Painted Love Petunia Culture Guide

Plant growth regulators (PGRs): Petunia Painted Love ™ has good vigor and generally will need chemical growth regulation in propagation. To control growth after rooting, sprays of B-Nine ® WSG (2,500-3,500 ppm) are usually sufficient. A tank-mix spray of Florel ® (350 ppm) + B-Nine ® WSG (2,500 ppm) can also be used to control growth and improve branching. Do not spray Florel ® on stressed or weak cuttings. For all sprays listed above, the mist should be off for a minimum of one hour for the PGR to absorb into the leaf tissue.

Tech tip: Keep media pH in the mid 5’s to avoid iron deficiency and tip chlorosis. Temperatures can be lowered three weeks after planting and especially towards the end of production to tone or hold the plant. High DLIs and cool finishing temperatures produce high-quality petunias. Moisture level: Media should be allowed to dry between irrigations. Alternate between moisture level 2 and 4. 2 - MEDIUM: Soil is light brown in color, no water can be extracted from soil, and soil will crumble apart. 4 - WET: Soil is dark brown but not shiny, no free water is seen at the surface of the soil, when pressed or squeezed water drips easily, and trays are heavy with a visible bend in the middle. Common pests: Aphids, thrips, budworms, leafminers, white flies Common diseases: Botrytis , powdery mildew, Viruses (TMV, TSWV)

Finishing

Temperature Day: 70–72 °F (21–22 °C) Night: 62–64 °F (17–18 °C) Average daily temperature: 67 °F (19.5 °C) Lighting Day extension lighting: Beneficial to 14 hours Light intensity: 800–1,200 µmol·m -2 ·s -1 Day length response: Facultative long day Daily light integral (DLI): 16–18 mol·m -2 ·d -1

Scheduling

SIZE

CROP TIME PLANTS PER POT

1.0 quart (4.5 to 5 inch)

5–6 weeks

1 ppp

1.25 to 2.5 quart (5.5 to 6.5 inch, trade gallon) 3.0 quart to 2.0 gallon (7.5 to 10 inch) 1.5 gallon hanging basket (10 inch basket) 2.0 gallon hanging basket (12 inch basket) 3.0 gallon hanging basket (14 inch basket)

7–9 weeks

1 ppp

Transplanting: Transplant directly into the finished container. Place the rooting media slightly below the level of media in the container. Make sure that the root ball is covered and that the liner is situated in the center of the pot. Media pH: 5.5–5.9 Media EC: SME EC: 2.3–2.8 mS/cm, PourThru EC: 3.5–4.2 mS/cm Fertilizer: 200–250 ppm N Pinching: Yes, 1 pinch is recommended 7-10 days after transplant. A second pinch can be given to plants grown in large baskets and containers. This second pinch can occur shortly before a final Bonzi ® drench. Use proper sanitation when pinching or shearing petunia. Petunia and other solanaceous crops are highly susceptible to the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), which can be easily transmitted by mechanical means. Plant growth regulators (PGRs): Petunia Painted Love ™ has good vigor and generally will need chemical growth regulation. Sprays of B-Nine ® WSG (2,500–5,000 ppm) or Sumagic ® (20–30 ppm) can be used to control growth. A tank-mix spray of Florel ® (350–500 ppm) + B-Nine ® WSG (2,500 ppm) can also be used to control growth and improve branching early in production. A Bonzi ® drench (2–4 ppm) can be given 3–4 weeks before finishing and results in toned, high quality plants.

8–9 weeks

2–3 ppp

9–10 weeks 3 ppp

9–10 weeks 4 ppp

9–10 weeks 5 ppp

Estimated finish crop time is from transplant of a 105-cell tray and finished at the recommended average daily temperature of 67 °F (19.5 °C). Example crop schedule for a 1.5 gallon hanging basket

WEEKS FROM TRANSPLANT

DESCRIPTION

Provide an average daily temperatures of 68 °F (20 °C) and DLI levels above 15 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . Pinch plants when they are rooted into the pot. Apply a tank-mix spray of Florel ® (350 ppm) + B-Nine ® WSG (2,500 ppm) or Bonzi ® drench (1–2 ppm) to control growth and improve branching. Evaluate plants and apply a Bonzi ® drench at 3 ppm to maintain a compact, controlled growth. Drop temperature if needed to help control growth.

1 week

2 weeks

5 weeks

Try Chrysal Alesco ® , a postharvest foliar spray, to protect ethylene sensitive crops during shipping and retail.

9 weeks

Finish

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