Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 100

GRASSES

Warm Annual
ZONE HARDINESS
9 - 11 Graceful Grasses® Baby Tut®, King Tut®
and Prince Tut™ Cyperus; 'Fireworks,' Purple Fountain Grass,
Red Riding Hood, 'Sky Rocket,' and Vertigo® Pennisetum
NUTRITION
pH: 5.8 - 6.5
EC: (2:1 extraction method) 0.9 - 1.5
Moderate fertilization is recommended. 100ppm - 200ppm N
TEMPERATURE
Forcing/Growing on: 65 Night - 75 F Day (Pennisetum likes it
warm, so closer to 72 - 75 F Day/Night)
Holding: 60 Night - 65 F Day (Baby Tut can take 50 - 55
degrees)
WATERING
Water in the planted containers at time of transplant, then
grow on the evenly moist side to encourage root development
and discourage Root Rot, but do not allow plants to wilt. Keep
the soil evenly moist. Dry down will cause the tips to burn on
all these varieties. When this happens, the only cure is a trim,
which can dramatically increase the overall crop time.
TIMING
Pennisetum Supernova® 28 Liner to Trade Gallon/True
Gallon/Combination: 7 - 8 weeks with one plug. A typical
planting date for spring forcing would be Week 8 for finishing
in Weeks 18 - 20. Summer growing can be planned with a sixweek grow time. Supernova 28s are strongly recommended for
combination planting if planting in a separate small pot prior is
not an option.
Pennisetum 50 Liner to Trade Gallon or Gallon: For spring
growing, allow 8 - 10 weeks with one plug. A typical planting
date for spring forcing would be Week 8 for finishing in Week
18. In the summer, eight weeks will be sufficient.

Pennisetum 50 Liner to Quart: For spring growing, allow
7 - 9 weeks with one plug per container. A typical planting date
for spring forcing would be Week 11 for finishing in Week 20. In
the summer, seven weeks will be sufficient, 1 - 2 weeks less
for Vertigo®.
Cyperus 104 Liner to Trade Gallon/Gallon: 7 - 8 weeks
Cyperus 104 Liner to Quart: 6 - 7 weeks
Cyperus 104 Liner to Combinations: 7 - 8 weeks;
7 weeks on 12" or smaller; 8 weeks on 13" or larger.
One week of crop time can be removed from production in the
summer.
PLANTING
Liners should always be planted even to the soil line of the plug.
This grouping of grasses should NEVER appear to be dormant or
even semi-dormant at the time of arrival. If you think they have
a dormant look to them, contact your broker immediately with
photos. This could be an indication of cold damage. Liners should
be planted immediately upon receipt. If holding of the liners is
absolutely needed, no lower than 60 degrees should be used.
LIGHT/LIGHTING
During growing, plants should be given as much light as
possible. Plants should be spaced so they do not shade each
other. It is normal for Pennisetum to have a lighter color in the
darker growing months, as opposed to a darker coloration that
is observed in late spring and summer.
TRIMMING/PINCHING
Trimming should be avoided on grasses except upon receiving
and transplanting. Once trimmed, they will always have the old
trimmed leaves in place and this will adversely affect the look
on the retail bench. Grow these in the proper environment and
trimming should not be needed. If trimming is necessary, they
can be cut halfway back in the spring for reflushing for summer
or fall sales. This will increase the expected finish time quite
a bit. Moving these plants to the recommended cooler holding
area with good air movement is important in finishing and
holding a quality crop.

Four Star Greenhouse I www.pwfourstar.com I 734-654-6420
100

The rates and chemicals listed are based on our southeast Michigan growing conditions, and are not recommended for nationwide application.
Please adjust the rates and spray applications to your location and facility.

http://www.pwfourstar.com

Four Star Culture Guide - 2019

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