Plug Culture – 288 Cell – 4 weeks

Stage One (days 1-10) Sow seed into a 288 plug tray and lightly cover with medium vermiculite. Maintain even moisture and a temperature between 65-68 °F/18-20 °C.

Stage Two (days 11-17) After germination is complete, move the seedling trays to a well-lighted area with good ventilation. Fertilize lightly with 100 ppm N and reduce the temperature to 60 °F/16 °C during the day and 50 °F/10 °C at night.

Stage Three (days 18-25) Maintain an E.C. level between 1.0 and 1.4 mmhos (2:1 slurry) and provide high light up to 7,000 foot candles/75,000 lux and good air circulation.

Stage Four (days 26-28) The seedlings have 2 pairs of true leaves and are now ready for transplanting into cut flower beds. The Cheerful series sets buds earlier than common varieties. Never delay transplanting. Due to special breeding techniques the Cheerful series will produce 90% plus fully double flowers. Therefore, no special seedling selection is needed. Transplant all seedlings!

Cut Flower Production – 7-9 weeks

Bed Preparation: Select a sunny location with good drainage and a fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.

Lighting: Stock Cheerful is not photoperiodic but a combination of long days and warm temperatures will cause premature flowering. Optimum light level is 4,000-7,000 foot candles/43,000-75,000 lux.

Planting: Space 5 inches/12.5 cm. apart and water regularly, never allow the bed to dry out for the first week. Protect from strong sunshine the first week until the crop is established.

Temperature: Stock Cheerful is classified as an early flowering variety that requires less cooling to initiate flowering. Cheerful requires cool temperatures and after transplant keep the day temperature under 70 °F/21 °C and 50-60 °F/11-15 °C at night.

Support: Plants need supporting nets when plants are about 1 foot/30 cm. tall. Add additional netting as plants develop.

Fertilizer: Maintain an E.C. level around 2.0 mmhos (2:1 slurry) in clay soils and 1.6 mmhos in sandy soils and fertilize as needed to maintain healthy plants. Water sufficiently during production and then keep rather dry from visible bud to harvest.

Insects/Disease: Spray for diamondback moths and aphids, and be on guard against botrytis and sclerotium.

Harvesting: Cut stems when spikes have 7-15 open flowers.

Scheduling:

Note: Stock Cheerful matures 1-3 weeks earlier than Mid Cheerful depending on temperature. Stock Cheerful is less delayed in warmer temperatures than Mid Cheerful.