SEED PROPAGATION
Cosmos APOLLO ™ OP Cosmos bipinnatus REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME
SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Raw
4–5 weeks
1
Yes
3–4 days
61–65 °F (16–18 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.5–5.9
SME 0.25–0.5 mS/cm
Comments: Cosmos will flower early under short days, so to allow bulking of the plug provide a 14-hour day length during propagating.
Cuphea SRIRACHA ™ F1 Cuphea llavea REC TRAY FORMS
PLUG TIME
SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Raw
3.5–4 weeks
1
Yes
3–5 days
70–75 °F (21–24 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.8–6.2
SME 0.5–0.75 mS/cm Comments: Only the first application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is necessary for the plug. After two weeks, you can alternate moisture levels between 2 and 4 to help tone the plugs. Provide supplemental lighting if possible if DLI is less than 8 mols/day.
Dahlia FRESCO ™ / HARLEQUIN ™ OP Dahlia hybrida REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME
SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Raw, Coated
3–4 weeks
1
Yes
5 days
70 °F (21 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.5–5.9
SME 0.5–0.75 mS/cm
Comments: Provide day extension lighting to 12–14 hours/day to help prevent premature flower bud set.
Dianthus DIABUNDA ® F1 Dianthus × barbatus REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME
SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Pelleted
5–6 weeks
1
Yes
5 days
72–74 °F (22–23 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.5–5.9
SME 0.9–1.3 mS/cm Comments: Providing high light and dropping the temperature to an average daily temperature (ADT) of 60 °F (21 °C) will reduce the need for plant growth regulators (PGRs). Day extension lighting to 14 hours will hasten flowering of the finished plant.
Dianthus SUPER PARFAIT ™ / VENTI PARFAIT ™ F1 Dianthus chinensis REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME
SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Raw, Pelleted
5–6 weeks
1
Yes
5 days
72–74 °F (22–23 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.5–5.9
SME 0.9–1.3 mS/cm Comments: Providing high light and dropping the temperature to an average daily temperature (ADT) of 60 °F (21 °C) will reduce the need for plant growth regulators (PGRs). Day extension lighting to 14 hours will hasten flowering of the finished plant.
Gazania BIG KISS ™ / FROSTY KISS ™ / GAZOO ™ / KISS ™ F1 Gazania rigens REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Raw
5–6 weeks
1
Yes
4–6 days
70–75 °F (21–24 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.5–5.9
SME 0.5–0.75 mS/cm
Comments: Growing Gazania plugs on the dry side and keeping them moderately cool will help prevent leaf stretch.
Geranium BULLSEYE ™ / MAVERICK ™ / MULTIBLOOM ™ / PINTO ™ PREMIUM / QUANTUM ™ / RINGO 2000 ™ F1 Pelargonium × hortorum REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME SOIL TEMP GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Coated
4–5 weeks
1
Yes
1–3 days
73 °F (23 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 6.1–6.5
SME 0.9–1.3 mS/cm Comments: Geraniums are irradiance plants so the more light they receive the faster they will flower. Under short days or cloudy conditions, it is beneficial to provide supplemental lighting of around 400 foot candles (4,000 lux) especially in the plug tray to speed up flowering. All geraniums are especially sensitive to bacterial diseases so be sure to start with clean plug trays, media and propagation areas. Geranium seeds do not carry bacterial diseases so if you start clean you can stay clean. Do not subirrigate or use recycled water. Media pH should not drop below 6.0 or the plants may suffer from iron and/or manganese toxicity.
Geranium Ivy REACH OUT ™ / TORNADO ™ F1 Pelargonium peltatum REC TRAY FORMS PLUG TIME
SEEDS/CELL SEED COVER GERM TIME
SOIL TEMP
GERM LIGHT
MEDIA pH/EC
288-cell tray
Coated
5–6 weeks
1
Yes
4 days
73 °F (23 °C)
Not required for germination pH: 5.8–6.2
SME 0.9–1.3 mS/cm Comments: Geraniums are irradiance plants so the more light they receive the faster they will flower. Under short days or cloudy conditions, it is beneficial to provide supplemental lighting of around 400 foot candles (4,000 lux) especially in the plug tray to speed up flowering. All geraniums are especially sensitive to bacterial diseases so be sure to start with clean plug trays, media and propagation areas. Geranium seeds do not carry bacterial diseases so if you start clean you can stay clean. Do not subirrigate or use recycled water. Media pH should not drop below 6.0 or the plants may suffer from iron and/or manganese toxicity.
GROWER SUCCESS GUIDE 2023-2024 | ANNUALS
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