Silver Surfer™
- Reliable BeGreen seed treatment from Benary
- Outstanding root development for faster growth
- Strong performance under hot and dry conditions
- Excellent choice for hanging baskets and mixed containers
- Optimal storage: up to 6 months at 5 °C / 41 °F
- Crop Time
- Spring: 12 - 14 weeks
- Height ∅
- 3 ″ / 8 cm
- Width ∅
- 11 ″ / 28 cm
- Exposure
- Partial Sun - Sun
- Seed Form
- BeGreen ApeX
- Product Use
- Hanging Baskets, Mixed Containers, Bedding
- Family, Origin
- Convolvulaceae, North & Central America
- Minimum Germ. Rate
- 85%
Technical Guide
Germination: Maintain optimum conditions for seedling development, beginning on the day of sowing until radicle emergence. Expect radicle emergence in 6-8 days.
Cover: Important - The seeds should be covered by a thin layer of vermiculite or substrate to maintain moisture and humidity levels. This is necessary for germination, whereas light is not required.
Sowing method: 1-2 seeds per plug.
Media: pH 5.5-6.3; EC 0.75.
Temperature: 22-24 °C (72-76 °F). For irrigation use warm water (above 18 °C/64 °F) only.
Moisture: Seedlings grow best under warm and dry conditions. Start with the humidity level 4 and lower the level to 2-3 after the radicles have fully emerged.
Fertilizer: Maintain an EC < 0.7. At radicle emergence, apply 50-75 ppm nitrogen from 15-0-15.
Light: In the first stage of plug development light is optional. Then increase the light level up to 10,000-25,000 lx for minimum 14 hours/day. Later on, the seedlings need an intense light up to 55,000 lx.
Temperature: 18-22 °C (64-72 °F) night and day. In the last stage of the plug development, the temperature can be lowered to 17-18 °C (62-64 °F).
Fertilizer: Overall use light feed. 100-175 ppm nitrogen should be used in the second stage of plug development. Maintain an EC between 0.7 to 1.2. Rinse the foliage after feeding to avoid salt burns.
Growth Regulators: No pinching needed. In the early stages no growth regulators are required. Later on, daminozide sprays at 2,500 ppm can be used for plug culture. One week before transplanting, spray 2,500 ppm to promote the branches. Overall, growth regulators are just an option.
Media: pH 5.5-6.5; EC 1.2-1.5.
Light: Provide the youngplants 25,000-55,000 lx for at least 14 hours a day after potting. High light levels result in a more intense silver color of the foliage and shorter internodes.
Temperature: Maintain 17-18 °C (62-64 °F) at night and 18-22 °C (64-72 °F) at day in the growing stage.
Moisture: The crop grows best under dry conditions with a humidity level around 2. Avoid waterlogging.
Fertilizer: Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the youngplants with 175-225 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Maintain an EC between 1.2 to 1.5. Rinse the foliage after feeding to avoid salt burns.
Growth Regulators: Overall, the branching of Silver Surfer™ is fantastic and the cultivation is feasible without any use of growth regulators or pinching. There is the option to spray a single application of 5,000 ppm two weeks after transplanting to increase the branching of the silverly foliage and to reduce the length for an easier shipment and presentation at retail.
Fungicide: A wet and too cold cultivation can lead to Botrytis and Phytophtera infections.
Common Diseases: Rarely downy-mildew.
Pests: No vulnerability.
Expert Tip
Dichondra does not tolerate waterlogging. In any case, a drainage system will help so that the excess water can run off. This silvery star with attractive leaves is a real eye-catcher in mixed plantings and an excellent choice for hanging baskets. It is also suitable as groundcover plant or for indoor use – a true all-round talent!
– Helen, Product Specialist
Moisture Codes
| Saturated (5) | Water is easily observed when finger is pressed on cell. Water moves freely from the top of the plug to the bottom. |
| Wet (4) | Media looks black and is not glistening. The media feels wet to the touch but there is very little water movement. |
| Moist (3) | Water is not easily visible. When finger is pressed on the cell there is very little movement from top to bottom. |
| Medium (2) | Media is not black, but now looks medium brown. There is no water movement when pressed with finger. |
| Dry (1) | Media has changed color to a very light brown and is dry to the touch. |
All information in our technical guide is based on our own trials and would therefore be as guideline only. Detailed cultivation aspects vary depending on climate, location, time of year and environmental conditions. Benary expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content of such data/information and makes no representation or warranty for the cultivation of any products listed. It is recommended that growers conduct a trial of products under their own conditions.
