Crops To Pay Attention To

Crops To Pay Attention ToExpress Seed Co.Sales Meeting July 8 & 9, 2011Oberlin, Ohio

- Erysimum HybridaPoem SeriesRysi SeriesGlow SeriesWinter SeriesErysimum HybridsA product of CultivarisThese hybrid perennial wallflowers have a great upside if you live in the right areaThese hybrid are outstanding in garden performance when temperatures arent too extremeOf the 4 series offered, only 1 is winter hardy, but all 4 will take a light frost show a decent heat toleranceAll 4 series have a genetic bushy habit and produce many sweetly scented flowers on short compact flower spikesThis is a product line that can flower for 8+ weeks in late winter through early summer and make a wonderful companion along with Pansies, Violas, Primula, Iceland Poppies, etc for early season bedding and container usesAll 4 series require some degree of vernalization at the end of the production cycle for proper flower initiationOnce a plant is budded, it can easily be shipped to warmer environments where it will continue to flower for a long period even though temperatures remain warm day and night. This makes Erysimum natural market extenders as southern gardeners can enjoy them for weeks, even if they were produced in parts north.Series AttributesGlow seriesMost compact of the seriesMost cold tolerant of the series USDA zone 5/64 inch or quarts best3 colors- coral, golden, orangePoem seriesModerate plant habitFrost hardy but not winter hardy USDA zone 8Poems need less cooling to vernalize than the othersBest in quarts, 6 inch, 1 gallons4 colors- lilac, lavender, pastel bi-color, mirabelle bi-colorRysi seriesModerate plant habitFrost hardy, but not winter hardy- USDA zone 8Best in quarts, 6 inch, 1 gallons5 colors- bronze, copper, gold, moon (cream to white), star (yellow to primroseWinter seriesMost vigorous of the series, best in large containersBest in 6 inch, 1 gallons, 2 gallons or tubsFrost hardy or light winters- USDA zone 75 colors- joy (purple), orchid (red to purple), rouge (red to russet), sun (yellow to cream)

Rysi Gold

Winter Orchid

Poem Lilac

Poem Mirabella

Rysi CopperProduction Characteristics- What they All NeedAll series need warm growing temperatures, after transplant, for bulking up, before vernalization. The length of this bulking period depends on the pot size youre producing. The bigger the pot, the longer this period. Also, the larger the pot the earlier in the fall you transplant the rooted cutting. Once the plant has reached a minimum of 50% of its optimal finished size, tis ready for vernalizationAll series need to be soft pinched 2 weeks after transplantAll series need 6-8 weeks of vernalization (temperature at night 35-45F) after optimal size is reached for bud initiationAfter vernalization, before shipping, a gradual increase in temperature helps wake up the plant and start it actually growing again. A 5 increase in temperature per week is best till 55 nights are reached. However, if the crop is early, you can hold its development by keeping temperatures below 45FNever pinch/trim after the cold period begins, it removes initiated flower budsAll series are day length neutralGeneral Grower InfoPlanting: pot in August-October; depends on variety, pot size, sales date; soft pinch 2 weeks laterSoil: use a well drained peat based soil, pH 5.7-6.3, E.C. levels of 1.3-1.7Fertility: Erysimums are moderate feeders, use a balanced blend, plus miros of 200 ppm when moisture is neededFeed even during vernalization to avoid yellow lower leaves and leaf dropAlways keep soil moist, avoid excessive dryingTemperature: ideal is 65-75F for bulking, vernalize at 35-50F; the warmer to vernalize temperatures, the longer it takes to complete this periodLight: high light is a must, no shading, no long day treatmentsPGRs: series specificNo PGRs on any series after buds have begin initiationCrop Times by SeriesGlow series4 inch or quarts: 6-8 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks coldNo PGRs requiredPoem seriesQuart: 5-6 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold6 inch: 6-7 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold1 gallon: 8-10 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks coldMay require PGR during bulking 3-5 ppm Sumagic bestRysi seriesQuart: 6-7 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold6 inch: 7-8 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold1 gallon: 8-10 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks coldPGRs are normally not requiredWinter series6 inch: 6-7 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold1 gallon: 8-10 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks cold2 gallon 12-15 weeks warm plus 6-8 weeks coldPGRs as necessary in bulking period- 5 ppm Sumagic per applicationOur Supply SourcesURCs- Oro GuatemalaRooting use a 72 or 128 trayTakes 5-6 weeks at 70FRooted liners- Plug ConnectionPacific Plug and LinerJames Greenhouse