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Bedding Plant Production
Competencies: 10.00-13.00
Bedding Plant Production Categories (Click to view) Begonias Geraniums Impatiens Marigolds Pansies Petunias
Potential Problems Media Transplanting
Begonias Grow 6”-12” high
with pink, red, or white flowers
Spaced 6”-10” apart and need direct sunlight
May be propagated from seeds or cuttings and transplanted
Begonias Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 14 weeks (16 weeks in pots) Small seeds should be lightly pressed into
surface of germinating medium Germination requires light and 65-70
degree F medium temperature Can be propagated by stem cuttings Plants do well in full sun to shade
Geraniums Grow 12”-18” Dark green leaves are
rounded with scalloped edges
Flowers are red, white, or pink and grow on a stem
Flowers have many petals in a cluster shaped like a ball
Geraniums About 2/3 of all geraniums sold are red Direct sunlight is needed 10”-12” spacing is needed May be propagated from seeds or cuttings
and transplanted
Geraniums Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 14 weeks (16 weeks in pots) Seeds are large and have to be scarified
because of hard seed coats Seed suppliers usually scarify before
packing for sale. Seeds should be coved with 1/8 inch of medium
Medium should be about 75 degrees F.
Impatiens Grow 6”-18” high
and have succulent stems
Lance shaped leaves Flower colors include
pink, lavender, white, red, purple, salmon, and coral.
Impatiens Flowers are small and round with five
petals One flower petal is shaped like a tube that
protrudes from the underside of the flower Spaced 12”-18” and needs partial sun or
shade May be propagated from seeds or cuttings
Impatiens Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 8 weeks Seeds should be placed on surface of
medium and covered lightly Germination requires light and temperature
of 60-70 degrees F Have been the number one bedding crop
for many years Grow well in shade
Marigolds Grow from 6” to 4’
tall Orange or yellow
flowers have a pungent aroma
Spaced 6”-12” apart and grow best in full sunlight
Grown from seeds and transplanted
Marigolds Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 9 weeks (10 weeks in pots) Seeds should be covered by ¼” of
germinating medium Medium should be 70-75 degrees F Outdoor plants should grow in full sun for
best quality Very few cultural problems
Pansies Grow from 6-8” tall Moon-faced flowers in
many colors (blue, purple, yellow, white, pink, red)
Spaced 6-8” in full sun Grown from seeds and
transplanted Cool-season bedding
plant
Pansies Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 12 weeks (13 weeks in pots) Seeds should be planted on surface of
medium and covered with paper to keep dark
Germination medium should be 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Grow in full sun
Petunias Grow from 6”-18”
tall Flowers have a tube-
shaped base Colors include red,
pink, white, blue, and pastels
Spaced 10”-12” Grown from seeds
and transplanted
Petunias Time from seeding to market in packs is about 10
weeks (11 weeks in pots) Sow seeds on surface of medium Seeds are very small (285,000 per ounce) Need light and 70-80 degrees F germinating
medium temperature Many different types and colors One of top five annuals in the U.S. for over 100
years
Potential Problems (Click to view) Cultural Disorders
• Germination Problems• Fertilization Problems• Uneven growth• Tall and spindly growth
Diseases• Seedlings falling over• Lower leaves brown, rotting, and drying
Insects• Plants missing• Holes in leaves or plant parts missing
Cultural-Germination Problems Causes
Improper temperatures Over-watering or underwatering Chemical residues in medium Seed planting depth Low quality seeds
Cultural-Germination Problems Correction or Prevention
Use high-quality seeds Plant at proper depth Use medium with no chemical residues Maintain proper temperatures Maintain proper moisture levels
Cultural-Fertilization Problems Causes
Lack of nutrients Root injury Improper pH of
medium Excessive
fertilization
Manganese Deficiency
Cultural-Fertilization Problems Correction or Prevention
Test soil or media Apply correct amounts and kinds of nutrients Use pH correcting materials
Cultural-Uneven Growth Causes
Poor mixing of medium Uneven moisture levels Unlevel flats Poor grading of seedlings
Cultural-Uneven Growth Correction or Prevention
Proper mixing of media Even watering Grading seedlings by size and quality Placing flats level
Cultural-Tall and Spindly Growth Causes
Too much nitrogen fertilizer Overwatering Low light intensity (too much shade) High temperatures
Cultural-Tall and Spindly Growth Correction or Prevention
Use the correct amount of nitrogen Reduce frequency of watering Lower temperature Provide more light Use growth retardant such as B-Nine SP
Diseases-Seedlings Falling Over Causes
Stem rot Damping-off
Diseases-Seedlings Falling Over Correction or Prevention
Use sterilized media Apply fungicides Improve air circulation around plants
Diseases-Brown, rotting leaves Causes
Botrytis
Diseases-Brown, rotting leaves Correction or Prevention
Increase air temperature Increase air circulation around plants Use proper fungicide
Insects-Plants Missing Causes
Slugs Snails Cockroaches
Insects-Plants Missing Correction or
Prevention Use baits and
pesticides
Insects-Holes in Leaves Causes
Aphids Mealy Bugs Scale Insects Thrips Whiteflies Flea beetles Fungus Gnats
Leaf miners Cutworms Caterpillars
Insects-Holes in Leaves Correction or
Prevention Use of
recommended pesticides to control insects
Bedding Plant Media Media-materials used to start and grow
plants Soil Inorganic materials Commercially prepared mixes
Soil Soil must be mixed with other materials
such as peat moss to add organic matter and improve aeration and drainage.
Inorganic Materials Improve aeration and drainage
Sand-finely ground stone Gravel Perlite
Expanded volcanic rock Neutral pH 7.0-7.5 sterile
Vermiculite Expanded mica sterile
Commercially Prepared Mixes Sterile (no insects, weeds, or diseases)
Jiffy-Mix Redi-Earth Pro-Mix Sunshine Mix Metro Mix Other brands also available
Containers Flat-plastic tray used for planting seeds Cell packs-several small cell-like pots of
plastic molded together used for planting one or two seeds per cell Sold without transplanting to another
container Peat pots can be planted directly in the soil Jiffy 7 pellet can be planted directly in the
soil
Containers Plastic pots of various sizes and shapes Clay pots of various sizes and shapes Styrofoam pots of various sizes Hanging baskets Standard pot is the same width at the top as
it is high Azalea pot is ¾ as high as its top diameter
or width
Transplanting Instructions1. Seedlings should have true leaves not just
seed leaves or cotyledons before being transplanted. Waiting too long to transplant causes shock to transplanted seedlings.
Transplanting Instructions2. Hold plants by their leaves. Do not hold
by the stem because a badly bruised stem will cause the seedling to die.
3. The media may need to be loosened with a pot label to keep from breaking stem and roots. Do not shake medium off roots.
Transplanting Instructions4. Use a dibble or other
means to make a hole for the transplanting seedling.
Transplanting Instructions5. Plant seedling in the media in the new
container slightly deeper than it grew in the flat and gently press media around roots.
Transplanting Instructions6. Water gently to settle
media around roots.
Transplanting Instructions7. Keep moist for a few days to prevent
wilting and dying.
8. Grow and harden-off before selling.