Karl Trellinger

Consider vegetative lobelia, such as the Techno and Techno Heat series from Syngenta Flowers, as a vivid and versatile alternative to Impatiens walleriana. The two series give consumers a long-lasting and low-maintenance color show in containers, combos and borders. Both Techno and Techno Heat deliver award-winning garden performance. For spring and summer sales, we recommend lobelia for all regions of the U.S. and Canada, in shade or part-shade. Lobelia is also well suited for fall and winter use in the southern regions of the U.S. The Techno and Techno Heat series are early to flower and day-length neutral, working well for all turns in 4- and 6-inch programs. Lobelia Propagation Tips Upon Arrival: Stick relatively quickly and get cuttings hydrated as soon as possible. Only store unrooted cuttings overnight in a cooler if necessary. Cuttings can easily dehydrate. Rooting Time: Unrooted cuttings typically take about three and a half to […]

Propagation Rooting time: Lantanas should be stuck immediately upon arrival and should not be stored. If cuttings need to be stored, only store them overnight and not below 48°F. Lantanas are slow to moderate rooters and generally need five weeks of rooting time. A 1,000 parts per million (ppm) IBA hormone dip to the bottom of the stem can help to promote rooting. Misting: Lantanas need consistent misting in low volumes until roots start to form. Group lantanas with other slow-rooting species and don’t stop misting until the cuttings begin to root. They need plenty of heat during propagation (bottom heat ideally at or above 72°F). To avoid Botrytis, apply preventative fungicide sprays of Daconil ULTREX, alternated with Palladium (4 to 6 ounces/100 gallons), Heritage (4 ounces/100 gallons), Chipco 26019 or Decree (1 pound/100 gallons) after sticking and seven to nine days later. Growth regulators: On vigorous varieties, sprays of […]

Pythium. Apply Subdue Maxx at 1 ounce/100 gallons as a soil drench after planting. Rotate with Truban WP (6 to 8 ounces/100 gal.) or Segway (3 ounces/100 gallons) fungicides every four weeks for protection. Botrytis. Be sure to maintain good air movement and low humidity. To avoid botrytis, apply preventative fungicide sprays of Daconil ULTREX alternated with Palladium (4 to 6 ounces/100 gallons), Heritage (4 ounces/100 gallons), Chipco 26019 or Decree (1 lb./100 gallons) after sticking and seven to 10 days later. Powdery Mildew. To prevent outbreaks, maintain good air movement and low humidity in the production area. Apply preventive fungicide treatments throughout the month of October if there is a history of powdery mildew. Effective fungicide spray treatments include Heritage (4 ounces/100 gallons), Palladium (4 to 6 ounces/100 gallons) and several products from FRAC group 3: Eagle 20EW (8 ounces/100 gallons), Terraguard (8 ounces/100 gal.) and Strike 50 WDG […]

The use of a graphical tracking system is highly recommended for poinsettias. With similar day and night temperature setpoints, the need for chemical height control is minimal for many varieties. When day temperatures are more than 5°F higher than night temperatures, a Cycocel spray at 750 to 1,000 ppm one to four times after pinching is sufficient in Northern climates to control stem extension. When day temperatures are greater than 80°F and night temperatures are greater than 70°F, spray a tank mix of Cycocel at 1,000 ppm plus B-Nine at 1,500 ppm one to three times, one to four weeks after pinching. Bonzi sprays can also be used at 5 to 10 ppm under these warm growing conditions. Proper growth regulation before and after the pinch, combined with high light conditions are critical to avoid early internode stretch and to build a sturdy plant. Avoid B-Nine and Bonzi sprays after […]

Whiteflies. To keep whitefly populations under control, drench the growing media with a neonicotinoid (MOA Group 4a) insecticide (e.g. Flagship), three to four weeks after planting (or after pinch). Before the neonicotinoid soil application, use products labeled for whitefly management, such as Avid, Endeavor, Scimitar GC, Talstar, Sanmite, Distance and Judo insecticides. If late-season control is needed, spray with Avid, Flagship, Talus or Tristar (only if a Group 4A was not drenched) insecticides using a spray adjuvant like CapSil. Thrips. Avid, Botanigard, Conserve, Mesurol, Tame/Orthene tank mix (or total release aerosol) and Overture insecticides are some of the products used successfully for thrips management. After bracts form, use Avid or Conserve. Fungus Gnats And Shore Flies. Good sanitation procedures are still the first line of defense for controlling fungus gnats and shore flies. Options for controlling fungus gnat larvae include Azatin XL, Citation, Distance, Duraguard ME, Gnatrol insecticides or beneficial […]

