PLECTRANTHUS LION® SERIES VEGETATIVE CULTURE SHEET

The Lion® series’ strong basal branching allows for uniform production in small to large pots. Excellent presentation in both mono pots and combinations. Both the pink and blue will perform uniformly for bloom initiation.

Garden Height: 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) Garden Width: 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm)

Crop planning from cell packs:
Pot size: Plants per pot (pp) Crop Time (weeks)
4.5” (11 cm) 1 pp 7 to 8
6” (15 cm) 1 pp 8 to 9
8” (20 cm) 2 pp 8 to 10
10” (25 cm) 4 pp 8 to 10

Temperature: 74°-78°F (23°-25°C) minimum day and 58° – 62° nights (14° – 17°C) are optimum.

Media & pH: Soil should be kept at moderate to moist condition. Irrigate in the mornings and vent to help control humidity for disease control also. When temperatures are cool and light levels are diminished, the water requirement is reduced so let the soil dry before irrigating. 5.8 to 6.2 is a proper pH.

Fertilizer Requirements: 100 to 150 ppm N using a balanced feed to maintain color of foliage. Low Ammonium feeds will help eliminates stretch and poor growth under lower light conditions. Include Micro element source as part of fertilizer solution. Limiting the amount of feed applied will eliminate salt build-up and possible damage to roots. EC at 0.8 to 1.2 mmhos is ideal.

Pinching Requirement: Pinch at transplant or 5 days after transplanting leaving three or four nodes below pinch. If you wish a taller plant at finish, pinch higher up the stem removing only the meristem (soft pinch). One pinch is all that is recommended.

Light: Medium to high. Slight shading under extreme heat conditions in the greenhouses will create quality plants for finish. The Lion® series requires short days for flower initiation. Southern climates can easily achieve finished plants naturally from January to March. Northern climates may use black cloth or naturally mid to late fall.

Growth Regulators: B-Nine® at 1500ppm and Cycocel at 750ppm as a tank mix is the most effective height and branching control. The Lion® series is naturally more compact and free branching, so one application is al that is recommended.

Pests/Disease: Whitefly, cut worms and Aphids can be the most intrusive pests.
Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Phytophthora are of primary concern. Preventative drenches /sprays are recommended for crop.