Simplify growing with Topflor

Photo © Dr. Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University

Growing plants of perfect size and shape requires control. Aggressive or unwanted vegetative growth must be moderated to produce plants that meet market expectations or are appropriate for the pot size. Some plants may have to be stimulated to promote branching. You may also have to control growth so that all plants on the same bench or in the same bay are uniform in size, shape and bloom time. All these actions must be done without impacting the production schedule or the number and timing of flowers.

Growing plants is also a process that is full of surprises. A new genetic or cultivar may be more or less vigorous than what you have grown in the past. Perhaps the new fertility program pushes plant growth a bit more aggressively than necessary. Maybe the plants are stretching because of a warm or cloudy week. You may have to keep the plants from growing but not lock up blooms when customers are kept indoors because of poor weather.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are valuable in controlling growth, handling surprises and finishing crops strong with the quality, timing and uniformity your clients expect. One of the most versatile, effective and economical PGRs that can help you achieve all of the expectations above is Topflor (flurprimidol) from SePRO.

Topflor means flexibility and predictability

Topflor is ideal for any kind of plants you produce, whether they are bedding plants, perennials, foliage or potted crops. Decades of research by SePRO, as well as university and independent researchers have identified the optimal application rates, methods and timing for 75 plant genera. And the list is growing!

Visit sepro.com/hort/topflor-liquid or contact your local SePRO technical specialist for the list.

Decades of research also demonstrate that the dose response of Topflor on many plant species is highly consistent and predictable. This step-like reduction in plant size along increasing application rate has been shown for chrysanthemum, poinsettia, vinca, New Guinea impatiens, Easter lilies, oriental lilies, tulips and more. That means you can expect consistent heights or sizes from specific application rates. That also means you can select the optimal application rates that can produce plants that perfectly meet your expectations.

Topflor is readily absorbed by roots, stems and leaves, which allows Topflor to be applied through spray, drench, sprench, dip, soak or chemigation. This flexibility allows you to select the application method that is most suitable for your production practices and management goals. Application to media or roots/bulbs requires low application rates while achieving the results you expect economically.

Multiple independent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Topflor is not impacted by the substrates or mulches most commonly used in floriculture: peat moss, wood fiber, coconut coir, nutshell or rice hulls. When sprayed, Topflor also doesn’t require the use of wetting agents.

Experience from growers and research have shown that Topflor can be used on any crop with any application method at any time in your production cycle. This is one of the ways Topflor simplifies your production process.

Topflor means results and safety

Plants produced with Topflor have several wonderful characteristics. Topflor works by shortening stem internodes, so the treated plants have shorter stems and are therefore more compact. The shorter stems are also stronger and sturdier, which minimizes stem breakage during packing and shipping. Chloroplasts in Topflor-treated plants are more concentrated, which gives leaves a greener color and the plants a better tone. The consistent activity of Topflor produces uniformly compact growth and desirable tone.

Topflor has higher activity than other PGRs, which allows you to achieve control with lower rates and fewer applications. While highly effective, Topflor has a lower risk of overregulation compared to other PGRs, such as paclobutrazol and uniconazole. That means Topflor will not lock up growth or flowering and is more forgiving when over-applied than other PGRs.

Topflor can do what other growth-regulating PGRs do, but with greater flexibility, predictability, efficacy and safety. You can simplify your growing process by replacing other PGRs with Topflor without sacrificing the results and flexibility you expect. We have established conversion rates for Topflor, paclobutrazol and uniconazole, which can assist you with converting your existing PGR program to Topflor.

Visit sepro.com/hort/topflor-liquid or contact your local SePRO technical specialist on the conversion ratios among Topflor, paclobutrazol and uniconazole.

Topflor is economical

Topflor performs best as part of a season-long growth regulation program. Topflor applied at regular intervals and at a low rate after transplant provides tightly regulated growth to achieve the precise appearance you want. Topflor is also useful at finishing: Growers can apply a low-rate drench during the final two to three weeks of the crop cycle to hold or tone plants without causing delays in flowering or bract coloring.

The lower rate and application frequency make Topflor one of the most economical PGRs on the market. As an example, research demonstrated that one spray at the optimal rate is sufficient in producing pot mums of desirable characteristics. That means you do not need to make the second or additional applications, saving you time and money.

In poinsettia production, two drench applications of Topflor, one at 0.2 ppm after pinching (or two split applications of 0.1 ppm) and another at 0.5 to 1 ppm at finished size can produce the same quality as the traditional B-Nine/Altercel program (four applications). The Topflor program costs 10 cents per gallon of solution, whereas the traditional B-Nine/Altercel program costs more than $8 per gallon of solution.

Topflor is the clear choice for your operation. It can be used on any type of plants you grow. It is flexible in application, predictable in response and achieves the results you expect at lower rates and with fewer applications. Topflor is economical without sacrificing results.

If Topflor is new to your program, we recommend testing several starting rates to dial down to the precise rate that achieves your expected quality. We’ve developed dilution tables and rate guidance for over 75 ornamental genera, and our technical team is available to help you fine-tune application timing and methods based on crop, environment and production goals. Visit sepro.com/hort for more information.

Juang Horng (JC) Chong, Ph.D., is the technical development manager for ornamentals at SePRO Corporation.