Pentas lanceolata Graffiti Bright Red

Culture guide

Crop Time: Spring: 13-16 weeks

Height: Approx. 30cm

Width: Approx. 28cm

Exposure: Sun

Best Uses: Bedding, Landscape, Pot Plant

Usage
Pots, Mixed Containers and Landscape

Sow time
January-April

Sowing method
1 pellet per plug. No cover is necessary.

Germination
Maintain optimal conditions for seedling development beginning on the day of sowing until radical emergence. Expect radical emergence in 7-10 days. Humidity should be between 95-100% until day 10; then reduce to 40-60%.

Growing on
Day neutral plant, will flower regardless of day length. Very responsive to irradiance and additional lighting. Providing a 14-16 hrs. day length, especially in the seedling stages, will shorten the crop significantly. In addition, growing at warmer temperatures will shorten the crop time.

Media
Plug culture: pH 6.2-6.5 Starting with the proper pH of the media will improve the performance of the seedlings. Pentas can exhibit iron toxicity at lower pH levels, below 5.5. EC < 0.5. Begin with a saturated (5) for the first 10 days. On day 11 begin to lower the moisture slightly going to a medium (4). Maintain a consistent moisture level without over saturating the media.

Growing on: pH 6.2-6.5 continue to monitor the pH to make sure that it stays above 6.0. EC 1.0-1.2. Alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2.

Temperature
23-26 °C. Once germination is completed with fully expanded cotyledons, on day 14 the temperature can be lowered slightly to 18-20 °C during nights and 22-23 °C during days. Water trays using tempered water with a minimum temperature of 18 °C. Warmer temperatures will benefit and shorten the finish time.

Fertilization
Maintain an EC < 0.75. At this stage fertilized water should not exceed an EC of 0.5. Begin feeding on day 10 with 50 ppm 14-2-14, 14-4-14 or 17-5-17. After transplanting, under low light conditions fertilize with a 14-4-14 fertilizer at 100-150 ppm and under high light conditions use a 17-5-17 fertilizer at 100-150 ppm. Watch for calcium and magnesium deficiencies which can cause stunted plants.

Tip
Graffiti® is the earliest, most uniform and compact Pentas series on the market. It has the broadest color range and garden performance that lives up to the Graffiti® brand name growers and landscapers trust.

Stage I Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.

The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.