When cuttings arrive, open boxes immediately and place cuttings in cooler (40ºF) or under mist.
Planting:
Plant into pre-wetted soil or Oasis media, water-in and mist immediately, place under 1,000-2,000 f.c. of light. During the first three days, mist cuttings intermittently 24 hours per day as needed to maintain turgidity of cuttings; foliage should be kept constantly moist. Avoid stress. Maintain root-zone temperature of at least 68ºF for the first 16 days after planting.
Days 4 thru 6, mist sun-up to sundown. Foliage should be barely dry before misting. Begin fertilizing on day 5 at 150 ppm N.
Sometime between days 7 and 9, roots should be visible. Foliage should show minimal amount of stress between mists.
Days 10 thru 12, mist as needed to reduce stress - approximately every 45 minutes to 1 hour on a sunny day. Soil temperature should remain at least at 68ºF.
Days 13 to 15, plants should be lightly rooted. If so, you may turn off the mist.
Disease/Insect Control:
Remember, systemic plant bacterial, fungal and viral diseases are not airborne. They must be transmitted by people, insects, nematodes, soil or water. Botrytis can be a major problem in Geranium production. Keep all plants clean and free of bloom, except when finishing. Use proper ventilation and preventative fungicides.
Sanitize everything that comes in contact with the Geraniums.
Do not mix CVI® Geraniums with crops that have not been tested for bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Wear clean clothes before handling Geraniums.
Wash hands with soap and water before handling Geraniums.
Incorporate a scouting and monitoring program for insect control; spray as needed.
Do not handle tobacco products when working with Geraniums.
Be sure to scrub with soap and water after handling tobacco and before entering greenhouse.
We offer product forms to fit every grower: unrooted, callused and rooted, all competitively priced. With rapidly changing greenhouse economics, selecting the right form is vital to improving your bottom line. Rooted cuttings require less time in the greenhouse, and require less energy. Unrooted cuttings are for those growers who prefer to root their own cuttings.