This is the powerpoint presentation that went along with the webinar presented on July 10th, 2023. The event was hosted by Chris Beytes of GrowerTalks. Presenters included Bart Noordhuis, Hellebore breeder, AprilHerring-Murray, PP&L Marketing Director and Steve Lendvay, PP&L Sales Director.
GROWING FROSTKISS HELLEBORE Tips and Techniques for a Stunning Hellebore Crop
MEET HELLEBORE FROSTKISS®
Frostkiss® CHERYL’S SHINE®
Frostkiss® GLENDA’S GLOSS®
Frostkiss® CHARMER
Frostkiss® ANNA’S RED
Frostkiss® BAYLI’S BLUSH®
Frostkiss® DANA’S DULCET®
Frostkiss® DOROTHY’S DAWN®
NEW 2024
Frostkiss® PIPPA’S PURPLE®
Frostkiss® VIBEY VELVET
Frostkiss® ELEMENTAL
Frostkiss® ILLUMI LIME™
Frostkiss® MOONDANCE®
Frostkiss® PENNY’S PINK
Frostkiss® MOLLY’S WHITE
WHY Frostkiss?
1. Later and Longer to Bloom 2. Heat Tolerant 3. Guaranteed Uniformity 4. Two Sizes and Two Planting Seasons 5. Technical Support
Frostkiss Has Fabulous FOLIAGE!
ORDERING LINERS
PP&L generally has strong Hellebore liner availability can I wait till after spring to order, once I know what I need? Question:
PP&L PROCESS
I don’t have space to plant my Hellebore crop as early as suggested, can I first pot the 72 cell into a smaller pot and then later into the final pot? Question:
PLANNING YOUR BEST HELLEBORE CROP
Planting Windows/Finishing Times
LINER SIZE
PLANTING SEASON
CROP TIME (2.5 QT-1 GALLON)
Deep 72 cell
Spring-Weeks 2-15 (Chance of frost has passed) Fall-Weeks 32-40 (Temps have started to cool)
40-52 Weeks
Deep 32 Cell (Fast-Track™)
18-26 Weeks
**We only recommend 2.5 qt -1 gallon container. If a larger container is used it might not fill completely in the crop times above.
Spring Plant
Fall Plant
LINER SIZES OFFERED
72 Cell Spring Planted
32 Cell Fall Planted
My pH is 6.0, this is not that far off from the suggested 5.5, is pH 6.0 good enough? Question:
pH Explained
• The pH scale is Logarithmic • Each change of step in pH is actually much bigger than it might seem.
Media • The building block of your Hellebore crop • Peat-based soil with decomposed bark • Well-drained • Nice air pockets that maintain throughout growing cycle • pH of 5.5
Planting • Fill pots to the top with soil • This prevents roots from heating up • Plant liners a little deeper than the soil surface. • This will promote more flower bud development.
Do I really need a soil analysis, or can I go by overall crop appearance along with EC and pH measurements? Question:
Measuring for Success
• Measure EC (1.2-1.5) and pH (5.4-5.5) regularly • Direct in soil (AM Meter) • Pour through method • Send soil to lab for a full analysis • Monthly to start
GROWING YOUR BEST HELLEBORE CROP
Growing Temperatures
• Summer: Once temps above 80°F, time to shade • Fall: 40-50°F to trigger flower development • Winter: 32-40°F, frost free to flower by natural timing • Holding Temperature for delayed bloom: 32-34°F
Spacing • Keep pot-tight in a triangular pattern. Fully spaced at planting Pot tight, not triangular pattern
• Crop can be spaced just a bit once flowers form, but keep close enough that the leaves touch and still shade the pots. • Usually no earlier than November. ✔ ✔ Pot tight, triangular pattern Spaced at bloom time, leaves touching
X X
• Keep as much sun off the root zone as possible
• Keep pot-tight in a triangular pattern. Keep as much sun off the root zone as possible. • Crop can be spaced just a bit once flowers form. Usually, no earlier than November.
Cool roots = healthy roots Plant of the left was grown with pots shaded, Plant on the right was grown with pots exposed
Hellebores are shade plants, should I shade my crop year-round? Question:
Exposure
• Provide protection from sun for root zone (Spacing). • Summer months, use 30-35% shade. • Use white poly in winter if using a poly tunnel to prevent sunburn.
My Hellebore crop is getting hot in the day, should I give them a little overhead water to cool them off? Question:
Irrigation • Drip irrigation is best. • Overhead irrigation is also possible. • Do not water during the hottest part of the day, this shocks the plant.
Why should I fertilize my Hellebore in the fall if most plants are slowing down at that time? Question:
Fertilization • Important to keep Hellebore active year-round, never stop fertilizing • Hellebore need a steady EC of 1.2-1.5 measured directly in the soil, • EC of 1.0 with pour-through method • Maintain a 1:3 ratio of P:K in the soil for best flower development • Start with slow release in spring, 8-9 month (when spring planting) • Liquid feed in fall with buds are initiating to provide extra Nitrogen and Iron. • Use an acidic fertilizer to pH down, 27-15-12 or 20-20-20
My Hellebore crop has damaged foliage on it, can I cut back the crop to encourage new leaf growth? Question:
Pinching
DO NOT PINCH!
X
The leaves are the lungs of the plant.
I’d like to keep my Hellebore crop more compact, what PGR is suggested to help with this? Question:
Plant Growth Regulator
• PGRs are not needed for Frostkiss Hellebore nor are they suggested • Flowers will be smaller • Less flowers • If height control is needed, please rely on natural methods ONLY • Higher light levels (from 55% to 30% as an example) • Better air flow • Space crop when flowers form
Insects and Diseases
• Aphids • Snails • Seen when growing environment is overly wet • Botrytis • Seen in flowers when air flow is low and moisture is high
DELAY AND/OR HOLD BLOOM
Blooms Later in Store • Chose later blooming varieties • Dana’s Dulcet • Dorothy’s Dawn
• Vibey Velvet • More coming • Delay bloom naturally with temperature. • Hold longer in cold temps • Delay blooms with use of cooler • Please TEST first before committing to a large crop!!
Cooler Recommendations • Place in cooler once buds have formed, before they open • Usually early to mid-December. • Clean and sanitize cooler.
• Place Hellebore on racks with plenty of air space • Water in and give a good feed (2.5 EC of 14-4-14) • Treat with broad spectrum fungicide
• Temperatures between 32-34F. • Watch for disease pressure.
• if kept very cold, little pressure seen • Will develop and grow even with no lights. • Watch for stretch, if temps are too warm, product will stretch and become unsellable.
SUMMARY: HOW TO MAXIMIZE BLOOM COUNT
1. Maintain pH at 5.4 to 5.5 2. Maintain a ratio of 1:3 P:K in the soil 3. Maintain EC of 1.2 to 1.5 in the soil 4. Plant 72 cell early, February-March, no later 5. Plant 32 cell early September and no later 6. Keep root zone cool at all times
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
WHATSAPP TECHNICAL ADVICE
Bart Noordhuis Breeder
HELLEBORE FROSTKISS BROCHURE
HELLEBORE FROSTKISS TECH GUIDE
HELLO HELLEBORE BRANDED WEBSITE
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT US
April Herring-Murray PP&L Marketing Director aprilh@ppandl.net
Steve Lendvay PP&L Sales Director stevel@ppandl.net
Bart Noordhuis Breeder bart@exceptio.nl
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