Silver Dollar

Flowering Type: Not applicable. Plants are grown for their unique foliage and used in ornamental applications like mixed containers and as bedding plants.

Flowering Mechanism: NA – higher light intensity and warmer temperatures will shorten the total production time. Plants grown in ground and large containers can be used to provide branches and leaves for ornamental use.

Germination: Optimum conditions for seedling development, beginning on the day of sowing until radicle emergence. Expect radicle emergence in 7–9 days.

Sowing method: 1-3 seeds per plug. Using 2-3 seeds per plug will result in a fuller finished product, especially when used as a component in mixed containers.

Media: pH 5.5-6.2; EC < 0.75.

Cover: No cover is needed. A thin cover of vermiculite can be used to help maintain moisture and humidity.

Temperature: 20-25 °C (68-77 °F).

Moisture: Begin with a saturated (5) media moisture for the first 2-3 days and on day 4 reduce to a wet (4). Maintain a media moisture of wet (4) until day 9 or until radicle emergence has occurred. On day 9 alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2), allowing the media to reach a medium (2) before re-saturating to a wet (4).

Humidity: 95-100 % until day 9; then reduce to 40-60 %. Provide proper ventilation and horizontal airflow to improve oxygen levels in the media.

Light: Require light for germination. Protect seedlings from direct sunlight until seedlings are well established.

Fertilizer: The young plants are sensitive to salt, avoid high fertilizer applications to prevent salt damages. Maintain an EC < 0.75. Fertilized water should not exceed an EC of 0.5 for the first two weeks. Fertilize early on day 9 with a complete balanced fertilizer 14-4-14 or 15-5-15 at 50-60 ppm nitrogen.

Plug Bulking and Flower Initiation: This stage is when the seedling root to the edge of the plug. All varieties are grown for the unique foliage and not for a flowering product.

Media: pH 5.5-6.2; EC 1.0-1.5.

Light: High light levels are beneficial. Provide 8-10 mols, 2,500-3,000 ft. candles, (25,000-30,000 lx).

Temperature: Grow at 16-18 °C ( 60-64 °F). Do not cultivate at temperatures below 12 °C (54 °F).

Moisture: Alternate between media moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2). Allow the media moisture level to reach a medium (2) before re-saturating to a wet (4).

Fertilizer: Eucalyptus require high fertilization. Fertilizer levels can be increased to 150-200 ppm weekly using a complete balanced fertilizer 15-5-15 or 17-5-17. Under high light and temperature a 20-10-20 can also be used.

Growth Regulators: Growth in the early stages is slowly, so usually no growth regulators are required. A common practice is to give a soft pinch to the main shoot or cut back seedlings for a better branching. B-Nine (daminozide) sprays at 2,500–5,000 ppm can be used. Light applications of Bonzi or Piccolo (paclobutrazol) sprays can also be used.

Fungicides: Preventative applicatons of fungicides are recommended. However, Eucalyptus are fairly resistant to disease. If needed, apply fungicides for root problems, pythium and rhizoctonia.

Media: pH 5.5-6.2; EC 1.25-1.70.

Light: High light intensity is required for optimal growth. Provide 10-18 mols, 3,000-5,000 ft. candles (30,000-50,000 lx).

Temperature: Grow at 16-18 °C ( 60-64 °F) nights, 20-21 °C (68-70 °F) days. Plants can handle slightly lower growing temperatures without problems. Do not cultivate at temperatures below 12 °C (54 °F). Eucalyptus does not tolerate frost.

Moisture: Alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2). Allow the media moisture level to reach a medium (2) before resaturating to a wet (4). Under high light and warm temperatures plants will require more frequent watering. During winter and cooler conditions cultivate slightly drier.

Humidity: 40-60 % humidity is ideal. Providing good ventilation and horizontal airflow will help lower the humidity and dry back the media.

Fertilizer: High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize weekly with a complete balanced fertilizer (15-5-15, 17-5-17) at 200-300 ppm nitrogen. Under higher light conditions in the late spring and summer a 20-10-20 fertilizer can be used. Avoid high levels of ammonium. During the winter fertilize less frequently at three to four week intervals. Application of magnesium sulfate (0.05 %) can be made 1-2 times at 100 ppm to prevent magnesium deficiency. In case of iron defficiency, apply ironchelate 1-2 times. In larger containers a slow release fertilizer can be used effectively.

Growth Regulators: During the finishing stage no growth regulators should be necessary.

Fungicide: Apply fungicides during long periods of low light and high humidity.

Common Diseases: Botrytis can be present under very wet and cool conditions.

Pests: Primarily aphids and thrips.

Post Harvest: Fertilize with potassium nitrate at 100 ppm 1–2 weeks prior to shipping.