TECHNICAL GROWING INFORMATION
Use a well-drained soil made with mostly white peat, Canadian or Baltic, and not more than 20% quality black peat. Black peat will shrink throughout the growing cycle causing poor drainage. Contrary to many crops, Hellebores need a lower soil pH at 5.5.
MEDIA
Hellebores need to be grown cool in the winter for proper flower development.A temperature range of 32-45ºF is suggested.
VERNALIZATION
Whether crops are spring or fall planted, it is advisable to pot as early as possible in the season to get the growth needed to fill the pot.This is particularly true in the spring as Hellebore only actively grow when the temperatures are cooler so a delay in planting can stunt the overall finish size of the crop and decrease the flower bud count. For growers not wanting such a long crop time or for growers wanting to avoid over-summering a Hellebore, fall planting is highly recommended as it can cut the crop time in half.The chart below gives recommended planting dates and corresponding crop times.
LINER SIZE
PLANTING DATES
CROP TIME 2.5 QT-1 GALLON
PLANTING
72 Cell
Weeks 5-15 (Once chance of frost has passed) 40-52 weeks
32 Cell
Weeks 35-40 (Once temps start to cool)
18-26 weeks
It is important to fill pots to the top with soil, this will help prevent warm roots. Leaving a gap between the top of the pot and the soil level will cause pots to heat up more than if pot full, potentially burning the Hellebore roots.When planting liners, plant a little deeper than the surface of the soil.This will help to increase flower bud development.
Frostkiss ® varieties are bred with efficiency in mind, so most of the crop life they can be kept can tight. Our varieties do not have a heavy rosette habit, but grow upright; therefore, they need less space and will not stretch when grown can tight. Hellebores enjoy cool roots so keeping plants close together causes the foliage to shade the pot and prevent root burn. Cool roots mean the plants can grow much bigger and create more flowers by time of sale. Once plants start to flower in the spring they can be spaced (12 gallon pots per m²) to give flowers room to develop.
SPACING
Hellebores should never be pinched. Every leaf on a Hellebore helps to form flower buds so removing leaves will decrease flower count and overall finished quality. If there are damaged leaves, they can be removed at time of shipping.
PINCHING
HEIGHT CONTROL
PGRs are not required and are not recommended.
Hellebores are tough plants and rarely get diseases.The main disease issue seen is Botrytis in the flowers. Prevent this by keeping plants dry and in an area with good air flow.
DISEASE
INSECT
Watch for aphids and spider mites.
It is important to remember that Frostkiss ® Hellebore can flower up to 2.5 months. For this reason, crops do not need to be shipped to garden centers all at once.At the garden center, keep plants in a shaded location away from direct sun and in cool temperatures to prevent flower fade and water as needed.
POST PRODUCTION/ GARDEN CENTER CARE
2023 Hellebore Program / Pacific Plug & Liner
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