant of all types of weather. This variety is very heat tolerant and has a strong, vibrant color. Marietta can be used in pots, hanging baskets, combination plantings, window boxes and landscapes. Plants are easy to maintain and ship.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Superb mounding variety ✓ Compact habit ✓ Constantly in bloom
General Culture Marietta bidens fits in nicely with other key vegetative annual crops in terms of timing and cultural requirements. Less pinching is required when plants are grown cool.
• 10-inch baskets – 10-12 weeks with three liners and two to three pinches.
Temperature Keep day temperatures between 65- 75°F and night temperatures between 55-60°F. Feeding Maintain soil pH 5.5-6.5. Feed with complete water soluble fertilizer at 200 ppm. Growth Regulators No growth regulator is needed because Marietta bidens is naturally compact. Pests & Diseases Monitor plants for whiteflies, aphids and mites.
Watering Maintain moderately moist soil.
Lighting Marietta bidens prefers high to mod- erate light levels, between 5,000 and 8,000 footcandles. Crop Timing • 4-inch pots - 5-7 weeks with one liner and one to two pinches • 6-inch pots - seven to 10 weeks with one liner and two pinches
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Tips for Producing Sunvillea Bougainvilleas
S UNTORY has revolutionized another genus, bougain- villea, reining it in and making it more manageable as a blooming potted plant. Sunvillea bougainvilleas debuted at the Tropical Plant Industry Exposition in 2011 and were a big hit, winning the Best New Flowering Plant Award based on attendee votes. That same year, Sunvil-
lea was a finalist for Green- house Grower’s Reader’s Choice Award after receiv- ing the most votes in the “Best of the Rest” category.
Mini But Mighty Sunvilleas are miniature bougainvilleas that bloom im- mediately, even in the liner stage. Because Sunvilleas are genetically dwarf, no plant growth regulators are required. Plants are compact and tight with dense foliage and available in three colors: • Rose – a deep pink that’s almost magenta • Pink – light salmon-pink • Cream – yellowish cream bracts with hints of deeper yellow In contrast to typical bougainvilleas, the controlled growth makes more pre- sentations possible, including small pot sizes. General Culture When potting rooted cuttings, do not let plugs dry out to the point of wilt until plants are well rooted in three to four weeks. Use potting media that drains well with good aeration. Sunvilleas prefer full sun, so keep light levels high to moderate, between 5,000 and 8,000 footcandles. Maintain moderately moist soil. Never let pots sit in water. Allocate enough space for each plant to avoid contacting the leaves of another plant.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Most compact bougainvillea ✓ Early flowering ✓ Upright, bushy habit
Best new flowering plant, TPIE, 2011 Reader’s Choice Best of the Rest winner, Greenhouse Grower, 2011
Helpful Hints from T. Jay Higgins Sun-Fire Nurseries, Sarasota, Florida
Crop Timing For 4-inch production, plant one plug per pot and pinch three weeks after potting. Plants will bloom weeks later. For 6-inch production, plant one plug per pot and pinch three weeks after potting and then again six weeks after potting. Plants will flower five to six weeks after the last pinch. Temperature Keep temperatures warm – 60-65˚F at night and 80-85˚F during the day at any stage to keep constant growth. The higher the temperature, the better the crop will grow. Cooler tempera- tures will slow growth. Feeding Use a combination of slow-release fertilizer and liquid fertilizer. Use one fourth the rates of slow-release fertil- izer, such as Osmocote, Nutricote or Plantacote. For liquid fertilizers, use 25- 5-15, 20-10-20 or 21-7-7, if pH of water
Sunvillea is a very compact series of bougainvillea. Plants will grow to a maximum height of two to three feet. Sunvillea comes in Rose (bright fuchsia color), Pink (soft pink) and Cream (really soft yellow, cream explains it well). This is a unique plant for customers as it blooms almost constantly. It can be grown in anything from a 4-inch pot to a 3-gallon. Sunvillea also makes a nice hanging basket. It can also be grown upright as a standard. A 4-inch pot can be finished in as little as 10 weeks in warmer climates. In production, this will be very similar to other bougainvilleas. You do not want to let them dry out all the way, as they will defoliate. But at the same time, they do not like to have “wet feet.” Use a well-draining soil and keep it slightly moist. The plant will be in full flower about six weeks after the last pinch.
Pests & Diseases Insects to watch for include aphids, cat- erpillars and mites. Prevent leaf spots by avoiding wet leaves overnight.
is 7.0 or higher. Bougainvilleas prefer ph of 5.5 to 6.0. High pH will cause iron deficiency, which can be corrected with drenches of iron sulfate.
