Petunia Shock Wave
P. x hybrida
Seed Count (Pelleted): 33,000 S./oz. (1,200 S./g)

Plug Production
NOTE: Because their spreading habit begins after transplanting, Shock Wave plugs can be produced like other petunia plugs.

Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free seedling medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 and EC about 0.75 mS/cm (1:2 extraction).

Sowing
Covering Shock Wave seed is not recommended. Water adequately after sowing to completely dissolve the pellet.

Stage 1 – Germination takes 4 to 5 days.
Soil temperature: 72 to 76°F (22 to 24°C)
Light: Lighting is optional.
Moisture: Keep soil very wet (level 5) during Stage 1 for optimal germination.
Humidity: Maintain 100% relative humidity (RH) until radicles emerge.

Stage 2
Soil temperature: 68 to 75°F (20 to 24°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Start to slightly reduce soil moisture (level 4) 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: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Allow media further dry to the surface become light brown (level 2) before watering. Keep the moisture to wet-dry cycle (moisture level 4 to 2).
Fertilizer: Increase fertilizer to rate 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC). If growth is slow, apply a balanced ammonium and nitrate-form fertilizer with every other fertilization. Maintain medium pH of 5.8 to 6.2 and EC between 1.0 and 1.5 mS/cm (1:2 extraction).
Growth Regulators: Control Shock Wave plug growth first by environment, nutrition and irrigation management, then with chemical plant growth regulators if needed. Minimize ammonium-form nitrogen fertilizer to avoid seedling elongation. Temperature differential (DIF) can also be used to minimize height. Test all chemical plant regulators first.
In North American conditions: apply B-Nine/Alar (daminozide) 1 to 2 applications at 5,000 ppm (6.0 g/l 85% formulation or 7.8 g/l 64% formulation) as a spray. The first application should be made when plugs have 2 to 3 true leaves. A second application can be made 7 days later. This treatment can improve basal branching of mature plants.
In Northern European conditions: 1 to 3 applications of B-Nine/Alar (daminozide) at 1,250 ppm (1.5 g/l 85% formulation or 2.0 g/l 64% formulation) spray has been tested and show effective if needed.

Stage 4
Soil temperature: 60 to 65°F (16 to 18°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
Container Size
1801 flats & Ride The Wave Pink Packs: 1 plant per cell
4 to 4.5-in. (10 to 11-cm) pots: 1 plant per pot
6-in. (15-cm) pots: 1 to 3 plants per pot
10-in. (25-cm) baskets: 3 to 4 plants per basket

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: 57 to 65°F (14 to 18°C)
Days: 61 to 75°F (16 to 24°C)
Shock Wave can be grown as low as 50°F (10°C). Crop timing (time to flower) is related to average temperature when grown under proper daylength.Shock Wave plants will take longer to flower when grown in cooler conditions.

Light
Keep light levels as high as possible while maintaining temperature.

Fertilizer
Shock Wave petunias require more fertilizer than is usually recommended for petunias. For best results, apply nitrate-form with low phosphorus fertilizer at rate 4 (225 to 300ppm N (1.5-2.0 mS/cm EC) every other irrigation. Apply a balanced ammonium and nitrate form fertilizer with low phosphorus as need to encourage growth and balance medium pH. Maintain medium pH 5.8 to 6.2.

Growth Regulators
In North American conditions: Use B-Nine/Alar (daminozide) at 5,000 ppm (5.9 g/l, 85% formulation or 7.8 g/l, 64% formulation) at 7 days after transplant. Follow these with a Bonzi drench at 3 to 5 ppm (0.8 to 1.3 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) depending on environmental conditions. If additional PGR is needed, a Bonzi (paclobutrazol) spray at 30 ppm (7.5 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) will help hold the finished crop.

In northern European conditions: Use B-Nine/Alar at 5,000 ppm (5.9 g/l, 85% formulation or 7.8 g/l, 64% formulation) at 7 days after transplant. Follow these with a Bonzi drench 6-8 ppm (1.5 to 2.0 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) depending on environmental conditions. If additional PGR is needed, a Bonzi spray at 30 ppm (7.5 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) will help hold the finished crop. A general guideline is to use the same (or similar) growth regulator program for Shock Wave petunias as you use for your Easy Wave petunias. To determine the best rate for your conditions, we recommend that you run an in-house trial.

Photoperiod
Ride The Wave petunia lighting requirements vary by location, variety and production week. Refer to the Supplemental Lighting Chart on the following page. Shock Wave petunias are less sensitive to daylength than Wave petunias. Shock Wave varieties will flower successfully at 10 hours. The crop time at 10 hours will be about 10 to 14 days longer than at 12 hour daylength. When producing Shock Wave petunias early in the year when days are short, decrease crop times by using supplemental lighting after transplanting. Day extension or night break lighting are acceptable.

Total Crop Time:

Common Problems
No major problems will occur if good cultural and IPM practices are used.
NOTE: Growers should use the information presented here as a starting point. Crop times willvary depending on the climate, location, time of year and greenhouse environmental conditions. Chemical and PGR recommendations are only guidelines. It is the responsibility of the applicator to read and follow all the current label directions for the specific chemical being used in accordance with all regulations.