Grower Facts
Alternanthera Royal Tapestry
(Alternanthera dentata)

Germination: Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.1 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC less than 0.75 mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction). Do not cover seed. Germination takes 2 to 3 days.

Plug Production
Media:Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.1 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC less than 0.75 mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction).
Sowing:Sow seed to 400 to 288-cell size trays. In Europe, it can be sown to 264-cell size trays. Do not cover seed.

Stage 1 – Germination takes 2 to 3 days
Soil temperature: 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)
Light: Not required, but benefits seedling quality.
Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage 1 for optimal germination.
Humidity: Maintain 95%+ relative humidity (RH) until radicles emerge.

Stage 2
Soil temperature: 68 to 70°F (20 to 21°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Start to slightly reduce soil moisture (level 4) to allow the roots to penetrate into the media.
Fertilizer: Apply fertilizer at rate 1 (less than 100 ppm N/less than 0.7 mS/cm EC) from nitrate-form fertilizers with low phosphorous.

Stage 3
Soil temperature: 66 to 68°F (19 to 20°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Allow media to dry until the surface becomes light brown (level 2) before watering. Do not allow the seedlings to wilt.
Fertilizer: Increase fertilizer to rate 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC).
Growth Regulators: Not needed, but B-Nine (daminozide) at 1,300 to 2,500 ppm (2.0 to 3.0g/l, 85% formulation or 2.5 to 4.0 g/l, 64% formulation) is beneficial.

Stage 4
Soil temperature: 64 to 66°F (18 to 19°C)
Light: Up to 5,000 f.c. (53,800 Lux) if temperature can be controlled
Moisture: Same as stage 3
Fertilizer: Same as stage 3

Growing On to Finish
Media:Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2 and a medium initial nutrient charge.
Temperature:Nights: 60 to 66°F (16 to 19°C), Days: 63 to 72°F (17 to 22°C)
NOTE: Growing at lower temperatures makes plants stronger and more compact.
Light:As high as possible if temperature can be controlled.
Irrigation:Avoid both excessive watering and drought. Do not allow plants to wilt.
Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer at rate 3 (175 to 225 ppm N/1.2 to1.5 mS/cm EC) once a week from nitrate-form fertilizer with low phosphorus.

Growth Regulators
In North American conditions: A weekly spray of BNine/ Alar (daminozide) at 5,000 ppm (5.9 g/l, 85%formulation or 7.8 g/l, 64% formulation) results in more compact plants and dark purple foliage. For warmer areas, a Bonzi (paclobutrazol) 3 to 4 ppm (0.8 to 1.0ml/l, 0.4% formulation) drench 1 week after transplant works well.
In Northern European conditions: B-Nine/Alar (daminozide) at 1,600 to 2,500 ppm (2.0 to 3.0 g/l, 85% formulation or 2.5 to 4.0 g/l, 64% formulation) every 4 days works better.
Pinching:Pinching is not needed.

Common Problems
Insect: Aphids can cause loss of foliage color, and eventually result in leaf drop.
Disease: No known diseases
Note: Growers should use the information presented here as a starting point. Crop times will vary depending on the climate, location, time of year and greenhouse environmental conditions. Chemical and PGR recommendations are only guidelines. It is the responsibility of the applicator to read and follow all the current label directions for the specific chemical being used in accordance with all regulations.