Grower Facts

Eragrostis Elliottii Wind Dancer

(Eragrostis Elliottii Wind Dancer)

Germination

Sow multi-seed pellets in 400 to 288-cell trays. In Europe, pellets can be sown in 264-cell trays. Do not cover pellets.

Days to Germinate:
Deschampsia Zephyr: 3-4 days
Eragrostis Wind Dancer: 2-3 days
Isolepis Live Wire: 6 days
Juncus Blue Arrows: 12 days
Juncus Blue Dart: 7-8 days
Juncus Javelin: 5-6 days
Juncus Twisted Arrows: 7-8 days
Koeleria Blue Sprite: 4-5 days
Stipa Capriccio: 4-5 days
Stipa Sirocco: 5-6 days

Plug Production
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless media with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm).

Stage 1
Soil temperature: 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)
Light: Required for germination and early seedling growth.
Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage 1.
Humidity: Maintain 100% relative humidity (RH) until radicles emerge.

Stage 2
Soil temperature: 64 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Reduce soil moisture slightly (level 3) 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: 64 to 68°F (18 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.

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: Maintain wet/dry cycle. Do not allow the seedlings to wilt.
Fertilizer: Same as Stage 3.

Growing On to Finish
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless media with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm).

Transplanting
Do not bury the plugs too deeply when transplanting.

Temperature
Nights: 59 to 64°F (15 to 18°C)
Days: 62 to 74°F (17 to 23°C)
These grasses can be grown under temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C) but the crop time will increase significantly. See crop scheduling chart for additional cultural suggestions.

Light
Maintain light levels as high as possible if temperature can be controlled.

Irrigation
Maintain medium moisture conditions. See crop scheduling chart for additional watering suggestions.

Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer at rate 3 (175 to 225 ppm N/1.2 to 1.5 mS/cm EC) once a week from nitrate-form fertilizer with low phosphorus. Avoid using excessive ammonia nitrogen-form fertilizers and overfeeding, as these will result in less upright plants.

Growth Regulators
PGRs are not needed. However, for Juncus Javelin, a Bonzi (paclobutrazol) spray at 30 ppm (7.5ml/l, 0.4% formulation) 2 weeks after transplant is beneficial to reduce leaf bending by making the plants more compact and stronger.

Pinching
Pinching is not needed.

Spacing
Can be grown pot tight.

Container Size
306 Premium pack: 1 plug per cell
2.5-in. (6-cm) pot: 1 plug per cell
4-in. (10-cm) pot: 1 plug per pot
6-in. (15-cm) pot: 1 to 3 plugs per pot
1-gallon (18-cm) pot: 1 to 3 plugs per pot

Common Problems
No major insect or disease issues.

Crop Scheduling
Deschampsia Zephyr
Sow to Transplant: 4-5 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 5-6 weeks
Cultural Notes: Do not allow plants to wilt.

Eragrostis Wind Dancer
Sow to Transplant: 3-5 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 5-6 weeks
Cultural Notes: Cooler temperatures will help to make a more compact plant.

Isolepis Live Wire
Sow to Transplant: 5-6 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 5-6 weeks
Cultural Notes: Do not allow plants to wilt.

Juncus Blue Arrows
Sow to Transplant: 5-6 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 6-7 weeks
Cultural Notes: Can be grown under saturated conditions.

Juncus Blue Dart
Sow to Transplant: 6-7 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 6-7 weeks
Cultural Notes: Can be grown under saturated conditions.

Juncus Javelin
Sow to Transplant: 5-6 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 5-6 weeks
Cultural Notes: High light and Bonzi spray will make plants more compact and stronger.

Juncus Twisted Arrows
Sow to Transplant: 5-6 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 6-8 weeks
Cultural Notes: Can be grown under saturated conditions.

Koeleria Blue Sprite
Sow to Transplant: 5-6 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 6-7 weeks

Stipa Capriccio
Sow to Transplant: 4-5 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 6-7 weeks

Stipa Sirocco
Sow to Transplant: 5-6 weeks
Transplant to Finish: 6-8 weeks
Cultural Notes: Coloration is better under cool conditions with high light.

*The transplant to finish time for 6-in. (15-cm) and gallon containers is based on 3 plugs per pot. Add 2 more weeks to the crop time when planting 1 plug per 6-in. (15-cm) and gallon (18-cm) container.