Production of geraniums

1. timing

If the horseshoe pattern series grows in a suitable environment, in the northern region, the time from rooting seedlings to flowering is:

basin diameter (cm) circumference

107―8

139―10

1511

1714

In warm southern conditions, the growth period can be shortened by 1-2 weeks.

Climbing series If rooting seedlings are planted, pinching tips 2-3 weeks after potting:

basin diameter (cm) circumference

1011―12

1313―14

1515

1718

In warm southern conditions, the time can be shortened by 1-2 weeks.

2. 4 weeks of production in the upper pot

(1)After arrival: should immediately open and planting, if not timely on the pot, should be placed on the seedling bed, if the seedlings do not take packaging, but also water, if necessary, appropriate shade.

(2)Substrates: Select the best mixed substrate, 55-70% high quality coarse peat, 20-25% pearlite, 5-10% vermiculite for clay heavy substrates and 5-10% clay for enhanced cation exchange.

(3)PH Value: Climb series: 5.2-5.7 Horseshoe series:5.7-5.9.

(4)Fertilization: A complete soil determination is performed every two weeks after planting, and the initial soil analysis report should be: 150ppm N, 200ppm P, 200ppm K, 100ppm Ca, 50ppm Mg, 30ppm S, 1.0ppm Fe, 0.7ppm Mn, 0.3ppm Zn, 0.15ppm Cu, 0.3ppm Mo Formula fertilizer containing 200ppm N should be applied with water after planting (combined with 3/4 oz. SubueMaxx/100gal), do not water too wet the first time so that the roots have enough oxygen to take root quickly. 5-10 After days, 300ppm N is available; for the first two weeks, geranium should grow in a drier substrate. Temperature: no matter how light, the first four weeks of temperature is 21-22℃ (according to the size of the pot). 21℃ during the day and 17-18℃ at night will cause excessive growth, less branching and affect root development.

(5)Light: The optimum light for the first two weeks after colonization is 27-32klux and then increases to 37-48klux.

(6)CO2: 1500ppm in the first four weeks can promote growth.

(7)Rot mold: Use 3 - 4 oz. SubdueMaxx3-4 times a week. Frequency of application depends on watering and amount of water. Pay attention to this disease when planting.

(8)Growth Regulators: To obtain a well-branched plant type, growth regulators must be used to control growth, with 750ppm CCC, 750ppm B-9 for vigorous growth, or 750ppm mixture if necessary.

3. flower production

(1)Greenhouse climate management: In general, temperature should not be lowered even in low light, as this will result in delayed growth, affect root development and increase the chance of root and leaf susceptibility, as these diseases are mainly caused by high humidity.

Temperature: suitable temperature for day and night is 21-22℃ (according to pot size), average temperature of 20℃ is better for slower growing crops, the greater the temperature difference between day and night, the longer the internode and petiole, the larger the leaves and the fewer branches. High temperature in day and low temperature in night within a certain range can save heating costs, but will reduce the quality of flowering. The reverse temperature difference can be applied when the plant is mature and can be maintained for 3-7 weeks depending on the pot size. The application time of reverse temperature difference depends on the growth and elongation rate.

Light: suitable for light horseshoe series 37-54 (maximum) klux climbing series 32-43 (maximum) klux hanging on the seedbed, especially in the second stage of growth, for better growth, often put it in a stronger, hotter, humidity environment, for IVIES series, if rooted seedlings 2-3 weeks after planting usually 4 weeks longer than horseshoe series growth period.

Humidity: In order to prevent gray mold, it is important to keep humidity low through adequate air flow. Heating, ventilation and high night temperature can effectively reduce gray mold infection, ensure the production of high-quality geranium, the appropriate humidity should be less than 75%.

(2)PH pH and Fertilization: pH should be constantly monitored and corrected. The climbing series is 5.2-5.7, the horseshoe series is 5.7- 5.9, and the matrix determination is performed once every two weeks. EC values were adjusted once a week and EC values of substrates were determined once a fortnight. EC values from 4 weeks after planting to the end of planting should be: 250ppm N 30ppm P 350ppm K 150ppm Ca 70ppm Mg 50ppm S 2ppm Fe 1ppm Mg 0.4 ppm Zn 0.2 ppm Cu 0.4 ppm B 0.06 ppm Mo Drenching before transportation and irrigating roots with SubdueMaaxx if possible can reduce root diseases and prevent drying during transportation. To prevent salt accumulation, 15-20% exudate should be added to each application. Different fertilizers have different effects on soil pH and plant vitality, for example, 15-15-15 and 20-10-20 can be used for rapid growth and lower pH, 15-10-30 for slow growth and slightly lower pH, and 15-5-15 containing Ca and Mg for increasing pH. According to soil analysis, trace Mg and Ca without element were irrigated four times and one time was used. Fertilization arrangements: geranium should be grown on drier substrates initially for rapid rooting. Then enter the moist matrix (not too wet). Generally watering should be done when pot weight is reduced to half saturation water weight to ensure proper plant development, reduce growth by growing plants in dry substrates, and reduce branching and flowering vigor to maintain compact plant types. Fertilization arrangements should be adjusted with light, temperature, humidity and different developmental stages.

(3)Bud thinning and shaping: 3-4 weeks of bud thinning (depending on temperature and light) until pre-transport is important in order to achieve optimal branching and complete growth. If the flower buds are few, pinch them off; if they are large, remove them from the base of the pedicel. The bud thinning time should be determined according to the@#@136@#@time of the variety and should end 4 weeks before transportation. This will ensure that 50% of the flowers are open at the time of sale and that the plant has many large buds and can develop into flower clusters. For larger pots (6.5 inches or larger), pinch off one or two dominant branches (these branch controls are not ideal) 5 weeks before flowering. This is especially useful for varieties with uneven growth. Removing old and over-dense leaves from the center of the plant allows light to enter and increases the development of internal stems, reduces the incidence of gray mold, and makes the plant fuller at the time of sale.

(4)Spacing: In the process of growth, the pot spacing should be adjusted according to the plant type size, so that the leaves do not overlap each other.

(5)Pest control: before flowering, mainly thrips, aphids, red spiders.

(6)Diseases: mainly control bacterial blight, rot, gray mold, geranium rust.