Pansy Cool Wave Pastel Mix Seedling Tray

For best results with Cool Wave Pastel Mix, grow one to three seedling plugs per 4-inch or gallon container or four seedling plugs per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.4-5.8 and EC of 1.2-1.5 mS/cm. Provide temperatures of 62-70 during the day and 45-55 at night for spring crops or 55-60 at night for fall crops. Use a nitrate form, low-phosphorus fertilizer at 175-225 ppm N once a week or 125 ppm N constant liquid feed. Before shipping, apply a slow-release Osmocote 15-9-12. This plant needs facultative long days but has only a minimal response to day-length changes. Don't pinch this plant, and only apply PGRs as necessary, more often for fall production. Use daminozide and chlormequat chloride and an early drench of paclobutrazol. Watch for aphids, root rot, powdery mildew, and botrytis. 

A mix of blue, white, and yellow flowers blooms prolifically from early spring through winter in warm regions, or until frost north of zone 5.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. 

While spring crops don't typically require PGRs, fall crops usually do. Apply daminozide or chlormequat chloride at 5000 ppm tank mix or 500 ppm spray. Additionally, for fall production, use a paclobutrazol drench at 0.1-0.125 ppm once foliage covers the soil. 

Scout for aphids as part of your commercial greenhouse's 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.

Watch for signs of root rot, powdery mildew, and botrytis. Use preventative measures in your greenhouse by watering at the base of each plant, allowing the soil to dry between waterings, sterilizing tools and surfaces, and using 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.

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.

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 to three seedling plugs per 4-inch or gallon container or four per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepots evenly spaced in the container.