Crop Culture Report: Series: Silene Carol Jean
Production Seasons: Spring / Summer
Customer Use: Landscape / Rock Gardens / Groundcover
Notes: The Carol Jean Series performs best in high heat. It is daylength neutral and requires no vernalization, but cool temperatures will delay flowering.
USDA Hardiness Zone: zone 5 – 10
Crop planning from cell packs:
Pot size: Plants per pot (pp) Crop Time (weeks)
4.5” pot 1 pp 7 to 9
6” pot 1 pp 9 to 11
12” HB 3 pp 9 to 11
Finishing Culture: Silene prefers even moisture, severe dry down will cause bud abortion.
pH: 6.2 – 7.2
Fertilizer Requirements: 100 to 125 ppm N using a balanced feed to maintain color of foliage. Include Micro element source as part of fertilizer solution. Soil should be consistently moist for best performance during the growing season and well drained during winter cold temperatures. Do not allow soil to dry completely between irrigations or damage may occur to fine leaves. Calcium and Potassium based fertilizers are ideal for quality plant growth.
Temperature Requirements:
Temperatures at 50°-65° F (10°-18° C) Nights
65°-75° F (18° -24° C) Days
Silene will tolerate a wide range of temperatures and will grow well in as high of temperatures as 105° F (40° C). Cooler night temperatures will delay flowering.
Pinching Requirements: Carol Jean Series is well branched and naturally compact but must be pinched once to break apical dominance. Soft pinch rooted cuttings, leaving 4 to 5 nodes at transplant or shortly after transplanting into final containers. .
Growth Regulators: High light levels are best control of petiole height. B-9 is the most economical PGR, spray at 1,500 to 2,500 PPM. They will respond to Bonzi® and Sumagic®. Use at labeled rates.
Pests/Disease: Spider Mites, Slugs and Whitefly and Caterpillars.
Rhizoctonia & Pythium are of primary concern. Preventative drenches / sprays are recommended for crop.
