August 2003

Diascia Flying Colors By Jeanne Svob

Flying Colors diascia is early to bloom and longer lastingin the summer garden than other diascias. Rooted liners planted January-Marchwill finish in 5-7 weeks for 4-inch pot (one plant per pot) and 10-12 weeks for8- to 10-inch pots (three plants per pot).

Flying Colors will exhibit plant vigor under stressfulconditions and will flower more profusely in warmer temperatures. Excellentbranching habit and tight bloom spikes make these diascia spectacular in 4-inchpots as well as in hanging baskets. And they add bright, unique colors tocombinations.

Five colors make up the series: ‘Flying Colors Coral’ hasvibrant deep coral blooms with an upright habit, tight bloom spikes andexcellent garden vigor and has received recognition in many independent summertrials in both the North and South for garden performance. ‘Flying ColorsApricot’ is a shimmering apricot and holds its color well in heat and highlight. Apricot also has an upright growth habit. ‘Flying Colors TrailingAntique Rose’ is covered with dusty rose blooms with deep green foliage sittingon this tightly branched, trailing plant. ‘Flying Colors Trailing Red’ has darkrosy red flowers with a trailing habit and exhibits excellent heat tolerance.’Flying Colors Appleblossom’ has large, unique pastel pink flowers with anupright growth habit.

Growing on

Flying Colors will arrive as rooted liners. Transplantliners into any good, well-drained potting media and maintain a pH of 6.0-6.5and EC 0.6-0.9. Give a constant feed with a general-purpose fertilizercontaining micronutrients. Start at 200-250 ppm nitrogen and adjust asnecessary to maintain proper EC and pH levels. Increase the amount of potassiumtoward the end of culture.

As for temperature, start with warm night temperatures of62-65° F for approximately 10 days to build roots. The optimum growing ontemperature is 55-65° F days and 45-55° F nights. Once finished, plantscan be held at temperatures between 45 and 50° F. Diascia will tolerate alight frost down to about 28° F.

For best results grow under very high light, and keep plantsevenly moist but not too wet. Best results are also achieved if plants arewatered in the morning. Avoid over-head watering late in the day, and provideadequate air circulation.

One pinch about 10-14 days after transplant is recommended.Additional pinching may not be necessary if plants are grown at recommendedtemperatures and in high light.

Growth regulators are not necessary if high light and coolnight temperatures are provided. Florel applied two weeks after pinch will enhance finish in largercontainers. Rate is location specific.

Drench with a broad-spectrum fungicide at liner transplant.Watch for whiteflies and aphids.

Availability

Flying Colors Coral, Apricot, Trailing Antique Rose andTrailing Red are available as rooted liners from Proven Winners, whileAppleblossom is available through EuroAmerican Propagators in ProvenSelections.