University research

By Dennis Carey, Wayne Buhler, Ingram McCall, and Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University

We evaluated the efficacy of Configure on increasing the number of chicks being produced on mother plants. Rooted mother plants of ‘Red Heart’ and ‘Green Wheel’ were obtained in 102-cell trays. Plants were transplanted March 8 into 4-inch round pots containing a peat-based substrate.

Configure was applied as a single foliar spray at 0, 50, 100, 200 or 400 ppm with a spray volume of 2 quarts per 100 square feet. Plants were grown in a greenhouse with temperature set points of 75°F days and 65°F nights under natural photoperiod. The number of basal shoots was recorded 8 weeks after the treatment. The experiment was repeated with five additional cultivars (‘Dark Cloud,’ ‘Neptune,’ ‘Red Devils Food,’ ‘Rubicon Improved’ and hybrid species Sempervivum cantabricum × montanum var. striacum).

Configure is very effective on Hens and Chicks at increasing the number of offsets that form. Out of seven cultivars that were trialed, five had an increase in the offset number. The ideal concentration of Configure for Hens and Chicks is between 200 to 400 ppm and the number of offsets increased from 2.5 to 10 times over the untreated plants (Figure 1).

Overall, a foliar spray of Configure to Sempervivum is an excellent method of increasing the number of chicks produced. Cultivar response did vary, so grower trials should be conducted to evaluate the optimal rate.

Key Points:

• Apply Configure 14 days after plug transplant (when the plants are rooted and actively growing).
• Target a rate of 200 to 400 ppm. Lower rates may be effective.
• Complete spray coverage required.

Configure at 400 ppm (plants at the right) significantly increased the number of chicks produced on both ‘Green Wheel’ (L) and ‘Red Heart’ (R) as compared to the untreated control (plants at the left).