Soon it will be time to start your spring crops and time to think about
what procedures that will help you be successful.

Containers and Media:
Transplant 288 plugs into jumbo 606 cell paks - One tray will transplant to
8 flats (using 606 inserts)
Transplant rooted cuttings into 4" containers
* if you want to do construct hanging baskets of impatiens, petunia, etc -
 let plugs root out in above container and establish good root system then
transplant into baskets at least 4 weeks before sale

606 Jumbo Insert  (100 per case) with TFI Web flats (tray that holds the
insert)
one 3 cu ft bag  will fill 18 flats

 4" Green Kord Pots  -one 3 cuft bag fills 170 pots

Media Recommendations:
Fafard 3-B Mix  is a good soil mix due to its ability to drain well (Metro
360 and Fafard 4P are also recommended)


Fertilizers: First rule - Don't use 20-20-20 for any of your spring crops.
Use 20-10-20 peat-lite special,15-16-17, or calcium nitrate in combination
with 20-10-20.
All 20-20-20  fertilizers contain high percentages of ammonium nitrate;
this type of nitrogen causes plant s to stretch or bum in winter.
The 150 ppm rate can be used for bedding plants or any type of impatiens (
New Guinea or double), and 150 ppm plus Osmocote for the heavier feeding
crops generally found in hanging baskets and  larger pots.

Minimum Temperature -
You are growing many different types of plants in one greenhouse.  Petunias
prefer 55-60 degree temperatures.  Vinca prefers 65 degrees.   I like a
night time temperature of 62 degrees.  Warmer night time temperatures will
cause your bedding plants to stretch.

Geraniums from cuttings -  Plant one cutting per 4 or 6 inch pot, or three
cuttings per 10" basket.  Pinch the plants by removing the top vegetative
bud about 2-3 weeks after planting.  Geraniums are heavy feeders and need
about 250 ppm of constant feed or you may find it more convenient to feed
at 150 ppm and topdress 14-14-14 Osmocote (1 teaspoon for 4 & 6 inch pots
and 1 tablespoon for 10" basket).  Many varieties of geraniums benefit from
a foliar spray of Cycocel, a growth regulator.  The rate is 1000 ppm or 1
ounce per gallon of water.  Water the plants well and allow the foliage to
dry before applying the Cycocel.  Avoid watering for the day following
application. Most geranium varieties come from Ogelvee, Fisher, or
Americana.  Generally speaking, most Ogelvee varieties are larger growing,
better suited to 6 inch pots and hanging baskets, and require a growth
regulator.  The other two companies produce compact varieties and may not
need a regulator.  Check the  websites of each company for information on
the varieties you are growing before deciding whether or not to use the
regulator.  Finally, geraniums are susceptible to botrytis.  You can avoid
many problems by watering in the morning on sunny days.  Don't water late
in the day or on cloudy days. Avoid wetting the foliage. Remove all flower
buds until the plants are near ready to sell.  Allowing old flowers to
shatter and drop down on the foliage will lead to botrytis problems.

Wave type petunias - There are many different varieties of wave type
petunias and they differ from a regular petunia in two major ways. First,
they more expensive and should only be planted in larger pots or baskets
that can be sold for a premium price  Plant one plant in a 4 inch or 6 inch
pot, and three plants in a 10 inch basket.  The second difference is in
fertilizer rates.  Waves are heavy feeders and will benefit from 150 ppm
plus Osmocote topdressed on the pot. These plants are fast growers and will
finish from a plug in 4-6 weeks.  If the plants get too large, cut them
back and they be ready to sell quickly.

Bedding plants form seeds - I hope most of your bedding plant crop is grown
from plugs.  They produce a more uniform crop and represent industry
standards for producing bedding plants.  It is a good idea to do some
plants from seed to demonstrate sexual propagation.  I suggest growing
cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, marigolds, and zinnias.  All of these are easy
and fast to grow from seed.  The plants can be grown in about 6-8 weeks
from germination.  If you have a specific date for your plant sell, count
back 6-8 weeks from the date to determine when to plant your seeds.

Pesticide licenses - If you order pesticides from a nursery supply company,
they will ask for a copy of your pesticide license.  Generally speaking, if
the pesticide is not available over the counter at the local garden center,
you need a pesticide license to purchase and use it.   Teachers only need a
private pesticide license for spraying on campus.  This can be acquired by
visiting your Extension Agent, watching a video tape about pesticides, and
taking a simple 20 question test.

Pesticides:
1. Fungicide: Terracolor or Subdue
after your plants have been transplanted and growing for a week or two you
need to drench their soil with fungicide

2. Insecticides:
Whitefly Control
Marathon - Good to excellent
Distance - Excellent control – IGR
Endeavor - Good control
Tristar - similar to Marathon
Flagship - similar to Marathon
Pedestal – IGR
Sanmite – good control
Azadiration compounds – Botanical IGR
Beaveria bassiana – Bio Insecticide

Thrips
Avid
Measurol – good activity
Conserve – best
Pedestal – Moderate Activity

Leafminer
Avid
Citation
Conseerve
Flagshiip
Pedestal

Madiera Mealybugs
Orthene – good
Talstar –good activity
Enstar – IGR good activity
Pedestal – Moderate
Soap – moderate

Spider Mites
Tetrasan
Pylon
Vendex
Kelthane
Avid – effective on lewis mite

Fungus Gnat
All IGRs are effective


IGR = Insect growth regulator




Dr. Teri Hamlin
North Region Agriculture Education
Georgia Department of Education
Four Towers, University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia  30602