Gazania Daybreak Grower Fact

Gazania Daybreak Orange Cream
Gazania rigens

The Number One Choice for Vigorous Garden Performance!
-Nine-color series leads the pack with exceptional germination uniformity and young plant performance, strong colors on large blooms, and excellent free-flowering, vigorous habit.
-A Hot Summer Survivors selection…great heat and drought tolerance.
-Durable, easy-to-grow plants reach 8 to 10 in. (20 to 25 cm) outdoors.
-Well-suited to high-density pack programs.
-Now supplied as Coated Seed with a 90% germination standard.
-Daybreak series gazanias are available as seed or plugs.
Germination
Cover the seed with a medium layer of coarse-grade vermiculite. Allow 3 to 4 days for germination. Light is not required for germination.

Growing On to Finish
Plug Tray Size
Daybreak gazania seedlings can be produced in plug tray sizes as small as 406-cell. Plug time in this cell size is approximately 4 weeks. If bigger cell size trays such as 200 or 288 are used, plants can take 4 to 5 weeks to finish.

Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2, and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC) of 0.75 mmhos/cm (1:2 extraction).

Sowing
Cover the seed with a medium layer of coarse-grade vermiculite. Allow 3 to 4 days for germination.

Temperature
Germination: 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C)
Cotyledon stage: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C)
True leaves: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Hold plugs: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C)

Light
Stage 1: Light is not required for germination.
After germination: 1,000 to 2,500 f.c. (10,000 to 25,000 Lux).
Seedling maturity: Up to 3,000 f.c. (30,000 Lux).
Humidity: Maintain 95% relative humidity (RH) until cotyledons emerge during germination.
Soil Moisture:Avoid excessive moisture to prevent any incidence of damping-off. Maintain a medium level of moisture. Do not allow seedlings to wilt.

Fertilizer
Stage 2: Apply 50 to 75 ppm N, maintaining an EC of 1.0.
Late Stage 3 & 4: Apply 100 to 150 ppm N, maintaining an EC of 1.0 to 1.5.
Growth Regulators: Not required.

Growing On to Finish
Container Size
Daybreak gazanias are well-suited to cell-packs and 6-in. (15-cm) pots with 3 plants per pot.

Media:Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2, and a medium initial nutrient charge, maintaining an EC of 1.5 to 2.0 mmhos/cm.

Temperature
Nights: 55 to 60°F (13 to 15°C).
Days: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C).
Light:Keep light levels from moderate to high.

Irrigation & Fertilizer: Maintain even moisture. Do not allow plants to wilt. Feed plants weekly with 150 to 200 ppm N with a complete fertilizer.

Growth Regulators: If needed, use B-Nine at 3,500 ppm to tone the crop.

Common Problems
Diseases: Damping-off during seedling production.
Insects: Check for aphids, mites, thrips, and whiteflies.