BIG® DeluXXe

Culture guide

Usage

Packs, Pots, Hanging Baskets, Mixed Containers and Landscape

Sowing method

1-2 seeds or pellets per plug

Germination

Optimum conditions for seedling development, beginning on the day of sowing until radicle emergence. Expect radicle emergence in 6-8 days.

Media

Plug Culture:
Begin with a saturated (5) for the first 10 days and on day 11 begin to dry them back slightly to wet (4). This will help in the seedlings rooting into the media. On day 11 begin to alternate between a wet (4) and a moist (3) until day 21. On day 21 it is critical to begin a good wet to dry cycle to prevent algae growth and help with the uptake of nutrients. At this point you can alternate between a wet (4) and a medium (2).
Growing On:
Alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2). Let plants dry back to at least a medium (2) before re-saturating to a wet (4). Extremely dry plants will have a grayish cast to the leaves. Avoid watering plants under high temperature and light when the leaf temperature is excessive. This can cause leaf burn.

Temperature

Plug Culture:
72–76 °F (22–24 °C) days 1–11. For irrigation use warm water (above 64 °F / 18 °C) only.
Growing On:
68–70 °F (20–21 °C) nights, 64–67 °F (18–19 °C) days for the first 14 days or until the roots reach the bottom of the container. Thereafter temperatures may be lowered to 62–65 °F (16–18 °C) day and night. An ADT (average daily temperature of 67 ˚F (19 ˚C) will give the fastest finished crop. Once well established in the final container, approximately two to three weeks after transplanting from a “288” plug tray the temperature can be lowered further to 56-58 ˚F (13-15 ˚C). This will keep the plants toned and prevents too large of leaves.

Fertilization

Plug Culture:
Maintain an EC < 1.0. Fertilized water should not exceed an EC of 0.5. Initial feeding should be with a balanced fertilizer low in ammonium. Begin feeding on day 10 with a 14-4-14, 14-2-14 or 17-5-17 fertilizer at 50–60 ppm.
Growing On:
Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because the foliage can grow very large. Avoid pH levels above 6.0, as high pH can cause iron deficiency. Watch for low Ca and Mg levels since this can result in stunted plants with marginal leaf edge burn. Under high light conditions use an ammonium based fertilizer (17-5-17) and under low light use a calcium based fertilizer (14-4-14¬).