Grower Facts

Brazilian Fireworks Maracas(Porphyrocoma pholiana)

Germination

- Sow 1 seed per cell in 400 to 288-cell trays. Cover the seed with coarse vermiculite.
- Germination takes 4 to 5 days.
- Soil temperature: 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)
- Light: Germinates slightly better under dark conditions.
- Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage 1.
- Humidity: Maintain 100% relative humidity (RH) until radicles emerge.

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 1 seed per cell in 400 to 288-cell trays. Cover the seed with coarse vermiculite.
Stage 1- Germination takes 4 to 5 days.
Soil temperature: 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)
Light: Germinates slightly better under dark conditions.
Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage 1.
Humidity: Maintain 100% 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: Reduce soil moisture slightly (level 3) to allow root 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 further dry so 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.
Stage 4
Soil temperature: 68 to 70°F (20 to 21°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: 66 to 68°F (19 to 20°C)
Days: 72 to 80°F (22 to 27°C)
Maracas Brazilian Fireworks is a heat-loving crop. The warmer the temperature is, the faster the crop time. The crop time will be significantly longer when grown in temperatures below 66°F (19°C). In addition, temperatures below 66°F (19°C) can cause the leaves to turn yellow and pucker.
Light
Provide shade when light level is above 5,000 f.c. (53,800 Lux). Maracas Brazilian Fireworks is a shade crop that can tolerate light levels as low as 1,500 f.c. (16,200 Lux). High light can cause leaf puckering.
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, alternated with balanced ammonium and nitrate form fertilizer as needed.
Growth Regulators
Growth regulators are not needed for height control, but Bonzi (paclobutrazol) spray at 3 to 5 ppm (0.75 to 1.25 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) will result in more silvercolored foliage and flowering about 2 weeks earlier than without treatment. Using a higher rate than 5 ppm (1.25 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) can induce puckering of the leaves. To determine the best rate for your conditions, we recommend that you conduct an inhouse trial.
Pinching
Pinching is not needed.
Common Problems
No major problems have been observed.