Heuchera Melting Fire Seedling Tray

For best results with Melting Fire, grow one seedling plug per 4-inch or one to three per 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-6.2, EC of 1.2-1.4 mS/cm, and medium feed (175-225 ppm N). Provide temperatures of 60-68 daytime and 58-60 nighttime. This plant is day neutral and doesn't require vernalization. Don't pinch or use PGRs. Watch for leaf nematodes, powdery mildew, botrytis, leaf spot, rust, and root rot.

Tiny white flowers bloom on tall stalks in spring.

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- or 6-inch containers of Melting Fire seedling plugs 8-10" on center.

Prevent stretching by providing consistent, moderate water and avoiding excess nitrogen and ammonium. Don't pinch or use PGRs.

Scout for leaf nematodes as part of your Integrated Pest Management program. Prevention is the best method for controlling pest infestations.

Leaf Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that eat plant foliage, causing discoloration and stunted growth. Once they establish themselves in your commercial greenhouse, they are challenging to manage. While they are too small to see without a microscope, scout for signs of infestation. Use preventative methods, including sanitation, to prevent introducing nematodes to the greenhouse and spreading them. Biological controls like beneficial nematodes and fungi can be effective at reducing infestations. While chemical pesticides can work against leaf nematodes, use them as a last resort. 

Watch for signs of powdery mildew, botrytis, leaf spot, and root rot. Implement an Integrated Pest Management plan in your commercial greenhouse and take preventative measures against diseases. Water at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Provide good airflow in your greenhouse, and space plants to allow circulation and sunlight to the base of each plant.

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that thrives in humid conditions, appearing as a white or gray coating on foliage and flowers. Provide good airflow in your greenhouse. We recommend horizontal airflow fans to help control humidity levels alongside a dehumidifier or manual venting. Remove and destroy infected plants and apply fungicides as needed or preventatively. Look for the active ingredients myclobutanil, trifloxystrobin, or potassium bicarbonate to combat Powdery Mildew threatening your seedling plugs.

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.

Bacterial Leaf Spot results from a bacterial pathogen and causes water-soaked yellow or brown lesions on foliage. These may merge and cause leaves to turn yellow and drop. Prevent bacterial leaf spot by practicing sanitation and hygiene, watering at the base of each plant, and space plants for adequate circulation and light penetration. At the first signs of infection, remove the affected leaves and treat the remaining plants with a copper-based fungicide like hydroxide, sulfate, oxychloride, or octanoate. Use fungicides carefully according to the label's instructions, and be aware that applying copper-based fungicides at high rates or during hot, dry weather can lead to phytotoxicity.

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 you will avoid most root rot problems 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 4-inch or one to three per 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil and plant the ellepot evenly with the growing medium centered or evenly spaced in the container.