The Jester cineraria (Senecio cruentus) series from Goldsmith Seeds is compact with a rounded habit. Plants flower uniformly across the color range (blue, carmine, crimson, pink, scarlet and a mixture). The series has the highest percentage of bicolors available (pink is not a bicolor). Plants can be produced in 4- to 6-inch pots for winter and spring sales. In the garden, plants reach 8-10 inches tall.
Sow seed (3,300-3,500 seeds per gram) in a well-drained medium with a pH of 6.2-6.5. Do not cover the seed; light is necessary for germination. Maintain high humidity to prevent desiccation. Keep growing medium moist but not saturated. Medium temperature should be 70°F-75°F.
During Stage 2, lower the temperature to 68°F-70°F and provide a maximum of 1,500 footcandles. Using HID lighting to provide long days (18 hours) during plug stages can reduce crop time by three to four weeks. If HID lighting is used, make sure plants are allowed to grow to an adequate size or you can end up with plants that flower too early.
Plants need light feed. Start with 50-75 parts per million weekly from a calcium-based (13-2-13) fertilizer during Stage 2. From Stage 3 until finish, feed with 100-150 ppm weekly with a calcium-based fertilizer.
Growing medium temperature should be 65°F-70°F during Stage 3 and 60°F-62°F during Stage 4. Light levels should be 2,500 footcandles during Stage 3 and 3,000 footcandles from Stage 4 through finish. Excessive light levels can result in leaf burn.
Plants are ready to be transplanted into final containers when they have three to four true leaves. Choose a well-drained medium with a pH of 5.9-6.2. Plants can be grown pot tight until leaves reach the pot rim. If plants are crowded, stretching can occur and disease can be a problem.
Irrigate plants early in the day, which gives leaves adequate time to dry. Allow the medium to dry out between waterings, but don't let plants wilt.
After transplant, maintain cool days with 60°F-62°F nights for two weeks. When plants have developed eight to 10 leaves and roots are actively growing, lower the temperature to 38°F-58°F to initiate flowering. A chilling period of four to five weeks promotes earlier flowering and large flower heads.
Once the chilling treatment is done, raise the night temperature to 60°F-62°F for finishing. The crop will flower in seven to nine weeks.
After the chilling treatment, a lower temperature (55°F-60°F) can be maintained to produce a more compact plant. However, flowering may be delayed at these lower temperatures.
Chemical growth regulators are not required, but growth can be easily controlled with B-Nine, DIF temperature manipulation, reduced watering or minimal ammonium fertilizer application.
Disease problems include pythium, botrytis, powdery mildew, verticillium and tomato spotted wilt virus. Potential insect problems include aphid, whitefly and thrips.
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Specifics
Name: Cineraria (Senecio cruentus) Jester series.
Crop timing: 16-18 weeks; sow from September to December for January through April sales.
Grower benefits: Uniform to flower across the color range. Suitable for winter and early-spring sales. Compact plants can be finished in 4- to 6-inch pots. If grown in 5- or 6-inch pots, no growth regulators are required.
Selling points: Compact, rounded habit and smaller leaves with the highest percentage of bicolors available in a cineraria series. Plants reach 8-10 inches tall in the garden.