Graffiti® Cranberry

Culture guide

Usage

Pots, Mixed Containers, Mass Plantings and Landscape

Sow time

January-April

Sowing method

1 pellet per plug. No cover is necessary.

Germination

Maintain optimal conditions for seedling development beginning on the day of sowing until radical emergence. Expect radical emergence in 7-10 days. Humidity should be between 95-100% until day 10; then reduce to 40-60%.

Growing on

Day neutral plant, will flower regardless of day length. Very responsive to irradiance and additional lighting. Providing a 14-16 hrs. day length, especially in the seedling stages, will shorten the crop significantly. In addition, growing at warmer temperatures will shorten the crop time.

Media

Plug culture: pH 6.2-6.5 Starting with the proper pH of the media will improve the performance of the seedlings. Pentas can exhibit iron toxicity at lower pH levels, below 5.5. Pentas require close attention to the proper media pH. If the pH is too high, a micro nutrient deficiency may occur and if too low, an iron toxicity can occur. EC < 0.5.

Temperature

Plug culture: 23-26°C (74-78°F). Once germination is completed with fully expanded cotyledons, on day 14 the temperature can be lowered slightly to 22°C (72°F). Water trays using tempered water with a minimum temperature of 18°C (64°F). Media temperatures below 16°C (60°F) will inhibit the germination and growth. 20-21°C (68-70°F). As plants become more mature the temperature can be lowered to 18-20°C (64-68°F) nights and 22-23°C (72-73°F) days. Warmer temperatures will benefit and shorten the finish time.

Growing on: 20-21°C (68-70°F) nights, 22-23°C (72-73°F) days for the first 14 days or until the roots reach the bottom of the container. Thereafter temperatures may be lowered to 16-18°C (60-64°F) nights and 20-23°C (68-74°F) days. Higher temperatures are beneficial and will shorten the crop time. Pentas do not seem to have a maximum temperature that will inhibit growth and flowering.

 

Fertilization

Plug culture: Maintain an EC < 0.75. At this stage fertilized water should not exceed an EC of 0.5 Begin feeding on day 10 with 50 ppm 14-2-14, 14-4-14 or 17-5-17. Keep phosphorous levels < 8 ppm, iron levels at 2-3 ppm. Maintain the EC levels below 1.2. Under lower light conditions fertilize with a calcium based fertilizer, 14-4-14 at 100 ppm. Under higher light use a 17-5-17 feed at 100 ppm.

Growing on: : Under low light conditions fertilize with a 14-4-14 fertilizer at 100-150 ppm and under high light conditions use a 17-5-17 fertilizer at 100-150 ppm. Watch for calcium and magnesium deficiencies which can cause stunted plants.

Tip

Graffiti® is the earliest, most uniform and compact Pentas series on the market. It has the broadest color range and garden performance that lives up to the Graffiti® brand name growers and landscapers trust.