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Tips for Producing Surdaisy Brachyscomes
T HIS DELIGHT from Down Under has been praised for its durability and floral display. Native to Australia, brachyscomes are commonly known as Swan River daisies. Surdaisy produces hundreds of flowers for continuous color March through October. Durable plants withstand cold, rain and sun. Surdaisy varieties were bred for excellent branching. Pink has the largest flowers and darkest foliage. Yellow is unique and has an airy, upright meadow look. White and Mauve make excellent groundcovers. The varieties work great in combinations and as a mono crop.
General Culture Grow Surdaisy as a bedding plant. It can be grown as a sum- mer annual, potting weeks 8-10 and finishing in 10-13 weeks as a 4-inch pot, depending on the temperature. Another option is to grow like a winter viola, potting in September and selling in late March, grown cold. Plants grow slowly in the cold. Sur- daisy also has small leaves, which makes it a slow starter. Grow at warmer temperatures in the young plant stage. Surdaisy is always in flower, so remove flowers regularly to enhance vegetative growth. Sur- daisy also needs several pinches to branch nicely. Watering Maintain moderately moist soil. During cold temperatures and in the young plant stage, avoid wa- tering too much. Surdaisy will use more water in warmer tempera- tures and when the plant is larger. Lighting Surdaisy prefers high to moder- ate light levels, between 5,000 and 8,000 footcandles.
Crop Timing • 4-inch pots finish in four to six weeks with one liner and one pinch. • 6-inch pots finish in six to eight weeks with one or two liners and one pinch. • 10-inch baskets finish in eight to 10 weeks with four to five liners and two pinches. Less pinching is required when plants are grown cool. Temperature Maintain day temperatures be- tween 65-75°F and night tem- peratures between 55-60°F. Feeding Maintain soil pH of 6.0-6.5. Feed with a complete water-soluble fertilizer at 100-200 ppm. Add chelated iron in the fertilizer program. Growth Regulators While no growth regulator is needed for Surdaisy plants, it does help prevent stretching. Pests & Diseases Monitor plants for thrips, white- flies, aphids and mites. Use a broad-spectrum fungicidal drench after planting.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Best color range ✓ Naturally compact ✓ Durable and weather resistant
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Top 3 Million Bells Varieties 1 Cherry Pink 2 Terra Cotta 3 Trailing Blue
Tips for Producing Million Bells Calibrachoas
General Culture Calibrachoa is a facultative long- day plant. Provide long days during propagation and production, if possible, although modern breeding has made great advances in bringing the flowering timing forward. Once cuttings are rooted and established, liners can be given a pinch to encourage a bushy plant. This is usually around three to four weeks after sticking. If this is not done by rooting stations, it should be done by the grower at potting or just afterwards. As the crop grows, it may require more pinching to
Suntory continues to reinvest in and improve the series, which now spans 12 mounding types, seven trailing types and the new Bouquet subseries, which appeals to growers looking for more compact varieties for high-density production. The original trailing types are still best sellers because of their vigorous growth, profuse blooming and ability to create lush, cascading displays, especially in hanging baskets. Proven Performance Calibrachoas are annuals in Zones 2-8 and can be perennials in Zones 9-12. Heat tolerant, cold hardy and prolific, Million Bells produce flowers from spring well into fall. Each summer, Million Bells stands out among hundreds of calibachoas to earn high marks in leading university trials.
M ILLION BELLS are suited to hanging baskets, patio containers, window
versatile plants that are
boxes and landscapes. Suntory breeders Yasuyuki Murakami and Dr. Kenichi Suzuki are the fathers of the entire calibrachoa genus for commercial production. Starting out with just a few colors, today the popular series spans reds, blues, oranges and yellows and splashy patterns like Crackling Fire and Terra Cotta.
encourage the right habit and breaks to get bushy, spreading plants. Rooted cuttings should be potted up as soon as possible into 4-inch or larger
Allan Says: What is not to love about Million Bells? Not only did they start this entire Calibrachoa explosion, but every year when we trial them, they more than hold their own.
