Ptilotus exaltatus

With as much attention as growers, landscapers and consumers are paying to water restrictions in many parts of the country, Benary’s new Ptilotus exaltatus ‘Joey’ is a plant worth considering. It is both heat and drought tolerant and works exceptionally well in the landscape with pentas, vinca and verbena.

This native of central Australia continually produces 3- to 4-inch-long, conical spikes of feathery flowers on top of thick, silver-green foliage. Its bottlebrush-shaped flower spikes are silver with a darker neon-pink color near the tips.

Joey can be used as a specimen pot plant, an accent plant in mixed containers or as a garden plant in the landscape where it reaches 12-15 inches tall and 12 inches wide. This annual is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 9-10.

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Offered as ApeX Seed, sow one seed per plug cell (288- or 125-cell trays) containing a well-drained growing medium with a pH of 5.5-6.5 and an electrical conductivity of 0.5-0.7. Germination occurs in five to seven days at 76°F-80°F. Do not overwet the substrate and maintain a medium moisture level. Excess moisture during the plug stage causes uneven germination. Produce plugs on the dry side similar to verbena plugs.

During plug Stage 2, maintain temperatures of 76°F-80°F and a moderate medium moisture level. Provide a high light level (2,500 footcandles). Gradually lower temperatures to 70°F-76°F.

In Stage 3, maintain a low moisture level. Begin feeding 50-75 parts per million nitrogen with a low phosphorus formula.

During Stage 4, reduce the temperature to 65°F. Continue fertilization at 75-100 ppm nitrogen. Allow the medium to adequately dry out between waterings.

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Transplant plugs six to eight weeks after sowing into finished containers filled with a well-drained medium. Plant one plug per 4- and 6-inch pot and three plugs per 1-gallon container. Don’t plant more than one plug in 4- or 6-inch pots because roots fill in quickly and plants can become root bound.

Do not overwater and feed at 100-150 ppm nitrogen, avoiding excess phosphorus and calcium levels. Grow on at 65°F-70°F. Higher light levels promote shorter, better-branched plants with larger flowers. It’s a day-neutral plant, but high light levels or supplemental lighting (high-intensity discharge) at all stages of production improve plant quality.

Transplant plugs as scheduled and do not let plants become root bound. Like ornamental millet, if Ptilotus becomes root bound, it never really recovers. The plant continues to grow, but the root system is stunted and will not support the weight of the plant, making it very floppy.

Ptilotus doesn’t have any major disease or insect problems. Plants prefer drier growing conditions so watch for root-related problems if the medium is wet. Under higher humidity and moisture levels, monitor for Botrytis on the flowers.

Specifics

Name: Ptilotus exaltatus ‘Joey.’

Crop timing: From sowing to finish, crop time is 12 weeks for 4-inch pots, 14 weeks for 6-inch pots and 16 weeks for 1-gallon containers produced from 288-size plugs.

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Grower benefits: This is an is easy-to-grow plant that is a quick crop with few pest and disease problems. It can be grown as a specimen container plant, combination component or for the landscape.

May 2008