Culture Report: Calibrachoa
Home gardeners are looking for vibrant, easy-care color. Calibrachoa offers so many bold color options and style forms, it’s easy to see why it is becoming a grower and a consumer favorite. Calibrachoa also offers a lot of flexibility.
Different series have different growth habits, doing unique jobs in the garden. From beautiful combinations, hanging baskets or in a quart for do-it-yourself gardeners, its versatility makes calibrachoa a go-to plant.
For growers, finding the perfect calibrachoa to fit different needs can be challenging. At Danziger we are working hard to make the process of choosing and growing calibrachoa easier. Our technology-driven breeding processes combined with a passion for color and form have created a unique calibrachoa series for each type of use.
“Because we develop and trial our calibrachoa in Israel, every Danziger variety offers built-in heat tolerance and exceptional disease resistance,” said Ori Danziger, deputy CEO. “Our breeding focus is consistently in tune with nature. We are looking for ways to work with nature to make things easier for growers without sacrificing a beautiful result. Each calibrachoa series is tested around the globe before it is brought to market, ensuring top-quality performance for growers and season-long enjoyment for home gardeners.”
Danziger’s breeding work is also focusing on expanding selections and pushing the boundaries of beauty, especially when it comes to novelty calibrachoa. By broadening color range, habit and novelty offerings, Danziger has added diversity and creativity to its calibrachoa line.
“It is a complete line, with high- quality genetics growers can count on,” added Ori Danziger. “We have everything growers need in one place, which saves time and money.”
Here are a few tips for choosing and growing calibrachoa.
MONITOR YOUR pH
Every Danziger calibrachoa — no mater the series — is tested for pH sensitivity. Danziger’s breeding work has developed varieties that can tolerate a higher pH. But it is very important for growers to know and monitor the pH of their water.
This information allows growers to make good decisions about other additives such as fertilizer and acid injections. We recommend trying to maintain an ideal soil pH of 5.2 to 5.8.
STAY AHEAD OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
All Danziger varieties are screened for powdery mildew. However, strains are different all around the world.
We recommend that growers use a protective spray for powdery mildew. Applying the protective spray before you hang your basket can help save you time and effort.
WHEN CREATING COMBOS, MATCH YOUR GROWTH HABIT
If you’re creating your own container or hanging basket combinations, be sure you choose varieties with matching growth habits. Neither growers nor home gardeners want a hanging basket where one variety overtakes the whole design. Matching growth habits of all the varieties you choose to put into a combo creates a long-lasting basket or patio pot that looks great at retail and provides a good experience for the home gardener. For example, our COLIBRI series plays very well with our CAPELLA petunias and the VANESSA COMPACT series to create a classic three plant combination.
If you’re looking to make selecting varieties for containers and baskets even easier, Danziger’s DuraBella plant combinations take away all the guess work. These two-, and three plant recipes feature curated combos that have been tested for garden performance. The varieties pair well together and grow well throughout the season, creating colorful, long-lasting containers.
TIPS FOR SELECTING AND GROWING CALIBRACHOA
Danziger makes choosing the right calibrachoa for the job easy with series specific varieties. Whether you’re growing hanging baskets, high-end combos, quarts or packs there is a Danziger calibrachoa to fit your need.
COLIBRI
The COLIBRI Series is Danziger’s controlled growth calibrachoa. Perfect for 6-packs, small pots and tidy hanging baskets, with little to no PGR needed. Known for its loads of vibrant colored blooms, COLIBRI is also available in new Abstract and Bling patterns.
Growing Tips
- COLIBRI will benefit from B-9 application in Week 4, if needed. COLIBRI will always be later for PGR applications, but check starting the second week. Be sure to follow label directions.
- We recommend applying Daconil the day of sticking with an application again at Week 2.
- Pinch at Week 3 after stick.
- Keep pH levels between 5.6 and 6.0 throughout the 12 weeks.
- Keep temperatures between 72 and 74 degrees in Weeks 1 and 2, 68 to 72 in Week 3, then reduce to 65 to 68 in Weeks 4 through 12.
- Feed50ppmNinmistinWeeks1and 2, 65-80 ppm N in Week 3, increasing to 100 – 200 ppm in Weeks 4-12.
OMBRE
The OMBRE series offers a multi- hued blend of color all on one plant, making it a natural for monoculture containers. Its controlled, semi-trailing habit make it a great choice for color- filled hanging baskets.
Growing Tips
- We recommend applying Daconil the day of sticking with an application again at Week 2.
- Pinch at Week 3 after stick.
- B-9 can be used to control unwanted growth from sticking until finish as needed. Start watching at Week 3. Environment is the driving factor. Be sure to follow all label directions.
- Keep pH levels between 5.6 and 6.2 throughout the 12 weeks.
- Keep temperatures between 72 and 74 degrees in Weeks 1 and 2, 68 to 72 in Week 3, then reduce to 65 to 68 in Weeks 4 through 12.
- Feed 100 – 150 ppm in Weeks 4-12.
- Paclobutruzol Drench at 2ppm can be effective, drench as needed to keep from stretching.
LIA
Choose the LIA Series for hanging baskets and container combos. This medium-vigor variety features controlled growth in a semi-trailing habit and is available in several vivid colors and unique patterns.
Growing Tips
- We recommend applying Daconil the day of sticking with an application again at Week 2.
- Pinch at Week 3 after stick.
- Keep pH levels between 5.6 and 6.2 throughout the 12 weeks.
- B-9 can be used to control unwanted growth from sticking until finish as needed. Start watching at Week 3. Environment is the driving factor. Be sure to follow all label directions.
- Keep temperatures between 72 and 74 degrees in Weeks 1 and 2, 68 to 72 in Week 3, then reduce to 65 to 68 in Weeks 4 through 12.
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Feed 100 – 150 ppm in Weeks 4-12.
EYECONIC
If you’re looking for eye-catching blooms, choose EYECONIC. This large, eye-type calibrachoa features strong contrasting color on every bloom. Its stunning flower power creates captivating baskets and combinations.
Growing Tips
- We recommend applying Daconil the day of sticking with an application again at Week 2.
- Pinch at Week 3 after stick.
- B-9 can be used to control unwanted growth from sticking until finish as needed. Start watching at Week 3. Environment is the driving factor. Be sure to follow all label directions.
- Keep pH levels between 5.6 and 6.2 throughout the 12 weeks.
- Keep temperatures between 65 and 74 degrees in Weeks 1, 2, and 3. 65 to 68 in Weeks 4 through 12.
- Feed 100 – 150 ppm in Weeks 4-12.
- Paclobutruzol Drench at 2ppm can be effective, drench as needed to keep from stretching.
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