Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 71

LEUCANTHEMUM
Amazing Daisies®
ZONE HARDINESS 5 - 9
NUTRITION
pH: 5.8 - 6.2
EC: (2:1 extraction method) 1.0 - 1.5
Moderate fertilization is recommended. 100ppm - 200ppm N
TEMPERATURE for forcing from liners
Forcing/Growing on: 60 F Night - 65 F Day
Holding: 55 F Night - 60 F Day
Once plants reach a saleable size, they can be moved to a frost
protected open environment with good air movement.
WATERING
Keep the soil evenly moist during all stages of growing. Plants
grown too dry will often be shorter, exhibit a delay of flowering
and produce fewer flowers. We find that once established,
Leucanthemum can dry out more frequently. While they recover
from dry down and can tolerate it, it's best to try to avoid it.
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 10 for finishing in Week 18. If
a larger size is desired, we recommend planting these in the
summer and doing additional bulking prior to vernalization.
50 Liner to Quart: 8 - 10 weeks with one plug per container.
A typical planting date for spring forcing would be Week 10 for
finishing in Week 18. Planting a Standard 50 liner into a 1 gallon
container and bulking in the summer/fall is also a great way to
finish a larger high-quality spring crop.

VERNALIZATION
Providing a cold treatment will produce more flowers per plant
and provide earlier and more uniform flowering. Leucanthemum
are cold beneficial, meaning they don't have to have cold
for flowering, but providing at least six weeks of 35 F - 44 F
temperatures is beneficial in growing a higher quality crop.
Daisy May® flowers more readily and requires a lesser amount
of cold treatment than 'Banana Cream.'
If purchased in the spring, our Supernova® 28 and 50 liners
have been vernalized for proper flowering. If purchased in the
summer/fall, the crop should be exposed to at least six weeks
of 35 F - 44 F temperatures before forcing for more uniform and
consistant flowering.
PLANTING
Leucanthemum perform best when planted in a well-drained,
porous growing medium. Keep the plugs in a cool bright place
until it's time to plant. The plugs will often stretch in a short
amount of time, if left in a dark, warm warehouse.
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
Leucanthemum is long-day beneficial and does not require
long days for flowering and forcing. However, they will flower
and finish faster when they are grown under long days.
Leucanthemum will do okay in light shade in the summer.
During early spring forcing, plants should be given as much
light as possible. Plants should be spaced such that they do not
shade each other. Unspaced plants can stretch and lead to an
undesirable look on the retail bench.

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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