This vibrant design from Tonkadale Greenhouse combines 4 1/2-inch coleus ‘Red Ruffles’ in the center surrounded by (clockwise) coleus ‘Velvet Lime,’ duranta ‘Gold Edge,’ Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie,’ calibrachoa Superbells Tickled Pink, geranium ‘Rocky Mountain Violet’ and Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight.’ Use a container that’s at least 14 inches in diameter.
Coleus ‘Red Ruffles’ and ‘Velvet Lime’ require moderate to high light levels and temperatures of 65°-72°. Water requirements are moderate to moist. Larger pots may require branching.
Duranta ‘Gold Edge’ grows best in day temperatures of 70°-75° and night temperatures of 65°-72°. Maintain a pH of 6.0-6.5 and never let the plants wilt.
Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’ requires moderate to high light levels. Keep temperatures at 65°-72° during growing stage one and bump up to 70°-75° during stage two. Water requirements are moderate to moist. Pinch once, two weeks after liners are planted.
Calibrachoa Superbells Tickled Pink requires high light levels and moderate to moist water levels. Keep temperatures at 55°-65° for growing on. For 6-inch pots or smaller, pinch only at transplant. Grow in a well-drained mix.
Geranium ‘Rocky Mountain Violet’ grows best with a high soil moisture level and light intensity of 3,500-5,000 footcandles. Keep temperatures at 70°-72° day and night. Provide one to three applications of 350 ppm Florel and weekly applications of 750-1,000 ppm Cycocel. The Rocky Mountain series may benefit from a soft pinch at the main growing point about four weeks after planting and after the first Florel application.
Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ requires moderate to high light levels. Keep temperatures at 65°-72°. Water requirements are dry to moderate. Pinch once, two weeks after planting.
Recipe by Tonkadale Greenhouse: Tonkadale Greenhouse, (952) 938-6480; www.tonkadale.com.
Production
* ‘Red Ruffles’ and ‘Velvet Lime’ coleus: Feed with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (20-10-20) every fourth substrate watering; use a well-drained substrate with a pH of 5.5-5.8.
* ‘Gold Edge’ duranta: Feed with 20-10-20 at 250-300 ppm nitrogen; pH 6.0-6.5; and EC 0.6-0.9.
* ‘Blackie’ ipomoea: Feed with 200-300 ppm nitrogen; pH 6.0-6.5; EC 0.6-0.9; and keep growing medium moderate to moist.
* Superbells Tickled Pink calibrachoa: Feed with 150-200 ppm nitrogen; pH 5.5-5.8; EC 0.6-0.9; and keep media moderate to moist.
* ‘Rocky Mountain Violet’ geranium: Feed with 300 ppm nitrogen; pH 6.0-6.3; and EC 2.0.
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* ‘Limelight’ helichrysum: Feed with 150-200 ppm nitrogen; pH 6.0-6.5; EC 0.6-0.9. Water requirements are dry to moderate.
- Kelli Rodda