Bedding Plant Production

Competencies: 10.00-13.00

Bedding Plant Production Categories (Click to view) Begonias Geraniums Impatiens Marigolds Pansies Petunias

Potential Problems Media Transplanting

Begonias Grow 6”-12” high

with pink, red, or white flowers

Spaced 6”-10” apart and need direct sunlight

May be propagated from seeds or cuttings and transplanted

Begonias Time from seeding to market in packs is

about 14 weeks (16 weeks in pots) Small seeds should be lightly pressed into

surface of germinating medium Germination requires light and 65-70

degree F medium temperature Can be propagated by stem cuttings Plants do well in full sun to shade

Geraniums Grow 12”-18” Dark green leaves are

rounded with scalloped edges

Flowers are red, white, or pink and grow on a stem

Flowers have many petals in a cluster shaped like a ball

Geraniums About 2/3 of all geraniums sold are red Direct sunlight is needed 10”-12” spacing is needed May be propagated from seeds or cuttings

and transplanted

Geraniums Time from seeding to market in packs is

about 14 weeks (16 weeks in pots) Seeds are large and have to be scarified

because of hard seed coats Seed suppliers usually scarify before

packing for sale. Seeds should be coved with 1/8 inch of medium

Medium should be about 75 degrees F.

Impatiens Grow 6”-18” high

and have succulent stems

Lance shaped leaves Flower colors include

pink, lavender, white, red, purple, salmon, and coral.

Impatiens Flowers are small and round with five

petals One flower petal is shaped like a tube that

protrudes from the underside of the flower Spaced 12”-18” and needs partial sun or

shade May be propagated from seeds or cuttings

Impatiens Time from seeding to market in packs is

about 8 weeks Seeds should be placed on surface of

medium and covered lightly Germination requires light and temperature

of 60-70 degrees F Have been the number one bedding crop

for many years Grow well in shade

Marigolds Grow from 6” to 4’

tall Orange or yellow

flowers have a pungent aroma

Spaced 6”-12” apart and grow best in full sunlight

Grown from seeds and transplanted

Marigolds Time from seeding to market in packs is

about 9 weeks (10 weeks in pots) Seeds should be covered by ¼” of

germinating medium Medium should be 70-75 degrees F Outdoor plants should grow in full sun for

best quality Very few cultural problems

Pansies Grow from 6-8” tall Moon-faced flowers in

many colors (blue, purple, yellow, white, pink, red)

Spaced 6-8” in full sun Grown from seeds and

transplanted Cool-season bedding

plant

Pansies Time from seeding to market in packs is

about 12 weeks (13 weeks in pots) Seeds should be planted on surface of

medium and covered with paper to keep dark

Germination medium should be 70 degrees Fahrenheit

Grow in full sun

Petunias Grow from 6”-18”

tall Flowers have a tube-

shaped base Colors include red,

pink, white, blue, and pastels

Spaced 10”-12” Grown from seeds

and transplanted

Petunias Time from seeding to market in packs is about 10

weeks (11 weeks in pots) Sow seeds on surface of medium Seeds are very small (285,000 per ounce) Need light and 70-80 degrees F germinating

medium temperature Many different types and colors One of top five annuals in the U.S. for over 100

years

Potential Problems (Click to view) Cultural Disorders

• Germination Problems• Fertilization Problems• Uneven growth• Tall and spindly growth

Diseases• Seedlings falling over• Lower leaves brown, rotting, and drying

Insects• Plants missing• Holes in leaves or plant parts missing

Cultural-Germination Problems Causes

Improper temperatures Over-watering or underwatering Chemical residues in medium Seed planting depth Low quality seeds

Cultural-Germination Problems Correction or Prevention

Use high-quality seeds Plant at proper depth Use medium with no chemical residues Maintain proper temperatures Maintain proper moisture levels

Cultural-Fertilization Problems Causes

Lack of nutrients Root injury Improper pH of

medium Excessive

fertilization

Manganese Deficiency

Cultural-Fertilization Problems Correction or Prevention

Test soil or media Apply correct amounts and kinds of nutrients Use pH correcting materials

Cultural-Uneven Growth Causes

Poor mixing of medium Uneven moisture levels Unlevel flats Poor grading of seedlings

Cultural-Uneven Growth Correction or Prevention

Proper mixing of media Even watering Grading seedlings by size and quality Placing flats level

Cultural-Tall and Spindly Growth Causes

Too much nitrogen fertilizer Overwatering Low light intensity (too much shade) High temperatures

Cultural-Tall and Spindly Growth Correction or Prevention

Use the correct amount of nitrogen Reduce frequency of watering Lower temperature Provide more light Use growth retardant such as B-Nine SP

Diseases-Seedlings Falling Over Causes

Stem rot Damping-off

Diseases-Seedlings Falling Over Correction or Prevention

Use sterilized media Apply fungicides Improve air circulation around plants

Diseases-Brown, rotting leaves Causes

Botrytis

Diseases-Brown, rotting leaves Correction or Prevention

Increase air temperature Increase air circulation around plants Use proper fungicide

Insects-Plants Missing Causes

Slugs Snails Cockroaches

Insects-Plants Missing Correction or

Prevention Use baits and

pesticides

Insects-Holes in Leaves Causes

Aphids Mealy Bugs Scale Insects Thrips Whiteflies Flea beetles Fungus Gnats

Leaf miners Cutworms Caterpillars

Insects-Holes in Leaves Correction or

Prevention Use of

recommended pesticides to control insects

Bedding Plant Media Media-materials used to start and grow

plants Soil Inorganic materials Commercially prepared mixes

Soil Soil must be mixed with other materials

such as peat moss to add organic matter and improve aeration and drainage.

Inorganic Materials Improve aeration and drainage

Sand-finely ground stone Gravel Perlite

Expanded volcanic rock Neutral pH 7.0-7.5 sterile

Vermiculite Expanded mica sterile

Commercially Prepared Mixes Sterile (no insects, weeds, or diseases)

Jiffy-Mix Redi-Earth Pro-Mix Sunshine Mix Metro Mix Other brands also available

Containers Flat-plastic tray used for planting seeds Cell packs-several small cell-like pots of

plastic molded together used for planting one or two seeds per cell Sold without transplanting to another

container Peat pots can be planted directly in the soil Jiffy 7 pellet can be planted directly in the

soil

Containers Plastic pots of various sizes and shapes Clay pots of various sizes and shapes Styrofoam pots of various sizes Hanging baskets Standard pot is the same width at the top as

it is high Azalea pot is ¾ as high as its top diameter

or width

Transplanting Instructions1. Seedlings should have true leaves not just

seed leaves or cotyledons before being transplanted. Waiting too long to transplant causes shock to transplanted seedlings.

Transplanting Instructions2. Hold plants by their leaves. Do not hold

by the stem because a badly bruised stem will cause the seedling to die.

3. The media may need to be loosened with a pot label to keep from breaking stem and roots. Do not shake medium off roots.

Transplanting Instructions4. Use a dibble or other

means to make a hole for the transplanting seedling.

Transplanting Instructions5. Plant seedling in the media in the new

container slightly deeper than it grew in the flat and gently press media around roots.

Transplanting Instructions6. Water gently to settle

media around roots.

Transplanting Instructions7. Keep moist for a few days to prevent

wilting and dying.

8. Grow and harden-off before selling.