– Dr. Allan Armitage
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Spring Production Guide
of B-Nine (2,500-5,000 ppm) or Sumagic (5-20 ppm). Another option is a Bonzi drench (2-3 ppm) Pests & Diseases Insect pests to monitor include whitefly, western flower thrips, aphids and red spider mites. Million Bells Trailing Yellow – 2012 Top Performing Plants , The Ohio State University Million Bells Trailing Magenta – 2012 Prairie Star Winner , Kansas State University Million Bells Bouquet Brilliant Pink – 2012 Top Ten Performer , University of Minnesota
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Easy to grow, self-cleaning ✓ Impervious to heat and rain ✓ Blooms all season
pots, using using a well- drained peat/perlite mix. Keep pH at 5.2 to 6.0 to prevent disease and nutritional problems. Temperatures of the crop
Crop Timing • 4-inch production – four to six weeks with one liner and one or two pinches • 6-inch production – six to eight weeks with one liner and two pinches • 10-inch production – 10-12 weeks with three liners and two or three pinches Growth Regulators Million Bells responds to sprays
at this stage should be 65-70˚F for the first couple of weeks. This will enhance root development. After two weeks, the crop is best grown at 60-65˚F. Avoid overwatering Million Bells. Watering is a key issue. High levels will encourage root rot, so a little- and-often regime is encouraged when plants are young to provide as much air to the crop as possible.
Diseases to prevent include Botrytis, Powdery Mildew, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Thielaviopsis.
Helpful Hints from John Barone Barone Garden Cicero, New York
When working with Million Bells calibrachoas, start them warm in a well-drained soil mix, then finish cool after they are well established. The key is to keep the pH down to help prevent Thielaviopsis root rot, which is less persistent in media with a lower pH. We will use an acid feed with added iron based on a soil test to accomplish this. Calibrachoas respond well to added iron. We’ve found an aggressive, preventative fungicide drench to be worthwhile in establishing this crop and maintaining it. As the plants are established, plant growth regulator treatments of Florel or B-Nine are used. We pinch as needed to shape. Bonzi drench treatments are used later in the season and we like to use multiple lower-dose applications. For combination plantings, I love the trailing Million Bells. Blue ’09 with Yellow and Magenta is an outstanding one.
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Suntory Chrysocephalum Tips for Producing
I F YOU’RE looking for drought and heat tolerance, you can’t beat Suntory Chrysocephalum ‘Silver Leaf Yellow’ in landscapes. Plants bloom from early spring into fall, producing bright yellow flowers banked by mounded, silvery gray-green foliage. Plants produce flower heads that look like little golden buttons in clusters. They are very easy to grow and maintain, love high light and heat. Flowers are self-cleaning. Ideal applications include landscapes, contain- ers, hanging baskets, as a groundcover and in rock gardens. Chrysocephalum has also been presented as a species of helichrysum.
General Culture Suntory Chrysocephalum fits in nicely with other key vegetative annual crops. Propagation can be performed at any time if root zone temperature is maintained. In warm weather, plants produce roots very quickly, within 7-9 days. Growers will see best results during warm months of the year. When growing in pots,
medium to hard pinching is recom- mended after flowering to create compact, bushy plants. Watering Keep plants slightly on the dry side but avoid wilting. Use smaller-sized cell propagation trays (for example 162-cell tray). Larger sizes tend to hold more water and increase
potential for rotting. Reduce misting under cloudy conditions. Overall, it is important to reduce water during wet and cloudy conditions. Lighting Chrysocephalum likes high light levels, 5,500-8,300 footcandles. Shade plants 50% the first week, then increase to 100% sunlight after 2-3 weeks.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Impervious to heat ✓ Easy to grow, self-cleaning ✓ Excellent for landscapes
Silver Leaf Yellow – 2012 Prairie Star Winner , Kansas State University
2010 Plant of Merit , University of Georgia
Crop Timing • 4-inch pots – four to five weeks with one liner and one pinch • 6-inch pots – six to eight weeks with one liner and one pinch • 10-inch baskets – 10-12 weeks with three lin- ers and one pinch Temperature Maintain day temperatures between 72-80°F and night temperatures between 55-65°F Feeding Keep pH between 6.5-7.0. Use a constant feed of a complete water soluble fertilizer, 100-150 ppm. Fertilizer is not recommended during the first three weeks of propagation, but after three weeks, a general liquid feed can be used. Slow-release fertilizer can be applied 1-2 weeks after potting. Alternate between watering with liquid feed and clear water. For instance, fertilize Monday, Wednesday and Friday and use clear water on Tuesday and Thursday.
Growth Regulators If needed, use B-Nine at 2500 ppm.
Pests & Diseases Monitor plants for whiteflies, Western Flower Thrips and botrytis. Drench plants with a preventative fungicide at the time of sticking cuttings. Prevent rot by keeping plants on the dry side, especially during wet, cloudy weather. Do not over water.
