Proven Winners have three new additions coming to the Bright Lights line this spring—Bright Lights White, Bright Lights Purple and Bright Lights Berry Rose. These new varieties stand out by combining unique colors, better branching, fuller habit, and dual cold and heat tolerance for a sales window extending from spring into fall.
"As we approach the cool, early fall season, we all know that it’s time to start planning for early spring, particularly what crops to grow. Pansies, hyacinths, daffodils—we know the drill. But customers are looking for more. They are hungry for color and diversity, and ready to buy."
Molten Pearl
Osteospermum love the cool to cold of spring. The Bright Lights line is, for the most part, daylength neutral which means that regardless of your location, these plants will flower when you need them to—right on cue. Here Proven Winners gives some tips for success when growing this series.
Osteos like a mid pH range between 5.8 and 6.2. This will keep the maximum nutrient range available. Make sure your soil mix is fresh and sterile. A start charge can be added but be sure to monitor the EC. Because you will eventually cool the crop down, the EC should be on the lower side; we recommend <1.0. As the crop is growing, avoid ammonium-based fertilizers as this can cause unwanted stretch. Be sure to keep the phosphorus on the lower side (less than 2%) to help control the size of the plant.
When rooting out the Osteos, start them a bit warmer; Proven Winners recommend 55-68°F. This will get the crop growing and settle the roots into the soil. Once the crop is filling the pots and buds are visible in the growing tips, you can grow on the crop in the 45-55°F range. This will tone and improve the quality of the crop as it finishes. It is possible to get a warm spell in the cool of spring. When this happens, remember to not sacrifice the light quality for temperature control. Osteospermum need high light for best quality, and shading in warm temps will only promote unwanted stretch.
For more information:
Proven Winners
111 E Elm St Ste D
Sycamore, IL 60178
www.provenwinners.com