Culture guide

Usage

Pots, Mixed Containers and Landscape

Germination

Optimal conditions for seedling development, beginning on the day of sowing until radical emergence Expect radicle emergence in 3-4 days.

Media

Plug Culture:
Begin with a Saturated (5) media for the first 4 days. On day 5 begin to reduce the moisture level to a Wet (4) for the next 4 -5 days. Once the cotyledons have expanded reduce further to a Moist (3). This should occur on day 11-12. Begin to alternate between a moisture level Wet (4) and a Medium (2). Let the media approach a Medium (2) before re-saturating to a Wet (4). Alternate between moisture levels Wet (4) and Medium (2). Allow the media to approach a Medium (2) before re saturating to a Wet (4). Platycodon prefer slightly drier media conditions for good root development.
Growing On:
Alternate between moisture levels Wet (4) and Medium (2). Allow the media to reach a Medium (2) before re-saturating to a Wet (4). Allowing the media moisture level to dry back will encourage good root development.

Temperature

Plug Culture:
68-70 °F (20-21 °C), after germination has occurred the temperature can be reduced slightly to 65-68 °F (18- 20 °C).
Growing On:
65-68 °F (18-20 °C) nights, 70-74 °F (21-23 °C) days for the first two weeks after transplanting. Thereafter temperatures may be lowered to 62–65 °F (16–18°C) day and night. An ADT (average daily temperature of 67˚F (19˚C) will give the fastest finished crop.

Fertilization

Plug Culture:
Maintain an EC < 1.0. Fertilized water should not exceed an EC of 0.5. Begin fertilizing early using a calcium-based feed, 14-4-14 or 15-5-15 at 50 – 60 ppm.
Growing On:
Higher rates of ammonium can now be used in the feed program. Fertilize at 150 – 200 ppm N using a 17-5-17 or 20-10-20 fertilizer. Under higher light conditions 20-10-20 can be used.