Tips for Producing Picture-Perfect Poinsettias CULTURE – PROPAGATION GUIDE
Stage 1: Callus (First 7 Days) • Apply rooting hormone to base of cuttings. Low rates of hormone can be applied overtop after sticking the cuttings. Rates must be very low for this strategy to avoid phytotoxicity. • Stick and mist cuttings ASAP to avoid wilt. Keep humidity and mist levels high, including some at night, from Day 1 through Day 4. • Use lower light with shading and keep air temperature below 90°F (32°C). Callus will form 5 to 7 days after sticking. • Broad spectrum fungicide can be applied a few days after sticking to reduce disease pressure. • Soil temperatures of 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C) are best for callus formation.
Stage 3: Finished Propagation (Days 15 to 28) • Continue feeding every other irrigation with
150 ppm N in a balanced soluble fertilizer. • Continue to spray with a broad-spectrum fungicide every 7 to 10 days.
Unrooted Cuttings 1. Open boxes upon arrival and check the temperature inside the box. 2. Unpack cuttings in a cooler at 50°F (10°C) and monitor temperatures throughout the unpacking, storing and sticking process. If temperature is greater than 70°F (21°C), allow cuttings to cool before sticking. Keep cuttings moist and turgid while handling. 3. Stick cuttings in media-filled liner trays, preferably using a stabilized media such as Ellepot or Oasis. Note: It’s preferable to stick unrooted cuttings right away. If you must store cuttings, keep them cool at 50°F (10°C) for no more than 24 hours. After sticking, keep propagation environment shaded and cool for the first 2 days to limit stress.
• If plants are growing too quickly, apply PGRs around Day 16 and again at Day 22. We recommend Cycocel 750 ppm spray. For more control on fast-growing varieties, increase the Cycocel rate to 1,000 ppm and/or decrease the time between applications
to 4 days. If you don’t get enough control with Cycocel alone, try a tank mix of B-Nine 1,000 ppm/Cycocel 500 ppm.
• In the last week of propagation, raise light levels and reduce temperatures to harden the liners for planting. • Cuttings are ready to plant by Days 23 to 28.
PRO TIP Watch for fungus gnats and treat preventatively.
Infrared thermometers help you keep a close eye on temperatures.
A nice white callus 8 days after sticking
Stage 2: Root Out (Days 8 to 14) • Reduce mist to force root growth. • Spray with a broad-spectrum fungicide or bactericide in evenings, allowing chemical to adhere to plant. • Avoid saturated media to speed root initiation. Reduce soil moisture to build root system. • Fertilize with 150 ppm N of balanced fertilizer that contains Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg). • Visible roots will appear by Day 10. Eliminate mist by Day 14.
Days 23 to 28: All grown out and ready to plant
(Left) cool unrooted cuttings; (Right) allowed to warm
PRO TIP Avoid foliar fertilizers with phosphorus.
Note: Growers should use the information presented in this guide as a starting point. Crop times will vary depending on the climate, location, time of year and greenhouse environmental conditions. Chemical and PGR recommendations are only guidelines. It is the responsibility of the applicator to read and follow all the current label directions for the specific chemical being used in accordance with all regulations. PRO TIP A single application of a low-dose CapSil within 24 hours can maximize efficiency of misting and reduce stress on cuttings. High doses or repeated applications will cause distortion of new growth. Use CapSil at a rate of 1 to 2 oz./100 gal. to break the surface tension of water on the leaf.
POINSETTIA ROOTING HORMONE RECOMMENDATIONS
PRODUCT
RECOMMENDED RATE APPLICATION METHOD APPLICATION TIPS
Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts
Basal stem dip or spray just prior to sticking cuttings
Mix solution to desired ppm and dip only bottom 1 in. (2.5 cm) of the stem. Be careful not to let solution touch leaves, upper stem or growing point.
500-1,000 ppm IBA
Spray to runoff so that solution drips down stem toward the base of the cutting. Will likely cause some leaf distortion or curling, but plants normally grow out of it. Higher rates = more leaf curl. Trial first.
Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts
Course spray applied after sticking cuttings
75-150 ppm IBA
Basal stem dip or spray just prior to sticking cuttings
Mix solution to desired ppm and dip only bottom 1 in. (2.5 cm) of the stem. Be careful not to let solution touch leaves, upper stem or growing point.
Rhizopon AA #1
1,000 ppm IBA
NEW Christmas Canvas
1,000 ppm IBA + 500 ppm NAA
Basal stem dip or spray just prior to sticking cuttings
Mix solution to desired ppm and dip only bottom 1 in. (2.5 cm) of the stem. Be careful not to let solution touch leaves, upper stem or growing point.
Dip 'N Grow
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