We typically do not recommend using fertilizer in the mist in propagation or direct sticking for various reasons. Fertilizer increases the amount of algae growth you see. Increased algae growth can cause a fungus gnat problem. When fertilizer is in the mist it is also really common to see phosphorus accumulate in the growing tip, the phosphorus binds up micronutrients, and results in complex micronutrient deficiency. From this deficiency you can see distortion and stunting. When fertilizer is in the mist it is also difficult to adjust feed rates for light leaf and dark leaf cultivars. Stretch can also be more of an issue when fertilizer is applied in the mist. More stretch equals more growth regulating which equals slow rooting and establishing.
Rather than fertilizer in the mist we recommend fertilizing overhead 7-10 days after sticking with 150 ppm 21-5-20 or 18-3-18. Fertilizing should continue once a weekly and the fertilizer should always contain less than 10% phosphorus. The fertilizer should also be low in ammoniacal nitrogen to reduce stretch.
Posts: 250 | Location: CA | Registered: Wed March 19 2003
Shannon, I have always experienced better initial root growth after transplant by cutting my feed in half for the first 7-10 days. It's almost as if the new roots are looking for nutrients during expansion. After the initial period of any transplant shock I up my feed to about the 250ppm level and shortly there after start monitoring soil pH and EC levels to keep them in a range for best growth in my area. Having said all this.... I am in a very hot and humid part of the US in the S.E Texas area so after transplant I feed/water twice a day for the first week to keep the young plants from wilting in our hot temperatures so my Poinsettias get a lot of feed initially even at the 125ppm rate. If you are in a lot cooler climate where you water a lot less your feed program may be better at the 250ppm rate. I always recommend learning the in greenhouse "Pour Thru" method so you can keep track of your pH and EC levels from start to finish. ...Michael Pawelek Pecan Hill Nursery Pecan Hill Nursery
I'm still in the Poinsettia business but using the "Jim Barrett" method. Doing consultation without doing any of the labor! I have also revamped one of my smaller greenhouses and made it into a "rooting" greenhouse with mist system in order to root a lot more of my Spring non-patented crop "in house" and save some on overhead. I still remember the days of having a whole box of rooted liners shipped across the U.S. for $4.50 Those days are over so everything done locally is a extra dollar in the till. I've also had to increase my schedule as my Dad's hemodialysis nurse so I'm still very, very busy. Thanks for asking.... PS-I had my eyes operated on this last Spring for the fourth time in 20 years and have one operation to go. I was born legally blind and started wearing glasses as a tiny child. Due to the latest laser technology I now have the possibility for the first time in my life to stumble around the greenhouse without glasses though I will always need them for close up work. To see things up close without really thick glasses I've always had to hold things within a 1/4" of my eyes to see clearly and my nose gets in the way! The two surgeons I go to have together operated on more than 20,000 eyes in their careers and tell me I have the worse case they have ever operated on. They....and I, are thrilled with the results so far. I am amazed now to be able to walk into my large greenhouse and see individual plants on the benches without using binoculars!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Michael Pawelek,
Now wait a minute Michael .... I resemble that remark. Good news on your eyes! Be careful you may go out there in the greenhouse this fall, see that empty space and feel like you should be doing something with it. Thanks for staying involved. Jim
Jim, You keep telling us that you look like George Clooney so I am really curious to finally see a picture of you in a upcomming issue of Grower Talks or Greenhouse Grower!
I have also revamped one of my smaller greenhouses and made it into a "rooting" greenhouse with mist system in order to root a lot more of my Spring non-patented crop "in house" and save some on overhead. I still remember the days of having a whole box of rooted liners shipped across the U.S. for $4.50 Those days are over so everything done locally is a extra dollar in the till. I've also had to increase my schedule as my Dad's hemodialysis nurse so I'm still very, very busy. Thanks for asking....
