AmericanHort provides this on a Not For Publication basis. Publication of this information, in part or whole, is only permissible through written permission of the author(s). Cultivate 2016 Tips, Tricks and Production Hints for Fall Pansy Production July 11, 2016 Amy Briggs-Macha Customer Solutions Tech Lead 2016 Syngenta. Classification: Public. Some or all of the varieties may be protected under one or more of the following: Plant Variety Protection, United States Plant Patents, Utility Patents, and/or Plant Breeders Rights and may not be propagated or reproduced without authorization. The trademarks displayed or otherwise used herein are the property of their respective owners.
Let s talk about the DOs and DON Ts for Fall Pansy Production! Young Plant Production Finished Production Variety selection Colossus Yellow with Blotch Pansy 2
Young Plant Production DO: Know the different options in seed forms available Raw Seed Untreated seed that requires more days to germinate Best germination results when using a seed chamber Germination can be negatively affected when germinating on benches in warm season months Typically 4 to 5 days for radicle emergence at 68-70 F Primed Seed Pre-treatment of seed prior to sowing to improve germination speed and uniformity Helps to overcome thermodormancy that can occur during summer plug production More uniform results when germinating on a bench Typically 3 days for radicle emergence at 68-70 F Pre-Germinated Seed Pre-treatment of seed to start the germination process prior to sowing Improves germination speed and uniformity under a wide range of temperatures Overcomes thermo-dormancy issues during warm season production, especially when germinating on benches Typically 2 days for radicle emergence at 68-70 F 3
Young Plant Production DO: Focus on the details to maximize germination and uniformity Cover trays with a LIGHT layer of vermiculite to help maintain moisture and humidity around the seed If possible, use a germination chamber at 68 70 F & 100% RH for the first 2 to 4 days after sowing (depending on seed form) Once plugs are placed in greenhouse, maintain light levels less than 1,500 fc until day 7 to complete germination Reduce temperatures once germination is complete to 64 66 F for stages 2 & 3 4
Young Plant Production DON T: Get heavy handed with the vermiculite! Applying heavy layers of vermiculite can smother the seed and inhibit germination! 5
Young Plant Production DON T: Keep media too wet during plug stage 2 Pansies will exhibit root running when soil moisture is too high during stage 2 of plug growth Pansies commonly have this problem when trays are kept too wet at this stage, especially during fall pansy plug production 6
Young Plant Production DO: Pick the right fertilizers and fungicides to produce the best plugs possible! 4 weeks after sow Fertilizer: Use calcium nitrate based fertilizers (e.g., 13-2-13,15-5-15) at 50 100 ppm N for plug production Avoid fertilizers high in phosphorus to prevent stretch Maintain a boron concentration of 0.5 ppm in the media Fungicide: Apply a preventative Medallion fungicide drench for Thielaviopsis especially if growing at cool temperatures 7
Young Plant Production DON T: Use fertilizers with high Phosphorus concentrations during plug production Not Recommended 8
Young Plant Production DO: Be ready to apply PGRs to your fall pansy plug crop! Plant Growth Regulator Recommendations: Spray B-Nine at 1,500 2,500 ppm once cotyledons have fully expanded Spray B-Nine at 2,500 3,500 ppm or A-Rest plant growth regulator at 3-6 ppm once first set of leaves has expanded Spray a tank mix of B-Nine at 2,500 ppm + A-Rest at 3 ppm to hold Higher concentrations may be necessary if temperatures exceed 75 F 9
Young Plant Production DON T: Apply PGRs during hot, high light conditions Use care when applying PGRs! Hard, gnarled growth on young plugs can occur if plants are sprayed during high light and temperatures If spraying in the afternoon, make sure plugs are well watered and light levels are less than 1,500 fc 10
Finished Production DO: Closely inspect plugs prior to transplanting to ensure a successful finished crop! CHECK LIST WHEN RECEIVING PLUGS: ROOTS Are there plants with yellow lower leaves or wilt, which indicates an infection of a root rot pathogen? Are the plug roots brown or blackened, which may indicate exposure to high fertilizer salts or a fungal infection? Are the plugs too old and root wrapping observed? SHOOTS Are the plugs dark green, stunted and with crinkled leaves, indicating that the plugs have been treated with high doses of plant growth regulators? Are there any signs of necrotic leaf spots indicating fungal infection on the plugs? Are the plugs leggy? Are there damaging insects feeding on the foliage? Are the plugs overgrown and already have large buds or open flowers? 11
Finished Production DON T: Stress newly transplanted Pansies The first two weeks after transplanting are critical for a successful finished crop! Environmental stress (high heat, light and severe dry cycles) and improper water management can lead to crop failure Start crops under shade during hot summer months, then move into higher light conditions once plants are established Cupped leaves indicate environmental stress on young Pansies in production Keep moderate moisture levels until plants have established in the finished containers 12
