It is time to prepare your crops for next spring and with this new pelargonium series, Vivero International wants to point out a special crop timing that may require your order to be placed this summer instead of the regular springtime.
Vivero Internacional and PlantHaven introducing the Pelargonium series Tall Dark & Handsome. "This vigorous Zonal Pelargonium performs the best on trellis, where it can climb up to finishing height of to 5 feet. Beside the tall display with the shower of flowers, the Tall Dark & Handsome varieties also get attention because of its black strong zoning of the leaves that makes them almost look black", says Dominik Neisser of Vivero Internacional.
TALL DARK & HANDSOME® Blood Orange and Hot Pink. Click here for the TALL DARK & HANDSOME® Portfolio
"As you can see on the pictures, this can be quite a show on your retail display and of course is an eye catcher on the porch of your customers."
According to Neisser, Tall Dark & Handsome collection is not a normal mass crop variety. "It is a side variety that gives your Pelargonium assortment a special touch and finds the customer that is looking for the special something, that they cannot find on every retail location."
This exceptional tall Pelargonium must be grown with more crop time than the usual Zonal 4 inch or 6-inch pots, he explains.
"Instead of receiving it in January or February, where it takes valuable headed space in the greenhouse, it is a good strategy to use empty greenhouse space in August and September to grow this crop ahead. With natural days and sunny fall days the plants can gain volume and establish their roots until head is required in the greenhouses. Then plants can be stored pot tight in a frost-free environment for overwintering."
In February plants can return to growth modus by putting them in warmer climate with 70 degrees day temperature and 60 degrees night temperature. "In this warm environment plants will flush more side shoots and initial flower buds from head to bottom. This strategy guaranties a blooming firework on the beginning of May, ready to impress for Mothers Day."
Cuttings for this unusual Pelargonium are available from mid-August from Vivero International out of Mexico.
Additional crop growing information:
Pot Size:
- 10 inch with 1 ppp
- 12 inch with 1 to 2 ppp
- 16 inch with 3 ppp
Plants need to be provided a growing trellis like tomato planter or bamboo/metal sticks of 4 to 6 feet height.
Soil Mix: Peat Moss Perlite mix best for Pelargonium growing.
pH/EC: 6.2-6.6/1.0-1.6
Fertilizer 250 ppm constant liquid feed at growing stage.
No growth regulator necessary
Pinch only when final height is reached to have plants filled the trellis below with side shoots.
Because plants are propagating in the summer climate, Florel spray is advised to prevent flower initialing during the fall month.
Approximate finishing time
- 2ft Pillar 10-15 weeks
- 5ft Pillar 20-25 weeks
For more information
Vivero Internacional
Dominik Neisser
1244 Old Stage Rd
Fallbrook, CA 92028
E-Mail: Dominik@vivero.info
www.viverointl.com