Introduction

Within the Autumn Bedding market we see a wide range of seed grown bedding plants potted from small plugs into modular packs and trays with individual cells, also pots up to 9cm. Short term cropping typically Pansy and Primula , 8-12 weeks and Longer term overwintered Pansy and Primula crops over 5-6 months.

 

Challenges

Even in Britain, summer temperatures can be high, leading to frequent irrigation cycles which will leach nutrients. Overwintered crops being kept frost free will have nutritional requirements but little irrigation requirements. Applying WSF in the autumn and winter with cooler nights leads to excess environmental humidity, ideal conditions for diseases such a Botrytis to develop.

Initially a low nutrient growing media is required to minimise the stress in high temperatures. encourage fast establishment and rooting of the plugs. Plants are potted weekly in batches and while supplementary WSF can be given, the various batches on the ground are at different stages with varying nutritional demands. Once overwintering crops start producing buds, any nutrient deficiencies in the older leaves are difficult to rectify.

ICL Recommendations

Using a controlled release fertilizer such as Osmocote Bloom is ideal, with its mini granules and High K formulation is perfectly suited for the optimum growth of bedding plants in packs. It promotes compact growth and flowering with excellent foliage colour. With the Osmocote Bloom incorporated into the growing media and providing nutrition, the plants can be grown with a drier irrigation regime reducing the need for plant growth regulators (PGR) and saving water.