Christmas Royale

CULTURE THAT WORKS

propagation

• Roots well; plant from a liner at 24 days.
• Apply rooting hormone at the base of cutting.
• Start feed program at day 7.
• Feed aggressively; failure to feed early enough will result in yellowing and hardening.

early finished growth

• Pinch early: at day 14-18 from a liner; at day 28 for direct stick.
• Breaks begin to grow 5-7 days after pinch.
• In low-humidity climates, ethephon applications before and/or after pinch may help hasten branching.

growing on

• Grows steadily once the branches develop, and exhibits consistent slow growth throughout the crop until color begins.
• Apply light PGR when branches are 1-1.5 in. (2.5-4 cm) using chlormequat chloride spray at 500-750 ppm.
• Apply more aggressive PGR when branches are 2 in. (5 cm).
• Southern Climate: Use 1-2 applications of daminozide (1,000 ppm)/chlormequat chloride (500 ppm) before September 20. Apply later chlormequat chloride sprays at 500-750 ppm, with last applications by October 10.
• Micro paclobutrazol drenches can begin in early October.

late growing stages

• Requires continuous feed until finish.
• Reduce feed levels if media EC increases too rapidly.
• Requires the finished pH be maintained below 6.6 to prevent magnesium deficiency. This shows up in the form of interveinal chlorosis near the outer part of the leaves about 3/4 of the way up the plant, usually in late October. If this occurs, foliar applications of chelated magnesium can be applied.