Growing Temperature:
Rooting out: 65-72° F
Growing: 55-60° F
Holding Temperature:
40-50° F outdoors
Soil PH:
5.8-6.2
EC (What is EC?):
2.0-3.0 pour through method
Fertility:
Leucanthemum are moderate feeders. Apply a liquid feed program at a rate of 50-100 ppm nitrate or a controlled release fertilizer at a rate equivalent to 1-1.5 pounds of nitrogen per yard of growing medium.
Vernalization:
Provide 6-9 weeks of cold temperatures to ensure consistent flowering.
Pests & Diseases:
Aphids are the main insect pest; but whitefly, thrip, spider mite and four lined plant bug can also be problematic. Scout for gall and rogue out any infected plants.
Potting & Timing:
Start plants under cooler temperatures to encourage rooting. Small plugs are best planted in late summer for spring sales.
Moisture:
Maintain moderate moisture levels. Avoid overwatering, but plants grown too dry will often develop necrotic edges, be shorter and will have delayed flowering and fewer flowers.
Planting Level:
Place top of plug level with or just below the soil surface.
PGRs/Pinching:
If liners are becoming reproductive too quickly, pinch out the central flower stem/bud to encourage additional branching. Sumagic (Uniconazole) at 5 ppm or Daminozide (B-Nine/Dazide) at 2500 ppm are effective as sprays. To control flower stem height, begin applications when flower stems first begin to elongate.
Lighting:
Requires long days (16+ hours) for flowering.
Other Comments:
Cold vernalization adds to bud count, but warmer temperatures are needed to elongate flower stems.