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Secrets of Producing Sundiascia Diascias S UNDIASCIA Is a completely new form of diascia that
General Culture Sundiascia is ideal for an early spring program but can also be grown with warmer crops and bloom longer into the season through early summer. Longer days will create taller flower spikes. Mix in early season containers as a gorgeous upright thriller. Lighting Sundiascia prefers moderate to low light levels, but can take full sun in the garden once established. Crop Timing • 4-inch pots – five to seven weeks with one liner and two pinches Watering Maintain moderately moist soil.
• 6-inch pots – seven to nine weeks with one to two liners and three pinches • 10-inch baskets – nine to 11 weeks with four to five liners and no pinch Temperature Maintain temperatures between 70- 75°F during the day and 60°F at night. Feeding Keep pH between 5.6-6.0. Use a con- stant feed of a complete water soluble fertilizer, 200 ppm. Growth Regulators Spray 10-15 ppm Sumagic. Apply as needed. Be very light with plant growth regulators for taller flower spikes. Pests & Diseases Monitor plants for mites and aphids. Watch for Botrytis on finished flowers and foliage.
offers market benefits along with a stunning show of color. Tall stems display 3-inch flower spikes boldly. This new shape also saves growing and ship- ping space and prevents breaks from the center. Plants are more heat tolerant than typical diascia but Sundiascia is not a summer crop. Colors include Upright Orange, Upright Blush Pink and Upright Rose Pink.
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Unique, upright habit ✓ Tall, sturdy flower spikes ✓ More heat tolerant
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Tips for Producing
Princettia Euphorbias P RINCETTIA euphorbias offer opportunities to be presented as a premium gift plant year round. Available in four gorgeous shades of pink plus Max White, Princettia is perfect for pink holidays, including Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. Another prime opportunity is October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Plants are naturally compact with excellent branching, producing many flowers without pinching.
General Culture Princettias are a euphorbia hybrid, so many of the same cultural practices used to produce poinsettias success- fully are the same. However Princet- tia varieties are more compact with smaller bracts than most commercial poinsettia cultivars. Minor adjust- ments to culture should be made accordingly when Princettia varieties are produced with poinsettias. Princettia varieties branch freely. In smaller container sizes, pinching is not a requirement. However, in larger
containers (6 or 6.5”, 15-17 cm,) pinch- ing will produce a fuller plant. Consid- er using Cycocel after the pinch or the Florel® sandwich technique before and after pinch to enhance uniform branching. If Cycocel or Florel are used, monitor height closely after the application. This may be the only time plant growth regulators are needed throughout production. The bracts and leaves of Princettia are also smaller than traditional poinset- tias. Because of the smaller bract size, it is not recommended to grow
Princettia using cold-grow techniques that can be used for some poinset- tias. Grow and finish Princettia warm to produce the highest quality plants. Watering Because Princettia varieties are com- pact, irrigation frequency should be adjusted to reflect the slower growth rate. Monitor root health and avoid overwatering. Lighting Princettia varieties are photoperi- odic. Depending of the time of year
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Production Schedule For Market Windows Stick Cuttings Ready for Retail October May 21 (Week 26) Oct. 8 (Week 40) November July 2 (Week 30) Nov. 19 (Week 46) December July 16 (Week 28) Dec. 3 (Week 48) February Sept. 17 (Week 37) Feb. 4 (Week 5) March Nov. 5 (Week 44) March 18 (Week 11) May Dec. 17 (Week 50) May 6 (Week 18) Recommendations for 6.5-inch pots
plants are produced, photoperiod manipulation with lighting or black cloth will be necessary. Crop Timing • 4-inch pot – one liner, 10 weeks • 6-inch pot – one liner, 20 weeks Temperature Recommended temperatures: • Propagation – Day – 76-82˚F/Night 70-74˚F • Growing On – Day – 80-82˚F/Night 70-72˚F • Finishing from short days – Day 72- 75˚ / Night – 65-68˚F • Temperatures can be adjusted to change the rate of flower develop- ment, however, night temperatures should never go below 62˚F. Feeding Fertility needs are very similar to poinsettias, however, due to the
compact nature of Princet- tia, monitor EC of the media closely to ensure the rate of fertilizer is not too high compared to the growth rate. Ideally, the EC should range from 5.8-6.2 mmhos/ cm. Consider using 250 ppm 15-5-15 cal/mag com- plete with micro nutrients.
• Propagation – B-Nine 1000 ppm / Cycocel 1000 ppm • After transplant – Cycocel 750 – 1250 ppm • Do not apply Cycocel after the sign of first color. Pests & Diseases Insect pests and diseases that im- pact poinsettias also impact Princet- tia. Monitor closely for whiteflies and watch root health throughout pro- duction. As flowers develop monitor for botrytis.
