Vinca
Cora
FLOWERING
Time Frame when plants are
receptive to flower initiation: Days 18 – 21;
4 – 6 leaves present.
Flowering Type: Day Neutral Plant – will flower regardless of daylength.
Specific Flowering Mechanism: Temperatures > 72°F
(22°C) will hasten
flower development.
PLUG CULTURE
Germination – Optimum conditions for seedling development that begins the day
the crop is sown until cotyledon expansion.
Expect radicle emergence in 8 – 9 days.
Cover: Seeds may be covered with a medium layer of coarse vermiculite to
maintain moisture levels.
Media: • pH: 5.3 – 5.8 • EC:<1.0
Light: Dark conditions are required for germination.
Once cotyledons have expanded,
provide light at 100 – 500 foot candles (1000 – 5000 lux).
Temperature: 75° – 78°F (24°
– 25°C) until day 14.
Moisture: Wet (4+),
from day 1 – 6. On day 6,
drop to moisture level moist (3),
and water to (4) until day 9.
Then alternate between moisture level medium (2),
and moist (3).
Humidity: 100% from day 1 – 10 or until seed coats are shed.
Dehumidify: Day 11 to 40%.
Provide horizontal airflow to aid in drying
down the media through evapotranspiration,
allowing better penetration of
oxygen to the roots.
Fertilizers: Maintain EC at <1.0.
Fertigation water should not be greater than 0.5.
Plug Bulking/Flower Initiation –
Optimum conditions during the vegetative
period, beginning at cotyledon expansion,
needed for the root to reach the edge of
the plug cell;AND to make the plant receptive to flower initiation.
Media: • pH: 5.3 – 5.8 • EC:1.0 – 1.2
Light: Supplemental lighting at 350 – 500 foot candles at day 9 will enhance
shoot and root growth.
Temperature: 72° – 74°F (22°
– 23°C) from day 14 – 18. On day 19,
begin 70° – 74°F (20° – 23°C).
Average Daily Temperature (ADT):
72°F (22°C)
Moisture: Alternate between moisture level wet (4) to medium (2) from days
9 – 16.
Allow the soil to approach level medium (2),
before resaturating to (4).
Thereafter alternate between moisture levels wet (4),
and dry (1). Allow
soil to approach level (1) before resaturating between to (4).
Fertilizers: Under high light conditions,
apply an ammoniumbased feed (17517) at 50 – 75 ppm Nitrogen.
Under low light conditions, apply a calciumbased
feed (14414) at 50 – 75 ppm Nitrogen.
Growth Regulators:
If needed,
spray BNine (daminozide) at 1250 – 2500 ppm.
Fungicides: Preventative fungicide may be applied between day 7 and 10 for
Thielaviopsis and Rhizoctonia.
GROWING ON
Transplant Ready: 6 – 7 weeks from a ‘288’ plug tray.
Finish Bulking/Flower Initiation –
Optimum conditions during the vegetative
period, beginning at transplant,
needed for the root to reach the edge of the container;
AND to make the plant receptive to flower initiation.
Media: • pH: 5.3 – 5.8 • EC:1.2 – 1.5
Light: Provide 3500 – 4500 foot candles (12 – 15 total moles or 35,000 –
45,000 lux) to hasten flower induction.
Supplemental lighting under low light
conditions at 350 – 450 foot candles (35,000 – 45,000 lux) will enhance shoot
and root growth.
Temperature: 70° – 74°F (21°
– 23°C) day and night time temperature. Average Daily Temperature (ADT):
72°F (22°C)
Moisture: Alternate between moisture levels wet (4),
and dry (1). Allow soil
to approach level (1) before resaturating to (4).
Humidity: 40 – 70%
Dehumidify: Provide horizontal airflow to aid in drying down the media
through evapotranspiration,
allowing better penetration of oxygen to the roots.
Fertilizers: Under high light conditions,
apply an ammoniumbased feed (17517) at 100 – 150 ppm Nitrogen.
Under low light conditions, apply a calciumbased feed (14414) at 100 – 150 ppm Nitrogen.
Growth Regulators:
It is best to control growth through moisture,
feed and temperature management. If needed,
apply sprays of BNine (daminozide) at
2500 – 5000 ppm or ARest (ancymidol) at 3 – 5 ppm.
PreShipping Techniques to Enhance Post Harvest Quality
When to treat:
1 – 2 weeks prior to finish or shipping.
Growth Regulators: BNine (daminozide) at 2500 – 3000 ppm.
Fertilizer: Potassium nitrate drench at 150 ppm Nitrogen.
Common Diseases:
Thielaviopsis, Rhizoctonia, Pythium.
Monitor moisture
and humidity levels and use preventative fungicide drenches.
Common Pests: Fungus Gnats,
Shore Flies and Thrips. Use pesticides
according to label directions.
SCHEDULING
Total crop time:
10 – 14 weeks ‘288’
Plug crop time: 5 – 6 weeks
Transplant to finish crop time: |
Packs:
6 – 7 weeks |
|
4” crop:
7 – 8 weeks |
|
6” crop:
8 – 9 weeks, depending on number |
|
of plugs transplanted into pot.
|
|
|
Produce
Use: Packs, pots, containers,
mass plantings
GARDEN SPECIFICATIONS
Light: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zone: 11 AHS Heat Zone: 12 – 1
Garden Height:
14 – 16 inches (35 – 40 cm)
Garden Width: 22 – 25 inches (55 – 62 cm)
Note:
These suggestions are only guidelines and may have to be altered to meet individual grower's needs.
Check all chemical labels to verify registration for use in your region.