Grower Facts

Dichondra Emerald Falls
(Dichondra repens)

Germination
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.3 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction). Cover the seed lightly with coarse vermiculite.

Plug Production
Media: Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.3 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction).
Sowing: Cover the seed lightly with coarse vermiculite.

Temperature
Germination: 72 to 76°F (22 to 24°C)
Cotyledon stage: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C)
True leaves: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Hold plugs: 62 to 65°F (16 to 18°C)

Light
Stage one: Not required.
After germination: 1,000 to 2,500 f.c. (10,000 to 30,000 Lux).
Seedling maturity: Up to 5,000 f.c. (54,000 Lux) if temperature can be controlled.
Humidity: Maintain 95% relative humidity until cotyledons emerge.
Soil Moisture: Keep soil moisture high until radicle emergence, then reduce moisture levels after the radicle penetrates the medium. Plug development is faster with drier plug culture. Do not allow the seedlings to wilt.
Fertilizer: At radicle emergence, apply 50 to 75 ppm N from 15-0-15. As cotyledons expand, increase to 100 to 150 ppm N.
Growth Regulators: Spray B-Nine at 2,500 ppm one week before transplant to promote branches.

Growing On to Finish
Media:Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 and a medium initial nutrient charge.
Temperature:Nights: 62 to 65°F (16° to 18°C), Days: 65 to 75°F (18° to 24°C)
Light: Higher light levels result in foliage that is more silver in color and shorter internodes.
Irrigation: Silver Falls dichondra benefits from warm, dry growing conditions. Let crop dry out well in between irrigations.
Fertilizer: Feed weekly with 200 ppm N in complete fertilizer.
Growth Regulators : For pot production, a tank mix of 5,000 ppm B-Nine and 1,000 ppm Cycocel one week after transplant can be used to increase branching, control stem length and prevent plants from becoming tangled. This treatment also makes the foliage more silver.
Pinching:? Pinching is not needed
Crop Scheduling: Sow to transplant (400-cell plug tray): 5 weeks If producing liners (72-tray), allow 7 to 8 weeks from sow to transplant, and reduce post-transplant crop time by two weeks

Common Problems
Insects: No serious problems.
Diseases: No serious problems.

Green Thumb Tips
Plant in full sun to part shade. Use Silver Falls dichondra as a cascading plant in mixed containers or in hanging baskets. Requires well-drained soil if planted in the garden. Excellent as a cascading plant in raised beds and at the edge of rock walls.