Growth Regulators Princettia varieties are much more compact than most commercial poin- settia cultivars. In most cases, plant growth regulators will not be needed. In larger product forms, additional vegetative growth should be added If height control is needed, Princet- tia responds very well to B-Nine ® / Cycocel ® in propagation and Cycocel alone after transplant. Consider the following rates:
Keys to Success: • Do not over growth regulate. In most cases Princettia can be grown without using PGR’s. • Grow and finish Princettia warm. If temperatures are too cool, the growth rate will be slow and flower devel- opment delayed. • Do not overwater Princettia varieties, which are more compact and will likely require water less frequently than more vigorous poinsettias. • Pay attention to the natural photoperiod and provide artificial manipulation, if necessary, depending on the time of year.
Experience the Suntory Difference!
✓ Gorgeous colors ✓ Naturally compact ✓ Excellent branching
2010 First Prize Innovert Gold Medal at Solon du Vegetal, France 2009 Gold Medal at Green Expo Sydney, Australia 2009 Silver Medal at Floral Gent, Belgium
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Top 3 Angel Earring Varieties 1 Dainty
2 Cascade 3 Snowfire
S untory’s Angel Earrings fuchsias offer heat toler- ance, greater sun tolerance and a much higher flower count, expanding the possi- bilities for planting. The plants are also more compact and more controlled than most fuchsias, increasing produc- tion density and shelf life. The Preciosa, Dainty, Double Red and Mauve have upright habits that are ideal for patio pots, window boxes and as bedding plants. Traditional trailing varieties, Cascading and Snowfire, shine in hang- ing baskets. And the semi- trailing White offers the best of both worlds. Tips for Producing Angel Earrings Fuchsias
General Culture Rooted cuttings should be potted up as soon as possible into 4-inch to 10-inch pots. Use a well-drained peat/perlite mix with a pH of 6.0-6.5. After potting, rooted liners should receive a light watering in. The crop is best kept on the dry side to aid root development. Once roots are established, maintain moderately moist soil. Slow-released fertilizer can be used. The crop should be watered uni- formly throughout its life using a liquid nitrogen fertilizer at 200 ppm, changing to a higher potash feed as buds become clearly visible. After two weeks, plants will grow quickly and start to produce vigorous trailing shoots. These can be pinched to en- able the plant to bush out and make a good breaking habit.
Allan Says: Being a Montreal boy, I love fuchsias but realize they are not heat lov- ers. However, compared with most others we have trialed, I would not hesitate in recom- mending Angel Earrings anywhere. They are still fuchsias, but they are among the best for heat tolerance. – Dr. Allan Armitage
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Helpful Hints from Danny Takao Takao Nursery, Fresno, California
Angel Earrings fuchsias have the ability to keep flowering even in our warmer weather, and in Fresno, we get quite warm. They have a higher flower count and are self-cleaning, making maintenance for gardeners a breeze. They come in a nice array of colors and habits. Angel Earrings look best in 1-gallon pots to larger sizes and hang- ing baskets, depending on the habit you choose – upright, trail- ing or semi-trailing. They are also more compact than traditional fuchsias, which makes them easier to ship. For pots, use the up- rights such as Dainty, Double Red, Mauve and Preciosa. For baskets or combos, use Cascading, Snowfire or White, because they have more of a trailing habit.
Pinching the crop is important to achieve a nice, compact breaking plant. Light and space also are impor- tant to achieve the required habit. If the cutting received a pinch at propa- gation and a further one is needed, it is best to pinch at four nodes. The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is not necessary, but grow- ers have achieved good results with daminozide and paclobutrazol. Various PGRs can be used to control internode elongation, including ancymidol and daminozide. Drenches of paclobutra- zol or uniconazole can be used. DIF (the mathematical difference between day and night temperatures) will also control height. Lighting Fuchsias are generally long-day plants and prefer moderate to low light. Plants are easily brought into flower by night interruption for two weeks. Levels should be moderate to low during production to help reduce stretching. Photoperiod management can induce earlier flowering by hav- ing daylight extension to 13 hours or using a four-hour night interruption before weeks 13/14 to promote flow- ering, especially if your daylength at that time of year is less than 13 hours. Keep temperatures at 65-75˚F during the day and 55-60˚F at night.
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Heat tolerant ✓ Vigorous but more compact ✓ No pruning necessary
Pests & Diseases Insects to monitor for include whiteflies, thrips, aphids, leaf miners, red spider mites, snails and slugs. Key diseases to prevent include Botrytis, Thielaviopsis, Powdery Mildew, Phytophthora and Pythium. Botrytis is more of an issue on finished flowers and foliage. Broad- spectrum fungicides are recommended to prevent and control diseases.
weeks with one liner and one pinch. • 6-inch pots finish in seven to 10 weeks with one liner and two pinches. •10-inch pots finish in 10-12 weeks with three liners and two to three pinches.
