Germination
Sow multi-pelleted seed in 288-cell trays. In Europe, 264-cell trays can be used. Do not cover seed.

Stage 1 – Germination takes 3 to 4 days
-Soil temperature: 68 to 74°F (20 to 23°C)
-Light: Not required.
-Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage 1.
-Humidity: Maintain 95%+ relative humidity (RH) until radicles emerge.

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

Stage 2
Soil temperature: 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Reduce soil moisture slightly (level 3 to 4) 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 further until the surface becomes 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: Not needed.

Stage 4
Soil temperature: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°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
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).

Temperature

Nights: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C)
Days: 68 to 75°F (20 to 24°C)

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

Photoperiod:Toucan Purslane can flower under any daylength but will flower slightly faster under shorter days.

Irrigation:Grow on the dry side.

Fertilizer:Apply fertilizer at rate 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC) using predominantly nitrate-form fertilizer with low phosphorus and high potassium. Maintain the media EC at 1.5 to 2.0 mS/cm and pH at 6.0 to 6.5.

Growth Regulators:Grown from multi-seed pellets, Toucan Purslane generally does not need a PGR treatment if produced under low feed, dry watering and high-light conditions. However, if necessary, Topflor (flurprimidol) 30 ppm (7.9 ml/l, 0.38% formulation) spray can be used at 1 week after transplant. Repeat the spray 2 weeks later. Or alternatively, Bonzi (paclobutrazol) 5 ppm (1.3 ml/l, 0.4% formulation) drench can be used at 1 week after transplant.

Pinching:Not needed.

Spacing:Space when plants touch each other.

Crop Scheduling:Sow to transplant (288 cell plug): 4 to 5 weeks. Transplant to flower: 6 to 7 weeks; hanging baskets, 8 to 9 weeks

Common Problems
Insect: Watch for Aphids.
Disease: None.

Tips for Landscapers and Gardeners
-Toucan Purslane is very drought-tolerant in hanging baskets and other containers.
-Plant in full sun after all danger of frost is past.
-Space plants 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm) apart in well-drained soil.
-Flowers close at night.

Note: Growers should use the information presented here as a starting point. Crop times will vary 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.