Dianthus Ideal Select Mix Seedling Tray

For best results with Ideal Select Mix seedling plugs, plant one per 1801 cell or 4-inch container or three per gallon container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-6.2, EC of 1.5-2.0 mS/cm, and light feed (100-175 ppm N). Maintain temperatures of 60-72 daytime and 50-60 nighttime and provide long days. Be sure your fertilizer offers adequate calcium; a calcium-based feed at 15-5-15 works well. Don't pinch but use paclobutrazol to control growth if needed. Watch for aphids, thrips, spider mites, botrytis, fusarium wilt, and pythium root rot. 

A variety of pink, red, and white flowers bloom from spring through fall.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. We recommend 8-10" on center for Ideal Select Mix. Adjust spacing in your greenhouse as needed, allowing plants room to grow without being overcrowded.

Use cultural practices, including proper light and fertilizer, to help Dianthus maintain a compact habit. Apply paclobutrazol spray if needed at 15-20 ppm. 

Scout for aphids, thrips, and spider mites as part of your Integrated Pest Management program. 

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.

Thrips are tiny insects that eat plant tissue and can transmit viruses. Watch for silvery-white streaks or black spots on foliage and distorted growth. Use natural predators (like predatory mites), insecticidal soap, neem oil, and sticky traps to control infestations and prevent spread.

Spider Mites are tiny pests that cause stippling, yellowing, and webbing on foliage by feeding on plant sap. They flourish in warm, dry environments. Use correct water and fertilizing practices; over-fertilizing can attract spider mites. Proper humidity levels, predatory mites or ladybugs, and insecticidal soaps or oils may prevent or address a spider mite infestation.

Watch for signs of botrytis, fusarium wilt, and pythium root rot among Dianthus seedling plugs. Prevention is the best treatment for diseases in your commercial greenhouse. Practice good sanitization, water at the base of each plant, allow the soil to dry between waterings, and provide good airflow in your greenhouse. 

Botrytis is a common fungal disease that causes brown spots on stems, leaves, and flowers. Remove and destroy affected plants, maintain appropriate humidity levels, and apply fungicides with boscalid, fenhexamid, or iprodione to control the spread. Water plants in the morning and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Fusarium Wilt is a fungal disease that causes leaves to wilt and turn yellow. Use clean growing media and sterilize pots, trays, and tools before transplanting seedling plugs. Inspect plants regularly for signs of disease, checking roots and stems for discoloration and wilting. Remove and destroy infected plants to prevent the spread of fusarium fungus.

Pythium is a fungal disease that causes stunted growth, yellowed leaves, and plant death by eating away at the plant's roots. Use well-draining planting media and provide good airflow and spacing in your greenhouse. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings and apply fungicides with active ingredients abamectin, spinosad, or imidacloprid to combat these diseases. Root Rot occurs in poorly drained or overly wet soil which becomes the host for several types of fungi. It causes stunted growth, wilting, and root system decay. Prevention is the best treatment and most root rot problems can be avoided by using clean, well-draining media, appropriate containers, and good watering practices for finishing seedling plugs. Inspect plants for signs of disease regularly. Repot infected plants in well-draining soil, adjust your watering schedule, provide better airflow, and use a fungicide if needed.

We recommend planting one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container. Plant three seedling plugs per gallon container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepots centered or evenly spaced in the containers.