Finished Production DO: Provide the right fertilizer formulation and concentration to your finished Fall Pansy crops Fertilizer Recommendations Feed as needed at 100 150 ppm nitrogen with a cal-mag fertilizer (e.g., 15-5-15) During cool weather production, ammonium-based feeds may encourage root rot problems Avoid media EC above 1.5 ms/cm as pansy roots are sensitive to high salts 13
Finished Production DON T: Use feeds with high concentrations of Nitrogen Fertilizers mixed at higher Nitrogen concentrations (200 ppm N and greater) or Ammonium nitrate based fertilizers (e.g., 20-10-20) will promote stretching. Especially in warm summer months! 14
Finished Production DO: Keep an eye out for common nutritional deficiencies to avoid production problems Low Calcium or Boron levels can cause pansies to stall in finished production and form hard, distorted leaves Good transpiration is required to move calcium and boron up into newly expanding leaves Under hot, humid conditions symptoms of deficiency may be present despite acceptable nutrient levels in the media 15
Finished Production DO: Keep an eye out for common nutritional deficiencies to avoid production problems Boron Deficiency in Pansy The most significant nutritional problem for pansies New growth is stunted, with thickened leaves and/or a gnarled mass of lateral shoots Boron deficiency is more prevalent during warm weather with frequent watering ph levels below 6.0 will ensure boron is more readily available to the plant Rarely will plants grow out of boron deficiency 16
Finished Production DO: Be ready to apply PGRs to your finished fall pansy crops Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Recommendations PGR RATE FREQUENCY BEGIN Bonzi Spray 5 10 ppm 1 2 applications as needed 1 2 wks after transplant B-Nine Spray 3,500 5,000 ppm B-Nine + A-Rest Spray 2,500 ppm + 5 ppm 1 2 applications as needed 1 2 applications as needed 1 2 wks after transplant 1 2 wks after transplant Bonzi Drench 0.25 0.5 ppm 1 application 1 2 wks after transplant or at finish 17 Little or no growth regulation is needed if grown cool (40 55 F). PGR rates will vary based upon light and temperature Pinching is not recommended
Finished Production DON T: Skimp on preventative fungicide applications! Primary disease problems: Root and Crown rots Can be hard to identify, often more than one disease present Preventative fungicide applications, fertilizer and water management are critical to success Thielaviopsis: Black lesions on roots and black root tips. Roots firm, not mushy. Black spores in line are visible with magnification lens. Pythium, Phythophthora: Roots discolored, slimy. Outer tissue pulls off, gummy clear fungi visible. Rhizoctonia: Roots and stem tissue collapses, brown lesions at soil surface. Fungi is brown, grows at right angles Fusarium: Clear to brown lesions on stem and root below soil line. White fungal growth see in later stages. Myrothecium: Wilting, mushy brown tissue at crown. White mycelium with black spores visible with lens. 18
Variety Selection DO: Pick the right varieties for your fall programs Producing Pansy crops in the late summer and fall can be challenging! High temperatures and humidity during production can result in: Small flower size Flower bud abortion Soft, stretchy growth Lots of GREAT options out there to pick from: Extra Large Flower Pansy series Large Flower Pansy series Trailing Pansy series Delta Premium Pure Yellow Imp Pansy 19
Variety Selection DO: Pick the right varieties for your fall programs Extra Large Flower Pansy Series: Colossus Pansy Proven to have less flower abortion under high stress environments Well branched habit resists stretching even under high temperatures Less shrinkage of flower size during hot fall growing conditions compared to competitor varieties Ideal for the first fall shipments of pansies into retail! Colossus Blotch Mix Pansy 20
Variety Selection DO: Pick the right varieties for your fall programs Large Flower Pansy Series: Delta Premium Pansy Bred for fast pot fill for quick turns in the greenhouse Incredibly compact, well-branched plants reduces input costs with less PGRs needed in production Well matched varieties allow for bench run shipping, increasing efficiencies and profits in the greenhouse! Excellent heat tolerance, resulting in consistent flowering under high temperatures and high humidity Delta Premium Blotch Mix Pansy 21
Variety Selection DO: Get creative with different product forms! Trailing types of Pansy and Violas provide an upscale look at retail! Cloudy Sky Mix: WonderFall Blue Shades Pansy + Endurio Pure Yellow Viola WonderFall Rose Shades with Face Pansy 22
Variety Selection DON T: Be afraid to MIX IT UP! Mums dropped into a trailing Pansy + trailing Viola combo pot! Perfect Fall Combination Snaptastic Snapdragon + WonderFall Pansy and Endurio Violas 23
Thank You! 24