 |
 |
Goldsmith Seeds’ EZ Combos are simplified container recipes consisting of two or three compatible plants in either contrasting or harmonizing colors. Plants in each EZ Combo tolerate the same microclimate created within the container and have similar nutrient, water and light requirements.
This particular EZ Combo consists of ‘Maverick Salmon Confetti’ geraniums and ‘Tuscany Peach’ verbena. Maverick geraniums take the heat and produce many long-lasting flowers. Plants reach 14-16 inches tall and 12-14 inches wide. Tuscany verbenas are more resistant to disease and prefer hot, dry conditions. Full, bushy plants produce plenty of eye-catching flowers. Plants reach 8–10 inches tall and 16–20 inches wide.
For more: www.goldsmithseeds.com.
| Production Growers can begin an EZ Combo production schedule by first determining the finish date. Working backward from this date, growers can schedule the final transplant into the finished containers three to four weeks prior to the finish date. Assembling pre-finished plants into the final containers ensures a high quality product. Sow Maverick geranium seed into 128-cell plug trays containing a well-draining growing medium with a pH of 6.4–6.5 and an electrical conductivity of 0.75-1.0. A high electrical conductivity level may cause roots to become brittle. Maintain a medium temperature of 72°F. Manipulation of night temperatures after buds are visible can hasten or slow down flower development. After germination, provide seedlings with supplemental lighting of 350–450 footcandles for a 16–18 hour day. This will promote earlier flowering. Feed with a well-balanced fertilizer blend at 50–75 parts per million nitrogen. Phosphorus should not exceed 10 ppm. Geraniums are sensitive to ammonium. The ammonium level should not exceed 5 ppm to avoid stretching. Production time in a 128-cell plug tray is approximately six weeks. Many growers choose to transplant the plugs into 1801 containers or similar volume Ellepots. Plants should be grown to a budded, pre-finished stage prior to transplanting into finished containers. Continue to provide supplemental lighting to initiate bud development. Geraniums are light accumulators, so the more light plants receive (up to 4,500 footcandles of light), the earlier the flowering. Continue to provide 300-500 footcandles of light for a total 16-18 hour photoperiod. Common pests and diseases include thrips, Botrytis, Pythium, Alternaria, Pseudomonas and rust. Sow Tuscany verbena seed into 288-cell plug trays containing a well-draining growing medium with a pH of 5.8–6.0 and an electrical conductivity of 0.5-0.75. Water the medium before seeding to ensure it is moist (moisture level of 3). Re-saturate the medium after seeding. Maintain a medium temperature of 75°F. After germination, maintain an electrical conductivity level between 0.5-0.75 as verbena can be sensitive to high soluble salts levels. Feed with a well-balanced fertilizer with 50–75 ppm of nitrogen. Provide a light level of 3,500–4,500 footcandles to hasten flower induction. From a 288 cell, plug production time is six to seven weeks. Transplant verbena plugs into containers with the growing medium volume similar to an 1801. Maverick geraniums require a growing medium pH of 6.4–6.5, while Tuscany verbenas do best in a medium with a pH of 5.8–6.0. To grow these crops harmoniously in the same container, drench the medium of the geraniums in the 1801 containers with a flowable lime solution (1:1 ratio). This drench should be done just before transplanting the plants into the finished containers. After transplanting, follow a normal fertilizer and watering schedule, along with a supplemental feed of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) at 16 ounces per 100 gallons to ensure healthy green foliage. The key cultural aspect is to treat the 1801 transplants as a pre-finished crop to ensure maximum flower power at finishing. |
Explore the December 2009 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
Latest from Greenhouse Management
- Meet the All-America Selections AAS winners for 2025
- AmericanHort accepting applications for HortScholars program at Cultivate'25
- BioWorks hires Curt Granger as business development manager for specialty agriculture
- 2025 Farwest Show booth applications now open
- Bug budget boom
- Don’t overlook the label
- Hurricane Helene: Florida agricultural production losses top $40M, UF economists estimate
- No shelter!
