CULTURE – FINISHING GUIDE
Florel Application Prior and Post-Pinch • Applications of Florel at rates from 200 to 400 ppm 5 days prior and 5 days after pinch help ensure good branching in varieties and conditions where branching can be inhibited. • This can cause a “PGR effect” that will continue through the crop cycle. It is not necessary on many new, very free-branching varieties. Early PGR Application • To reduce internode length, encourage even branching and produce a plant better suited for pinching, apply Cycocel 750 to 1,200 ppm spray or B-Nine 1,000 ppm/Cycocel 750 ppm tank mix spray prior to pinch. • Start applications in propagation and continue after transplant, as needed. • Apply after pinching, when new shoots measure at least 0.75 in. (2 cm), and repeat. This will even out the branches and reduce apical dominance.
PRO TIP For larger finished plant height, transplant earlier, providing a longer crop time from pinch to initiation. Spacing and Target Height Control • Crop specifications usually include height, width and bract count. A 6-in. (15-cm) poinsettia is typically spaced 13 to 14 in. (33 to 36 cm) on center, with a finished height of 14 to 16 in. (36 to 41 cm) and a primary bract count of 5 to 6. • Establish final spacing before leaf canopy closes. • Apply shade right after spacing for a few days to avoid stress. • Track height progress through crop cycle to ensure you’re meeting your specifications and apply PGRs as needed.
Scheduling Your Poinsettia Crop Steps to determine when to order your cuttings.
• Keeping the ADT at 68 to 73°F (20 to 23°C) is a good target. • Providing the correct temperature is especially important after initiation, and high temperatures remain a challenge for poinsettia growth.
• Phase 1: Allow 2 weeks from transplant to pinch. • Phase 2: See the chart below to determine your weeks from pinch to flower initiation. (We’ve based our timelines on a medium-vigor variety. Varieties with higher or lower vigor may move the pinch dates ahead or behind by 1 week.) • Phase 3: Refer to the charts on pages 34 to 39 to find your weeks from flower initiation to retail-ready crop. • Then, based on your retail-ready date, count backward to determine the week to order your cuttings.
NORTH
CENTRAL
Keep ADT at 68 to 73°F (20 to 23°C)
SOUTH
Growing On PGRs • Use only PGR sprays – no drenches – until shoots are 2 in. (5 cm) in length. • Use Cycocel 750 to 1,200 ppm spray or B-Nine 1,000 ppm/Cycocel 750 ppm tank mix spray early in the crop cycle to reduce stress and even out the branching. • Avoid PGR applications within 1 week of initiation. • Stop PGR applications by October 10 (natural season crop), except for micro-drenches of Bonzi. • Use only very low rates (1/10 to 1/20 ppm) during the bract expansion period in October and early November (natural season crop). • Use late applications of Bonzi drench at 0.5 ppm to improve shelf life. This is best done at full bract coloration, just before pollen shed. • Do not apply prior to full color.
Improved habit with proper PGR use
Flower Induction • Most varieties will begin to induce flowers between September 10 and 25. • Light pollution can delay flowering. Blackout and long-day lighting can be used to manipulate maturity dates. • Excessive heat also can delay flowering. Avoid warm nights above 72°F (22°C) from 1 week prior to initiation through October 10. Temperatures • Ideally, keep day temperatures between 75 and 86°F (24 and 30°C) and night temperatures between 61 and 72°F (16 and 22°C) for optimal plant development. • Leaves will unfold at the highest rate around 75°F (24°C) average daily temperature (ADT). • At around 80°F (27°C) ADT, development will slow.
Time for late applications of Bonzi drench
A 6-in. (15-cm) poinsettia is typically spaced 13 to 14 in. (33 to 36 cm) on center
AVERAGE WEEKS FROM PINCH TO FLOWER INITIATION
CULTURE THAT WORKS
WEEKS
NORTH
CENTRAL
SOUTH
0 WEEKS
2" or Mini (1 plant/pot)
2" or Mini (1 plant/pot)
2" or Mini (1 plant/pot)
1 WEEK
4" pot (1 plant/pot)
2 WEEKS
4" pot (1 plant/pot)
6" pot (1 plant/pot)
3 WEEKS
4" pot (1 plant/pot)
6" pot (1 plant/pot)
6.5–7" pot (1–2 plants/pot)
4 WEEKS
6" pot (1 plant/pot)
6.5–7" pot (1–2 plants/pot)
8–8.5" pot (3 plants/pot)
5 WEEKS
6.5–7" pot (1–2 plants/pot)
8–8.5" pot (3 plants/pot)
10" pot (3–5 plants/pot)
PRO TIP Stop B-Nine applications by September 14.
6 WEEKS
8–8.5" pot (3 plants/pot)
10" pot (3–5 plants/pot)
12"+ pot (4+ plants/pot)
7 WEEKS
10" pot (3–5 plants/pot)
12"+ pot (4+ plants/pot)
8 WEEKS
12"+ pot (4+ plants/pot)
44
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