Crop Timing • 4-inch pots finish in six to eight
Less pinching is required when plants are grown cool.
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Top 3 Desana Varieties 1 Lime
2 Bronze 3 Maple
C ommonly known as sweet potato vine, ipomoeas have become the most popular trailing accent in mixed containers and baskets. They also fill out beds quickly. Suntory’s Desana line of ipomoeas features a compact habit with short internodes in four dramatic colors – Lime, Maple, Bronze Tips for Producing Desana Ipomoeas
and Compact Red. Desanas make excellent 4-inch and 6-inch finished pots. They also work wonders in combinations by adding color, texture and drama without dominating complementary plantings. Desanas thrive in warm, humid climates. Plants reach a length of up to 7 feet and spread 18 to 42 inches.
General Culture Rooted cuttings should be potted up as soon as possible in 4- to 6-inch pots, using a well-drained peat/perlite mix with pH of 6.0-6.5. Temperatures of the crop at this stage should be 72-80˚F during the day and 60-65˚F at night. This will help roots develop. Do not overwater at this stage. Growth will stop at tempera- tures of 45-48˚F or lower. Light levels should remain medium to high at 4,000-7,000 footcandles. Internodes are likely to stretch under low-light conditions. Water plants uniformly using a com- plete water soluble fertilizer, such as 100-200 ppm nitrogen, 20-10-20 and 15-0-15. A little extra iron is benefi- cial. Aim for an EC of 1.5 to 2.0. Foli- age color may change in response to fertilizer levels. Maintain moderately moist soil.
This crop may require pinching to encourage the right habit and breaks
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Compact habit, short internodes ✓ Plays well withthers ✓ Showy foliage Desana Lime, Maple and Bronze – 2012 Prairie Star Winners , Kansas State University Desana Lime – 2012 Plant of Distinction , University of Georgia Desana Bronze – 2011 Best Ipomoea , Colorado State University
Helpful Hints from T. Jay Higgins Sun-Fire Nurseries, Sarasota, Florida
Desana ipomoeas are a newer product for me and much different than the tropicals I grow. Unlike other vegetative annuals, USDA’s phytos- anitary restrictions require ipomoeas to be propagated in the United States. Unrooted cuttings cannot be imported. Growers can buy root- ed and unrooted cuttings from Sun-Fire Nurseries in Florida. Desana’s best trait is intense foliage color that does not fade, along with a nice variation in leaf shape. Plants are compact and controlled for ipomoea, but not too compact. Desanas work nicely in combination with other plants or as a hanging basket or in window boxes by themselves.
Crop Timing • 4-inch pots – four to five weeks with one liner, no pinches. • 6-inch pots – six to eight weeks with one liner, no pinches. • 10-inch pots – 10 to 12 weeks with three liners, two to three pinches Pests & Diseases Key insect pests to monitor are thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, shore flies and mites. Diseases to prevent are Phytophthora and Pythium. A broad-spectrum fungicide drench is
to get a bushy and spreading plant. Generally, a 4-inch pot will finish in four weeks. Pinching encourages branching. Plant Growth Regulators Uniconazole (Sumagic) sprays are effective at 10-25 ppm. Florel sprays can be used at 500-1,000 ppm. B-Nine is effective at 2,500 ppm as needed. Finally, a drench of pa- clobutrazol (Bonzi) can be used at 8 ppm on plugs prior to transplanting.
recommended after planting. Edema is a common disorder in all stages of the crop. Prevention rather than cure is the best option. To prevent edema, always allow the substrate to dry between irrigations and provide good air movement. Edema is the bursting of cells, resulting in corky lesions on the foliage, accentuated by low light or high humidity. Symptoms are usu- ally on the underside of foliage, but in some cases it can be seen on the upper surface.
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S UNBELIA LOBELIAS are grower friendly, early and uniform across the series. In addition to being able to be grown at cool temperatures to save energy, no plant growth regulators are required. Plants are naturally com- pact, very floriferous and hold their mounded shape. In- tense branching creates dense plants that are covered with flowers. Sunbelia was bred for heat tolerance and offers good summer performance, a trend in lobelia breeding. Sunbelia is available in three light colors – Compact Sky Blue, Compact Pink and Compact White. Sunbelia lobelias Tips for Producing
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Most compact lobelia from cuttings ✓ High-density branching ✓ Good summer performance
General Culture Rooted cuttings should be potted up as soon as possible into 4- to 6-inch pots. Plant them in a well-drained peat/perlite mix. Growers should keep in mind Sunbelia’s growth habit is much more compact and controlled than other lobelias. It is upright with dense, heavy flowering. Sunbelia is not trailing and not rec- ommended for hanging baskets.
