I just got caught up on my height tracking graphs and the weekly (weakly?) apps of Cycocel (1,500 ppm with last weekend's increasing to 2,000 ppm for the 6" Freedoms and the 8" Snowcaps and Monets) don't seem to be doing much. I do have A-Rest on hand -- would a drench now help put the brakes on these guys? If so, at what rate. (I have the A-Rest on hand for the Freedoms' late stretch.) Thanks!

Deanne, you have two options: First is to spray now with a B-Nine/Cycocel tank mix with the B-nine at 1,250 ppm. Use 1,500 Cycocel if you are comfortable with that level. In Virginia, I would not be afraid to use this until end of September as long as you are keeping night temps at 65 or higher. For next year plan to use this tank mix to have much better control and not use as much Cycocel.

For next year use these rates:

High - B-Nine 1,500 and Cycocel 1,250

Medium - 1,250 of each

Low - 1,000 of each

There are some folks that go as high as 2,500/1,500 for vigorous varieties like snowcap and Monet.

Second option is the A-Rest drench. I have less experience with A-Rest as an early drench compared to Paclo products. Generally, I think of the A-Rest rates being 50% more than the Bonzi rates for poinsettias. So that would be 0.15 to 0.3 ppm (1/7 to 1/3 ppm) for A-Rest. I suggest using 0.15 and it will slow the crops down without much risk. Continue measuring and watching heights and reapply when needed. If you do not get enough effect from this in 10 days or so, increase the rate for the next application. Good luck and let us know how it works. Jim

Thanks! I applied A-Rest at your recommended rate to a few test plants and even photographed them to monitor the effect. I'll give them a week, still applying my spray regime to the rest in the meantime.