Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 17

CALIBRACHOA CONTINUED
LIGHT/LIGHTING
Superbells should be grown in a high light area of the
greenhouse for optimal flowering and plant development.
Supernova liners have been treated for earlier flowering and
will not require additional grower lighting. If very early crops
are scheduled before the onset of 12-hour natural daylengths,
daylength extension lighting is helpful. Also, if growing from
104 Liners, additional lighting to 14 hours/day lighting may be
required for early spring finish dates. Additional PGR treatments
may also be required on non-Supernova treated plants.
GROWTH REGULATORS
As required, either a light spray of Sumagic at 5ppm - 10ppm or
Bonzi drench at 1ppm - 3ppm can be applied to control growth.
Treatments are usually made to smaller containers seven to
14 days after planting. Treatments to larger containers can be
made when a desired "pre-finished" size is attained (two to four
weeks before scheduled finish). Watch for the "softening" look
and lighter green appearance of new growth as an indication
for PGR treatment needs. In more northern areas, the lower
rates should be used as a starting base, while in more southern
areas, the higher rates will probably be needed. Other materials
such as Topflor® (flurprimidol) and Piccolo® (paclobutrazol) can
be used at rates that correspond with the degree of treatment
recommended for Sumagic or Bonzi. Repeated PGR treatments
can cause flowering delay.
Cooler growing temperatures, high light levels, proper spacing,
and drier growing practices can be very helpful at managing
plant size. Supernova treated plants should require fewer PGR
treatments than 104 Liners.
When using Supernova Liners, please refer to the
Supernova Culture Guide for specific PGR and growing
temperature recommendations. Florel® (ethephon) is not
recommended for use with Supernovas, except
possibly with Nemesia.

PGR requirements can vary greatly by variety, and the plants
should be grown, if possible, in the following groups for best
performance:
1) Blue, Grape Punch™, Morning Star™ and Pomegranate Punch™
are the most vigorous varieties and will require the most
PGR attention.
2) Blue Moon Punch™, Cherry Red, Coralberry Punch™, Double
Orchid, Double Ruby, Dreamsicle®, Evening Star™, Hollywood
Star™, Lemon Slice, Miss Lilac, Over Easy™, Pink, Plum, Red,
Saffron, Tangerine Punch™ and White have average vigor and
will need less PGR treatment.
3) Cardinal Star™, Cherry Star, Coralina, Holy Cow!™, Holy
Moly!®, Holy Smokes!®, Rising Star™, Strawberry Punch™,
Sweet Tart™, Tropical Sunrise, Yellow and Yellow Chiffon™ are
less vigorous and should require fewer PGR treatments.
PEST and DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Preventative treatments for Aphids are recommended, and
plants should also be scouted well for Thrips. Proper growing
environments and watering practices should be followed to
avoid Botrytis and various Stem or Root Rots. Superbells are
trialed and tested for tolerance to these diseases but in poor
conditions, diseases can develop. A preventative fungicide
drench at time of planting can be considered.
Avoid the use of fludioxonil-based fungicides on
Calibrachoa (such as Medallion®, Palladium™, or
Hurricane®), as they can cause delayed phytotoxic
response 10 - 14 days after treatment.
OUTDOOR GROWING SCHEDULE
Superbells Calibrachoa can be grown outdoors in the earliest
spring conditions (approximately frost to 25 F, or early- to midApril in Michigan), if frost protection is provided. If no frost
protection is provided, they can be moved outdoors during the
second earliest spring conditions (approximately frost to 28 F,
or mid- to late April in Michigan).

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.

Four Star Culture Guide - 2019

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