Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 68

HOSTA

Shadowland®
ZONE HARDINESS 3 - 9
NUTRITION
pH: 5.8 - 6.5
EC: (2:1 extraction method) 0.6 - 0.9
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
Plants can be moved outside under a shade cloth or lath house
once the danger of frost has passed. Care should be taken to
avoid frost. An open environment with good air movement
will often strengthen the stems, bring out the richness of the
coloration and produce a better finished product.
WATERING
Keep the soil evenly moist during all stages of growing. It's
best to water as early in the day as possible to avoid edge burn
caused by high light and salts burning the edge of the foliage.
TIMING
Supernova® 28 Liner to Trade Gallon/True Gallon: 8 - 10
weeks with one plug per container. A typical planting date
for spring forcing would be Week 12 for finishing in Week
20. However, root development as well as proper vegetative
growth require long days, and forcing gallons in the spring from
liners doesn't produce as high of a quality finished product as
does the typical summer bulk and vernalization model.
50 Liner to Quart: 8 - 10 weeks with one plug per container.
A typical planting date for spring forcing would be Week 12
for finishing in Week 20. However, root development as well
as proper vegetative growth require long days, and forcing
gallons in the spring from liners doesn't produce as high of a
quality finished product as does the typical summer bulk and
vernalization model. Additionally, if planting Standard 50 liners
into a gallon is desired, it's best to do a spring planting and
plan on a traditional summer bulk and vernalization schedule.
This requires almost a full year in production to reach optimal
finished standards.

VERNALIZATION
If growing for foliage interest alone, vernalization should not be
needed. If flowers are required, a typical perennial fall bulk and
vernalization schedule will be required.
PLANTING
When your plants arrive, they may appear dead, but the
growing points or "eyes" on the Hosta when shipped dormant
are resting at or just below the soil line. It will only take 4 - 7
days for new growth to appear once they are planted. Plant
the dormant plug so that the soil line of the plug is even to or
just slightly below the soil line of the fresh planting media.
When planting, take care not to bury the crown of the plant too
deeply. Loosening of the liner root-ball can speed up rooting.
Plant in moist, well-drained medium.
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
If forcing in short-day conditions, long days will be required to
maintain proper vegetative growth. Plants should be spaced
such that they do not shade each other. Plants grown during the
summer months should be shaded with at least 30% shade to
bring out the best color and prevent sunburn and discoloration.
'Empress Wu,' if poorly rooted, can be sensitive to high salts
and can exhibit slight leaf burn.
TRIMMING/PINCHING
Hostas should not be trimmed during forcing. Since Proven
Winners® Hosta are shipped free of plant viruses, mass
mechanical trimming is not recommended due to the potential
of spreading viruses.

Four Star Greenhouse I www.pwfourstar.com I 734-654-6420
68

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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