Verbena hybrida Verbena Vivid®

Crop Culture Report: Verbena hybridaVerbena Vivid®

Recommended Containers: Container use would range from 4” to 12” pots. Use in combination baskets and containers.

Crop Planning from cell pack:

Pot Size Plants per pot (pp) Finish Time (weeks)
4” pot (10 cm) 1 pp 5 to 7
5” pot (12 cm) 1 pp 6 to 8
6” pot (15 cm) 2 pp 8 to 9

Temperature Requirement:
65° – 75°F (18° – 24°C) day
60° – 65°F (15° – 18°C) night.
Avoid extremes on both ends of the temperature spectrum. Acute warm conditions will dry plants quickly and possibly brown leaf margins. Severe cold with wet growing conditions, especially during dark and cloudy weather will damage roots and cause yellowing of foliage.

Media and pH Requirements: Use a sterile, well-drained soil mix with a pH range of 5.9 to 6.5. pH levels below 5.5 can create minor element toxicity. Avoid over watering plants or excessive drying since both conditions will damage fine root system. For Florida and west coast, outdoor production, ensure good aeration and drainage in the soil mix.

Fertilizer requirements: Heliotrope prefers light to moderate fertility levels. Once plants are established, feed at 150 to 200 ppm N using a balanced fertilizer. Alternate calcium nitrate and ammonium based feeds. Irrigation with clear water may be necessary to lower salt levels. For outdoor field production in Florida and on the west coast, a top dressing of Osmocote 18-6-12 or 14-14-14 may also be helpful.

Pinching requirements: A single pinch after plant is established.

Plant Growth Regulators: None required.

Disease and insects: Aphids, Whitefly and Spider Mite,
Botrytis, Root and stem rot. Heliotrope is vulnerable to stem rot diseases if stem is damaged. Extra care should be taken at transplanting time. Be cautious not to scratch or bend stems at transplanting. Apply preventative soil drench fungicides as specified on label for long-term control. Keep good air movement around plants to help eliminate Botrytis and possibly spray with preventative fungicide.