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Ernst Benary of America has put together a simple two-plant hanging basket that combines the heat tolerance and mounding habit of the annual ‘Graffiti Rose’ pentas with the cascading habit and silver-green foliage of the perennial ‘Silvana’ hypericum. As one of Benary’s Colorful Combinations, it uses two plants that have been selected to perform with each other in the same container to provide color, texture and appeal.
Benary’s Colorful Combinations offer several tried-and-true companion plants that perform under a wide array of conditions.
The Colorful Combination program offers ideas for combinations throughout the growing season. From bright spring flowering containers to the vibrant shades of autumn containers, this comprehensive assortment offers ideas for color combinations in any season. A broad list of complementary annual and perennial items offer growers many ideas for unique and interesting combinations.
Graffiti pentas can be used in containers, hanging baskets or the landscape. These heat tolerant plants thrive in the harshest garden situations.
Although ‘Silvana’ hypericum is a perennial (hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 7-9), it’s grown mainly for its foliage and should be treated as an annual. It’s a great component for mixed containers and hanging baskets. Its stems will grow 12-24 inches long, and it will continue to cascade throughout the summer.
If ‘Silvana’ receives cold temperature vernalization, it will flower. The bright yellow flowers are about 2 inches wide. Flowers occur naturally throughout the summer.
Hanging baskets are ready 12-16 weeks after transplanting plugs.
For more: Ernst Benary of America Inc., (815) 756 4546; www.benary.com.
| PRODUCTION |
| • ‘Graffiti Rose’ pentas: Sow seed in a growing medium with a pH range of 6.5-7.2. Don’t cover seed as light increases germination rate and improves seedling uniformity. Maintain uniform medium moisture levels and humidity levels above 95 percent. Stage I temperatures of 75°F-80°F optimize germination. Begin light feeding with 25-50 parts per million nitrogen. During Stage II gradually reduce temperatures to 70°F-75°F. Increase fertilization levels to 50-75 ppm nitrate nitrogen in a well-balanced mix. Increasing light levels to 1,000 footcandles improves seedling quality and plug uniformity. For 14-21 days during Stage III, gradually lower temperatures to 65°F-70°F. Increase light levels to 2,500 footcandles and feed at 75-100 ppm calcium nitrate in a well-balanced mix. Keep plug pH between 6.6 and 6.8 for both Stages III and IV. During Stage IV, increase fertilization to 100-150 ppm nitrogen and decrease temperatures gradually to 62°F-67°F. Transplant plugs into hanging baskets. Grow on at 65°F-70°F. Fertilize at 100-150 ppm nitrogen in a well-balanced mix. Pentas roots release hydrogen ions into the growing medium, which drop the pH to toxic levels if not monitored and adjusted. Maintain a medium pH level between 6.5-6.8 to avoid magnesium deficiencies or iron toxicity. Low magnesium levels cause leaf puckering. Overwatering and cool temperatures, below 50°F delay flowering. • ‘Silvana’ hypericum: Seed should be covered lightly with vermiculite. Maintain the growing medium at a uniform moisture level and a temperature of 65°F-72°F. Gradually reduce the medium temperature to 60°F-65°F and reduce the medium moisture level. Shade plants during plug stages. Transplant plugs about eight to 10 weeks after sowing. Maintain temperature of 60°F. |
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