New Guinea Impatiens Florific Red Seedling Tray

For best results with Florific Red seedling plugs, plant one per 1801-cell or 4-inch container, one to two in 8-inch containers, or three to five per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.4, EC of 1.0-1.5 mS/cm, and light feed (100-150 ppm N) of a nitrate-based fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 12-2-13, 15-5-15, or 17-5-17. Avoid salt buildup with a clear water leach once every one or two weeks, and regularly check the media EC level.

Provide light at 2,500-4,500 fc. In higher light intensity, provide shade to avoid bud death, small flowers, and scorched foliage. This plant is day-neutral.

Provide temperatures of 70-85 daytime, and 65-70 nighttime, noting that higher average daily temperatures lead to shorter finishing times.

Maintain slightly moist media but don't overwater, which leads to stretching and fewer flowers. This plant does best with 40-50% humidity, no pinching, and no PGRs. In 1801 packs or 4-inch containers, it may need one or two sprays of paclobutrazol.

Watch for botrytis, pythium, rhizoctonia, TSWV, INSV, fungus gnats, spider mites, and thrips. 

Large, flat red flowers bloom atop the foliage from mid-spring through summer and into fall in mild climates.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. We recommend spacing 4-inch containers 7" on center and 10-inch containers 18" on center. 

This plant doesn't typically require PGRs. For finishing in cell packs or 4-inch containers or under low light conditions, you may use two foliar sprays of paclobutrazol at 1-3 ppm. With proper cultural practices and sufficient light and irrigation, this plant shouldn't need PGRs.

Scout for fungus gnats, spider mites, and thrips as part of your greenhouse's Integrated Pest Management program. The best method of treatment for pests is prevention. 

Fungus Gnats are small, dark flies that lay eggs in damp soil where larvae feed on plant roots, causing damage and death. Watch for adult gnats flying around the plants and check for larvae in the soil. Prevent infestations by allowing the soil to dry between waterings and controlling humidity in the greenhouse. Fungus Gnats thrive in moist conditions. Catch adult gnats with sticky traps to prevent them from laying eggs. Use beneficial nematodes or apply Bacillus thuringiensis.

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.

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.

Watch for signs of botrytis, pythium, rhizoctonia, TSWV, and INSV among Florific Red in your commercial greenhouse. Take preventative measures against disease as part of an Integrated Pest Management plan. Water at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Provide good airflow and space containers so air and sunlight can reach the soil level of each plant. Use sanitary practices and clean growing media. 

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.

Pythium and Rhizoctonia are fungal diseases that cause 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.

TSWV (Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus) is a common virus that stunts growth and causes yellowed, wilting foliage. Grow resistant varieties, remove and destroy infected plants, and control thrips populations that spread the virus.

INSV (Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus) is a common plant virus that causes necrotic spots, rings, and line patterns on foliage along with stunted growth and wilting. Prevent INSV by properly sanitizing tools, equipment, and surfaces, using disease-free seedlings and cuttings, and monitoring thrips and mites which vector the virus. Detect and isolate infected plants early to prevent spread, and implement crop rotations and insecticides as needed. 

We recommend using one seedling plug per 1801-cell or 4-inch container, one or two per gallon or 8-inch container, and three to five per 10-inch basket. Completely bury the ellepots evenly spaced or centered in the containers. Gallon and 8-inch containers finish in 8-13 weeks. Cellpacks finish in 7-12 weeks.