Four Star Culture Guide - 2019 - 96

WEIGELA
ZONE HARDINESS 4 - 8
NUTRITION
pH: 5.8 - 6.2
EC: (2:1 extraction method) 0.6 - 0.9
Moderate fertilization is recommended. 100ppm - 200ppm N
TEMPERATURE for forcing from liners
Forcing/Growing on: 65 F Night - 72 F Day
Holding: 40 F Night - 50 F Day
Once plants reach a saleable size, they can be moved to a frost
protected open environment with good air movement.
WATERING
Moderate to moist: Water thoroughly without over-saturating.
Keep moist but not wet throughout entire growth cycle.
TIMING
28 Liner to True 1 Gallon: 10 - 12 weeks with one plug per
container. A planting date for spring finishing would be Week
8 for finishing in Weeks 18 - 20. However, planting a 28 count
liner in the spring can be difficult to provide the size and flower
show needed to compare with nursery grown material. We
recommend planting these in the late summer or fall and doing
additional bulking prior to dormancy.
Quick Turn Liner to True 1 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. Planting a Quick
Turn in Week 20 for finishing in Week 28 is also achievable.
™

Quick Turn Liner to 2 - 3 Gallon: Planting a Quick Turn liner
into a 2 - 3 gallon container and bulking in the late summer or
fall is a great way to finish a larger, high-quality spring crop.

VERNALIZATION
Vernalization for flowering is required for the first full flush
of color on Weigela. In the early spring, they will not flower
consistently without an adequate cold treatment.
PLANTING
Weigela perform best when planted in a well-drained, porous
growing medium.
When growing shrubs, 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 shrubs.
LIGHT/LIGHTING
During early spring forcing, plants should be given as much
light as possible. High light will ensure darker foliage in Wine
& Roses® and Spilled Wine®. Poly grown plants will have
lighter colored foliage. Crops should be spaced such that they
do not shade each other. Unspaced plants can stretch, require
additional pruning and lead to an undesirable look on the retail
bench.
Light shading can be beneficial in the summer heat, as Weigela
can sometimes struggle and burn in really hot locations.
TRIMMING/PINCHING
Frequent pruning in the summer and fall will produce a tightly
mounding product, which will have a longer shelf life at retail. A
late season flush of color is possible with a mid-summer prune
followed by a good fertilization program. This is especially true
on the Sonic Bloom® series.

Four Star Greenhouse I www.pwfourstar.com I 734-654-6420
96

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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