Page 3 - 2015 Spring Gazette
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SUCCULENTS101:
A Grower’s Guide
Image: Blue Atoll echeveria
By Lucy Blohm and Mark Lasich, lents consists of two 50-cell and two 84-cell Media - A well-drained, well-aerated
SHS Griffin Product Specialists trays. The assorted sempervivum is offered (coarse) soil mix is recommended. Many
in an 84-cell tray. growers use a container mix of peat, coir,
Succulents certainly aren’t new, but their composted bark and as much as 30%-50%
surging popularity has shown some real Also available from EuroAmerican are Savvy of perlite, scoria or similar.
staying power. Designers and home Succulents Dish Gardens in three sizes: 8",
gardeners alike have rediscovered these 10" and 12". Each dish garden is retail-ready, Water - Water management is key.
low-maintenance beauties for everything featuring a mix of premium succulents. Water regularly, but avoid overwatering.
from container gardens, windowsill displays They’re grown in optimal production Once established, succulents should be
and table centerpieces. The trend is truly conditions for several weeks to allow allowed to dry down between irrigations.
universal, drawing consumers in every adequate rooting and mingling, ensuring Water early enough in the day to avoid
region of the country. quality and longevity. All Savvy Succulents wet foliage overnight. Good airflow is also
recipes have been extensively trialed; each important to encourage drying cycles
Succulents are big business. Adding them dish garden is visually appealing with a between irrigations.
to your production is simpler than you may variation of color, shape, texture and height.
think, and an opportunity to capitalize on a Temperature - Keep night temperatures
category that continues to grow. In addition Esbenshades’ FlexQ Liners give growers above 55°F and daytime temperatures of
to the range of color, texture and form that the ability to order a range of succulents in at least 65-70°F. Cold-hardy varieties of
inspires consumers, succulents offer some small quantities. The Flex Q trays come in sedums, sempervivums and delospermas
unique benefits to growers: They’re suited two forms: Most varieties are available in a can be treated as hardy perennials. Extreme
to quick turns with minimal input costs, 25-cell strip (a division from a 75-cell tray), high temperatures paired with high humidity
and their niche status commands premium while some more compact varieties are should be avoided, as these conditions can
prices. What’s not to love? offered in a 50-cell strip (half of a 102-cell promote disease.
tray). Minimum order requirements are quite
Echeveria, crassula and kalanchoe are great reasonable at nine strips for the 25s and six Light Levels - High light is best for develop-
choices for first-time succulent growers for the 50s. The FlexQ succulents program ing strong leaf coloration in succulents. Low
serving frost-free applications. For growers spans more than 30 varieties. Tags are also light levels can be temporarily offset with dry
serving warm and cool climates, consider available upon request. soil conditions, but only for a short period
starting with sedum, sempervivium and/or of time.
delosperma—all are known to shine at retail. Growers seeking a more diverse program
Getting started with succulents is easier should consider Tessera Succulents from Fertilization - 150 ppm N is recommend-
than ever, with several options available from Plug Connection. The Tessera assortment ed, though take special care to avoid over-
SHS Griffin vendors. includes more than 100 varieties, offering fertilizing. Fertilize more once plants are
terrific range in color, texture and shape. well established and actively growing. For
Vendor Programs Choose from monoculture, single-genus large-scale production, a granular or slow-
The Go & Grow Savvy Succulents Kit, from mixes or multispecies assortments in 72- release fertilizer can be applied to the soil
Pleasant View Gardens, is perfect for small or 102-cell trays; the program is easily surface at medium rates when all other pro-
to mid-size growers, and anyone looking adaptable to suit production needs as duction conditions are optimal. Take special
to try a succulents program for the first well as local and regional preferences. care to avoid excessive amounts of feed in
time. Each kit contains a pre-selected mix Picture tags are available for every variety the growing points of rosette types.
of top-selling varieties, enough to yield 64 in the Tessera assortment to jumpstart your
finished containers (32 each of two grower- merchandising efforts. Growth Regulation - PGRs aren’t
suggested recipes). The kits include 8" necessary; however, sedums can be
decorative bowls and a full set of tags— Production Guidelines pinched to achieve fuller finished plants.
everything you need for finishing. Crop Timing - Timing may vary by variety Minimal irrigation and high light levels are
and production container size. Succulents, encouraged to keep plants compact and
EuroAmerican Propagators offers both of course, need not be in flower at the time deter stretching.
Savvy Succulents and sempervivum as of sale. Contact your SHS Griffin sales
Mixed and Mingled grower’s choice tray representative for detailed crop times based
assortments. The assorted Savvy Succu- on your program needs.
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