Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 66

DIANTHUS
Fruit Punch®

ZONE HARDINESS 4 - 9
NUTRITION
pH: 6.0 - 6.5
EC: (2:1 extraction method) 0.6 - 1.2
Moderate fertilization is adequate.
TEMPERATURE for forcing from liners
Forcing/Growing on: 60 F Night - 65 F Day
Holding: 50 F Night - 55 F Day
Once plants reach a saleable size, they can be moved to an
open environment with good air movement.
WATERING
Keep the soil evenly moist during all stages of growing.
Dianthus requires average to moderate amounts of irrigation,
as they do not tolerate consistently wet or overly dry growing
conditions.
TIMING
Supernova® 28 Liner to Trade Gallon/True Gallon: 7 - 9
weeks with one plug per container. A typical planting date
for spring forcing would be Week 10 for finishing in Week 18.
If purchased in the spring, our liners have been vernalized for
proper flowering.
104 Liner to Quart: 7 - 8 weeks with one plug per container.
A typical planting date for spring forcing would be Week 10 for
finishing in Week 18. If purchased in the spring, our liners have
been vernalized for proper flowering. Liners purchased in late
spring can also produce a nice summer crop. Planting a 104
Liner into a gallon and bulking in the fall is also a great way to
finish a high-quality spring crop.
VERNALIZATION
Vernalization is required for the most prolific and uniform
flowering.
PLANTING
Dianthus perform best when planted in a well-drained, porous
growing medium. Avoid planting Dianthus too deeply, or crop
variability and/or losses from crown rots are likely to occur.

When growing perennials, we recommend using an aged
or composted pine bark-based media as opposed to annual
growing mixes that traditionally tend to be heavier in peat. Bark
adds weight and stability to the growing mix and tends not to
compress and shrink over time, thus adding the longevity that
can be needed on long-term crops such as perennials.
LIGHT/LIGHTING
Dianthus are facultative (beneficial) long-day plants and flower
induction occurs more rapidly under long days. Additionally,
they also enjoy high light conditions.
TRIMMING/PINCHING
Generally, Dianthus are naturally compact and don't require
trimming. Light trimming and shaping of spent flowers can be
done to reflush color for summer sales.
GROWTH REGULATORS
The Fruit Punch® series of Dianthus retain a compact habit
throughout production and do not require plant growth
regulators. Effective growth regulators include the tank mixes
of B-Nine® (daminozide) at 2,000ppm + Cycocel® (chlormequat)
1,000ppm, or B-Nine at 2,000ppm + Sumagic® (uniconazole) at
3ppm.
PEST and DISEASE MANAGEMENT
A good routine scouting program is recommended to ensure
that Aphids, Cabbage Loopers, Caterpillars, Fungus Gnats,
Spider Mites, Thrips, and other greenhouse pests do not cause
crop loss. Thrips can sometimes be a problem when Dianthus
comes into full bloom. Scout for foliar diseases to prevent
Botrytis, Crown and Root Rots. Also, watch for INSV, Leaf
Spots and Rust.
OTHER TIPS
When growing larger containers, it is best to bulk them in the
fall the year before they are to be sold.
Leaf tip burn commonly occurs due to water stress and/or high
EC levels.

Four Star Greenhouse I www.pwfourstar.com I 734-654-6420
66

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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