January 2003

Growing Tips Directly from Proven Winners’ Trial Managers By This section is sponsored by Proven Winners -- A Better Garden Starts With A Better Plant.

As Proven Winners® introduces new varieties it isimportant to help you understand a little more about each of the new products.This will begin a series of tips that will offer helpful hints to have evengreater success with our new varieties — direct from the trial managers atProven Winners.

Superbells (TM) Calibrachoa

Superbells are neither as tall as Million Bells® ‘TerraCotta’ and ‘Cherry Pink’ nor as prostrate as Million Bells ‘Trailing Blue’ and’Trailing Pink’; instead, they mound on top of the pot and then trail over thesides. Production for Superbells is similar to other calibrachoas.

The pH should be kept between 5.5 and 6.0. Superbells ‘CoralPink’ and ‘White’ are the most sensitive to problems with pH or EC. Two hundredppm fertilizer constant liquid feed should be used with an extra weeklyapplication of 510 ppm fertilizer for mature, large containers.

Negative DIF can be used to control height with day temperaturesin the 60s and night temperatures in the high 60s. Plants can be held at45-50° F. Pinches should not be necessary after transplant, however,hanging baskets can benefit from a light pinch.

A 4-inch pot should finish in about four weeks from a liner.Superbells ‘Coral Pink’ may need up to one week extra to finish. Superbells areresponsive to Sumagic.

Superbells are not day-neutral but will all be in bloom bymid-April, with White needing the longest days to bloom. Under long-dayconditions they will all bloom at essentially the same time.

Superbena (TM) Verbena

Superbena are very vigorous, disease-tolerant verbenavarieties.

The pH should be kept between 5.5 and 6.0. Two hundred ppmfertilizer constant liquid feed should be used with an extra weekly applicationof 510 ppm fertilizer for mature, large containers. Negative DIF can be used tocontrol height with day temperatures in the 60s and night temperatures in thehigh 60s. Pinches should not be necessary after transplant; however, hangingbaskets may benefit from a light pinch. A 4-inch pot should finish in aboutfour weeks. Superbenas are responsive to Sumagic and other plant growthregulators ‘Burgundy’ and ‘Coral Red’ may be slightly more compact and mayrequire less growth regulator.

Symphony Osteospermum

The two new colors ‘Peach’ and ‘Vanilla’ can be produced thesame as all Symphony Osteospermum. The pH should be kept between 6 and 6.5. Twohundred ppm fertilizer constant liquid feed should be used with an extra weeklyapplication of 510 ppm fertilizer for mature, large containers. Negative DIFcan be used to control height with day temperatures in the 60s and nighttemperatures in the high 60s. Pinches should not be necessary after transplant;however, hanging baskets may benefit from a light pinch. Sumagic is effective.