Potting: Immediately after planting, drench with a broad spectrum tank mix of Subdue Maxx at 1 oz/100 gal (or Truban WP at 8 oz/100 gal) + Medallion at 1 oz/100 gal (or Cleary’s 3336 WP). Also consider using broad-spectrum combination products such as Hurricane or Banrot. Media: pH: 5.6 to 6.0 (measured in a saturated slurry). Use a peat-based media such as Fafard 2 Mix or 1P Mix or a bark-based media such as Fafard 4P Mix or 3B Mix. Fertilization: Depending on light level, age and growth rate, constant feed with 225 to 250 ppm nitrogen for dark-leaf varieties and 250 to 275 ppm nitrogen for medium-green-leaf varieties is recommended. Feeding with low nitrogen at 100 tp 150 ppm nitrogen works well as long as all other nutrients (especially potassium, calcium, magnesium and micro-nutrients) at a high level. Make sure to run trials first before using this strategy on […]

Grow Time (From Rooted Cutting) Calibrachoas in a quart container with one plant per pot take six to seven weeks; in a 1-gallon container with two plants per pot, 10 to 11 weeks; and in a 12-inch basket with four to five plants per pot, 11 to 12 weeks. Pinching 4.5-inch or quart containers require one pinch (during propagation) while gallon containers or baskets require one in propagation and one after planting. When growing baskets, trimming the branches once they grow over the edge of the baskets results in the most uniform and even plants. Use a viricide such as Virkon-S, RelyOn or Trisodium phosphate (TSP) viricides when pinching or trimming after at least every variety. An early application of Florel plant growth regulator at 350 to 500 parts per million (ppm) can be used to enhance branching or in place of the second pinch. Growing Media High-quality media with […]

Upon Arrival Calibrachoas can be stored in a cooler for up to 24 hours. Rooting Time Unrooted cuttings typically take about four and a half to five weeks to root in a 105-sized plug. Dipping the base of the cutting into 1,000 parts per million (ppm) IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) can be beneficial, especially during early stick weeks. Growing Media High-porosity media like Fafard 1P Mix is ideal. Fertiss and Ellepot are also common. Keep pH at 5.4 to 5.8 and test media EC and pH at around three weeks after sticking and adjust as needed. Pinching Pinch in propagation at about 3.5 weeks after sticking. Make sure to use good sanitation practices. Temperature Media temperatures of 72°F to 74°F are ideal. Once cuttings are fully rooted, the temperatures can be lowered to control growth. Misting Spray CapSil at 2 to 4 ounces per 100 gallons one day after sticking to […]

Grow Time (From Rooted Cutting) Lantanas in a quart container with one plant per pot take seven to eight weeks, in a gallon container with two plants per pot and also in a 12-inch baskets with four to five plants per pot, 11 to 12 weeks of grow time. Pinching Only one pinch is needed for compact lantanas like Bandana, either late in propagation or after transplant. Try to leave two or more sets of nodes when pinching. For more vigorous varieties like ‘Bandana Trailing Gold,’ two pinches are best. Growing Media High quality media with good porosity is critical for best growth. Peat-based mixes, like Fafard 2 Mix or 1P Mix, or bark-based mixes, like Fafard 4P Mix or 3B Mix work well. Fertilizer Rate Apply 200 to 250 parts per million (ppm) nitrogen, using Cal-Mag fertilizers (i.e. 13-2-13,15-5-15,14-4-14, etc.) for more compact growth and neutral pH. Use high […]

Upon arrival Lantanas should be stuck immediately. Do not store cuttings at a temperature below 48°F. Rooting Time Unrooted cuttings typically take four and a half to five weeks to root in a 105-sized plug. Dipping the base of the stem into 1,000 parts per million (ppm) IBA (indole-3-butyric-acid) can be beneficial, especially during early stick weeks. Growing Media High-porosity media like Fafard 1P Mix is ideal. Fertiss and Ellepot are also common choices. Keep pH at 5.6 – 6.2, test media E.C. and pH about three weeks after sticking and adjust as needed. Pinching Pinching is optional for compact varieties like Bandana but recommended for more vigorous varieties, like Bandana Trailing Gold. Make sure cuttings are well-rooted before pinching. Temperature Media temperatures of 72–74°F are ideal. Misting Spray CapSil one day after sticking to reduce wilting. Apply at a rate of 2 to 4 ounces per 100 gallons. Lantanas […]

Upon Arrival Stick relatively quickly and get cuttings hydrated as soon as possible. Only store unrooted cuttings overnight in a cooler if necessary. Cuttings can easily dehydrate. Rooting Time Unrooted cuttings typically take about three and a half to four weeks to root in a 105-sized plug. The “heat” type lobelias (i.e. Techno Heat varieties) root faster than most traditional “non-heat” types (i.e. Techno Blue). Growing Media High-porosity media like Fafard 1P Mix is ideal. Fertiss and EllePot are also common choices. Keep pH at 5.6 – 6.2, test media E.C. and pH about three weeks after sticking and adjust as needed. Pinching Lobelias do need to be pinched. Be sure to use good sanitation. Cuttings should be well-rooted before pinching. Temperature Media temperatures of 72–74°F are ideal. Once the cuttings are fully rooted, the temperatures can be lowered to control growth. Misting Spray CapSil one day after sticking to […]