Crop Timing • 4-inch pots - four to six weeks with one liner, one pinch. • 6-inch pots - five
to seven weeks with one liner, one pinch.
Growth Regulators No plant growth regulator is needed. Sunbelia varieties are naturally compact.
Temperature Maintain day temperatures between 65-75°F and night temperatures between 55-60°F. Feeding Keep pH between 6.0-6.5. Use a constant feed of a complete water soluble fertilizer, 100-200 ppm.
Watering Maintain moderately moist soil.
Pests & Diseases Monitor for Sunbelia for whiteflies, aphids and mites. A broad-spectrum fungicidal drench is recommended after planting.
Lighting Sunbelia prefers high to moder- ate light levels, between 5,000 and 8,000 footcandles.
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Tips for Producing Lofos Lophospermums
O riginating from the Mexican mountains, lophsopermum is a genus of eight species and is deciduous and evergreen – perennial climbers and shrubs from the slopes of North and Central America. Foliage is generally triangular and plants produce tubular to funnel-shaped flowers in shades of white and purple. Lofos is grown as an annual and is well suited to planting spectacular hanging baskets and window boxes or guided up trellises. This marvelous vine blooms early, continuing through most of the year until frost. Lofos is now available in two forms with the new Lofos Compact series. While the classic Wine Red and White trail to 7 feet, the new Compact White and Compact Rose have more flowers and reach a length of 2
feet. Lofos Compact is easier to manage and ship. Both forms make stunning presentations. Growers can produce Lofos in hanging baskets and pots ranging in size from 1 gallon to 5 gallons and command a premium for this unique, elegant item.
General Culture Rooted cuttings should be potted up as soon as pos- sible into 4- to 6-inch pots. Use a well-drained peat/ perlite mix and maintain soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. After potting the liners, give plants a light watering. The crop is best kept on the dry side to aid root development. Keep plants slightly dry but avoid wilting. Temperatures for the crop at this stage should be 60-65˚F for the first two weeks. This temperature range will help roots develop. After two weeks, the crop will grow quickly and
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Helpful Hints from Aaron McDonald
Experience the Suntory Difference!
✓ Unique flowering vine ✓ Available in two forms ✓ Self-cleaning
start to produce vigorous trailing shoots. These can be pinched to enable the plant to bush out and develop a good breaking habit. Pinching the leading shoots helps control the growth. Lofos is responsive to Florel, too. Keep light levels high to reduce stretching. The crop should be watered uniformly using a balanced liquid fertilizer, transitioning to a higher potash feed as buds become clearly visible. Crop Timing • 6-inch pots – six weeks with one liner • 1-gallon pots – eight to nine weeks with one liner and two pinches • 10-inch pots/baskets – 10-12 weeks with three liners and two or three pinches Pests & Diseases Monitor for aphids, fungus gnats, whiteflies, leaf miners, red spider mites, shore flies, slugs, snails and western flower thrips. Diseases to prevent include Botrytis, Powdery Mildew, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora and Pythium. A broad-spectrum fungicide drench is recommended after planting. will not want to pinch, as the flower buds are on the vine. If they get a little long, just wrap them in on themselves. Once Lofos is in flower, it will have blooms from the top all the way to the end of the vines. Plant growth regulators are not needed on Lofos. Botany Lane Greenhouse Lafayette, Colorado Lofos is one of my favorite plants. It’s unique and different from anything else on the market. Now with two colors in each the Lofos and Lofos Compact series, you can plant multi-color pots where the plants truly blend together. Suntory has done a great job matching the habit and color of the plants so they look the same. Lofos is ideal for hanging baskets as a mono or a component plant. It can also be trained onto a trellis for a differ- ent look in the garden. One pinch after the initial planting will help to develop breaks in the plants. But once plants are trailing, you
Lofos Wine Red and White 2012 Best of Species , Penn State University
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Tips for Producing Sun Parasol Mandevillas
S UN PARASOL is the brand for Suntory’s collection of mandevilla hybrids. The genus mandevilla has many subgroups, including sanderi, boliviensis and amoena, which are all known for their climbing or trailing properties. Until recently, sanderi was the leading variety in North America. However, the market for mandevilla has changed dramatically with the arrival of Sun Parasol. The popular Crimson varieties are the first that stay true to color. ‘Sun Parasol Garden Crimson’ is capturing a lot of attention as the first bedding plant mandevilla.
