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Gerbera
New to the gerbera Festival series, Apricot with Eye and Red with Eye are bred for improved compact plant habit. They feature shorter flower stems for easier shipping. Other available colors include Lemon Yellow, Salmon Rose, Blush, Cream, Orange and White Shades.
During germination, a slightly fertilized peat with 20 percent perlite works well. For optimum results, maintain a pH of 5.5-5.8, EC of 0.7 and temperature of 72° F. Gerberas are photosensitive during germination, so no top cover is needed.
After seedlings have emerged and cotyledons are present, provide good air movement and an air temperature at 68-72° F. Fertilize with 50- to 75-ppm nitrogen from a well-balanced, calcium nitrate–based fertilizer around day 10. Gradually increase fertilizer concentration to 100-ppm nitrogen to maintain a media EC between 0.8 and 1.0 as seedlings progress.
When plants are ready for transplant, select a sterile, well-drained media with good aeration. Keep pot tight for the first four to five weeks after transplant. Then, space before leaves cover the crowns of other plants. Optimum day temperature is 72-75° F and 65° F at night. Gerbera require high light levels; maintain light level at 4,000-6,000 foot-candles.
Major pests to watch for include leaf miners, whiteflies, cyclamen mites and aphids. Common diseases are Alternaria, Phytophthora and powdery mildew.
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Sakata Seed America |
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Osteospermum
‘Astra Sunset Purple’ and ‘Astra Pink Silver’ are two new introductions to the Astra series this year. Other colors offered are Violet, White, Pink Yellow, Peach Ice, Yellow, Pink Spoon and Purple Spoon. Astras were bred to branch and have a compact habit. They are well suited to be grown in 4- to 10-inch hanging baskets. They will grow to fit the pot size.
Astra varieties have a very low cold requirement, so they can be grown without a traditional cold period. They may be grown at 60-65° F. Pinching at the third node cab is beneficial but not necessary. Grow at a pH of 5.6-6.0 and EC of 1.2, using a 2 to 1 soil test. In propagation, osteospermums need a soil temperature of 72-75° F. Rooting hormone is beneficial to promote rooting. A wetting agent spray after sticking may help avoid excess wilting.
Plant growth regulators are not usually needed on Astra varieties, but some of the newer varieties may need some B-Nine (daminozide), Cycocel (chlormequat chloride) or A-Rest (ancymidol).
Osteospermum have very few pest problems, but a good preventive insecticide program is always recommended. Fungi such as Botrytis,
Phytophthora and Pythium should be covered in a preventive spray
program.
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Oro Farms, Inc. |
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