Grower Facts

Erysimum Citrona (Erysimum species)

Germination

Cover the seed with a light to medium layer of coarse grade vermiculite. Because of Citrona’s excellent basal branching, these plants can be sown single seeded in contrast to others in the marketplace. Days to Germ: 2 to 4 days.

Plug Production

Plug Tray Size
Can be produced in 392 or 406 cell-type plug trays. The average plug finishing time is 4 weeks.

Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free plug media with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2.

Sowing
Cover the seed with a light to medium layer of coarse grade vermiculite. Because of Citrona’s excellent basal branching, these plants can be sown single seeded in contrast to others in the marketplace.
Days to Germ: 2 to 4 days.
Stage 2 timing: 7 days
Stage 3 timing: 10 days
Stage 4 timing: 7 days

Temperature
Germination: 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C).
Stage 2: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C) days; 60°F (15°C) nights
Stage 3: 65°F (18°C) days; 60°F (15°C) nights
Stage 4: 60°F (15°C) days; 55°F (13°C) nights

Light
Light is not required for germination. For growing on the plugs, light levels can be up to 3,000 f.c. (30,000 Lux).

Humidity
Maintain 95 to 97% relative humidity during germination.

Fertilizer
Beginning at Stage 3, start fertilizing the seedlings twice a week with 50 ppm N, using a complete balanced plug fertilizer. Increase the nitrogen concentration to 100 ppm after a week, and continue this regime until finishing the plugs. Maintain an EC of 0.5 to 0.75 mmhos/cm and a pH of 5.8 to 6.2 at Stage 2; at Stage 3 and 4, EC and pH values can be at 1.0 and 5.8 to 6.2, respectively.

Growth Regulators
Plant Growth Regulators are recommended for plug production. Use foliar sprays of Bonzi at 10 ppm at Week 3 from sowing to produce compact/stretch-free seedlings. One application will be sufficient during the plug production.

Growing On to Finish

Container Size
306 Premium Packs, 4 in. (10 cm), 4.5 in. (11 cm) and larger containers.

Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free soilless growing media with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2 and a medium level of initial nutrient charge.

Temperature
Erysimum performs well when grown under cooler temperatures, more like pansies, and can also be a good Autumn companion for pansies. After transplant, the crop can be grown under greenhouse conditions (65 to 70°F/18 to 21°C days and 55 to 60°F/13 to 16°C nights) for approximately 2 weeks until the plugs start rooting out and are well established, after which they can be grown outside under cold frame-type conditions to flower or finish. The optimal outside growing temperatures can be 65 to 75°F (18 to 29°C) days and 40 to 55°F(5 to 13°C) nights.

Light
No supplemental lighting is required.

Irrigation & Fertilization
Maintain even moisture and avoid excessive wetness. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200 to 300 ppm N with a complete balanced fertilizer, maintaining a pH of 5.8 to 6.2. E.C. of the media can be at 1.5 to 2.5 mmhos/cm (SME).

Plant Growth Regulators
Growth Regulators can be used for pack/container production. Foliar sprays of Bonzi at 20 ppm can be applied 1 to 2 times after transplant. First application can be done 10 to 14 days after transplant, followed by a second application 2 weeks later if necessary (especially if the crop is targeted for finishing in Autumn). Alternatively, a tank mix foliar sprays of Bnine at 2,500 ppm and Cycocel at 1,000 ppm can also be effective. The timing and frequency for the tank mix regime can be same as that of Bonzi.

Note: Orange typically flowers slightly earlier than yellow.

Common Problems
Diseases: Having a well drained, disease-free/ sterilized soil and good plant spacing is important for avoiding disease in the landscapes.