Sun Parasol mandevillas are classified into four groups: • The Originals come in Crimson, Pink,
Cream Pink, Dark Red and White with bushy, compact growth and medium-sized flowers. Exciting novelties – Stars & Stripes and Bur- gundy – are available in limited supply. Plants have good branching, neat foliage and are natu- ral climbers suitable for pots, hanging baskets, balconies or as bedding plants and house plants. • The Giants are available in White, Pink, Crimson and Carmine King. The new Red Emperor is the best giant red mandevilla yet, with superior disease resistance and the ability to produce even more large flowers. They have a vigorous growing habit, coarse foliage and are natural climbers suitable for patios, balconies and as house plants in sunny areas. They are the clas- sic mandevilla. • The Pretty group , which comes in Pink, Crimson and new colors, Deep Pink and Deep Red, offers superior branching and vigorous growth. It can be grown in 4- and 6-inch pots. Flower size is the same as the Original group but foliage is glossy, thinner and more vining. Plants are natural climbers suitable for hanging baskets, patios and balconies. • The Garden group begins with Garden Crim-
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Suntory Spring Production Guide
Experience the Suntory Difference! ✓ Revolutionary genetics ✓ Widest range of colors and forms ✓ Superb disease resistance Crimson, Giant Crimson, Giant White and Giant Pink – 2012 Prairie Star Winners , Kansas State University Giant Crimson and Giant White – 2012 Best Vines , Dallas Arboretum Pretty Deep Red – 2013 Favorite New Flowering Plant , TPIE
son. These plants are uniquely posi- tioned for quart pots and will finish in 14 weeks. Plant in masses in beds, containers and baskets. No trellises are needed for support. General Culture Mandevillas are long-day plants. Buds are initiated with 10-11 hour days for the Pretty type and the Originals. The Giant group will flower with 12-hour days. Varieties in each group vary depending on the color. Ideal growing temperature is 65-75˚F the first two to three weeks after potting. Keep plants on the dry side to encourage roots to grow out of the plug quickly. Temperature can then be lowered to 65-70˚F. Lower temperatures can be used, but plants will take longer. Initial potting should take place in a 4-to 5-inch pot. Growing media should have a pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Depending on the time of year, three to four weeks after pot- ting, the leading
shoot will begin to grow quickly. The plant will then require a pinch to encourage a bushy habit. Two types of pinches can be carried out: Method 1 – This type of pinch is a soft pinch, where you will leave at least four pairs of leaves and get fewer breaks and take these up for training. Pinching is done higher. Method 2 – This method is for short, compact
plants. Regular pinching is required once the desired height has been achieved. This will encourage a bushy and dense plant for a nice finish and earlier sale. Watering Watering is critical and a dry regime is more suited than a wet one, where plants can become prone to root diseases. Too dry and there will be a problem with nutrient uptake. It is best to water lightly and often. The best way to control growth is with
water retention, especially with the white-colored varieties. Pests & Diseases Monitor for whiteflies, western flower thrips, aphids, red spider mites, fungus gnats, shore flies and mealy bugs. Diseases to prevent are Botrytis, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Cylindrocarpen (root rot), Cercospora (leaf spot) and Colletroti- chum (leaf spot).
Helpful Hints from T. Jay Higgins Sun-Fire Nurseries, Sarasota, Florida
Sun Parasol offers the most variety of colors and types in mandevillas and the only true reds on the market. The Pretty varieties are the most unique because
they combine dipladenia characteristics (smaller leaf and flower) with a mandevilla growth habit (aggressive climber). Sun Parasols have more disease and pest resistance than the traditional ‘Alice Dupont’ mandevilla, along with a variety of colors and types to choose from. The amount of blooms Sun Parasol produces gives a “wow” factor. Sun Parasol can be used in various pot sizes, baskets and as a combination. The Originals have a bush habit and are ideal for 1-3 gallon bushes and any size hanging basket. The Giants are the true mandevilla and ideal to be grown on a trellis or used in hanging baskets. The Pretties are the most unique and ideal for a trellis or hanging basket. They have smaller flowers, but more flowers, and are very aggressive climbers. The biggest tip with mandevilla is choosing the right soil mix and location. They like a well- draining soil mix. They love the sun but don’t like to be wet. For the consumer: make sure you plant in a sunny location and not in a low spot or place where a gutter may drain. They can be kept in pots on the patio or planted into the ground.
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