MAGAZINE • SINCE 1937 PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS FOR ANNUALS By 2015Brian E. Whipker, North Carolina State University EDITORIAL EDITOR Chris Beytes [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Zurko RETAIL EDITOR Jennifer Polanz EDITOR-AT-LARGE Ellen C. Wells A Singular CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jennifer D. White INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Ron Van der Ploeg Commitment to COLUMNISTS Plant Growth John Friel Kerry Herndon Judy Sharpton Royal Heins Regulators Bill McCurry Today, Fine Americas remains committed to information on how to use our products most CONTRIBUTING WRITERS advancing the science of plant growth regula- effi ciently in your operation. Bill Swanekamp Paul Westervelt tors. While other companies view PGRs as “secondary products” and focus on Ongoing university support: Before Fine Gary Mangum Albert Grimm insecticides, fungicides and other products, Americas brings a new PGR to market, we Anne-Marie Hardie Abe Van Wingerden we concentrate exclusively on these vital make sure it passes the toughest tests at Chris Fifo Gerry Raker production tools. As a result, Fine off ers the the nation’s leading ornamental research Charlie Hall Roger McGaughey broadest line of PGRs in the ornamental sec- universities. Then we work hand in hand with Doug Cole tor, including Abide, Citadel, Collate, Concise, university researchers to add even more value Confi gure, Dazide, Florgib, Fresco, Piccolo to our product line through ongoing label PRODUCTION MANAGER Kathy Wootton and Piccolo 10 XC. expansion. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris Truesdale PHOTOGRAPHER Mark Widhalm Top-notch technical support: Services Only Fine Americas off ers you so much COPY EDITOR Sue Olsen from a single company. after the sale is one of the hallmarks of our As the leader in PGR research and develop- business philosophy. That’s why we off er SALES 866.888.4237 ment, Fine Americas is dedicated to off ering outstanding tech support from our technical you everything you look for in a trusted services department, as well as our regional supplier: sales managers. PUBLISHER | Paul Black SALES MANAGER [email protected] Advanced formulations: In 2011, Fine Ameri- Nationwide distribution: Fine PGRs are avail- ACCOUNT MANAGER Kim Brown cas introduced the world’s fi rst and only 4% able from leading distributors throughout the [email protected] paclobutrazol formulation—Piccolo 10 XC. U.S. and Canada. To fi nd a distributor near SALES ASSISTANT Adriana Heikkila Two years ago, we launched Collate, a state- you, go to www.fi ne-americas.com or call [email protected] of-the-art ethephon PGR containing six times (888) 474-FINE (3463). CUSTOMER SERVICE Allison Westbrook the active ingredient of traditional ethephon CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING classifi [email protected] formulations. Unbeatable value: Fine PGRs are valued right to off er you outstanding performance at a One-of-a-kind products: Fine Americas is the reasonable price. fi rst and only company to off er a pure 2% 6-BA PGR for ornamentals—Confi gure. A continuing commitment to grower education. A Friend Remembered Uncompromising quality control: Every PGR Fine Americas’ sponsorship of the 2015-16 G. Victor Ball, Editor from 1949–1997 sold by Fine Americas is manufactured in the GrowerTalks PGR Guide for Annuals is just GrowerTalks general offi ces are located at: United States or Europe under strict quality the latest example of our industry-leading PO BOX 1660, West Chicago, Illinois 60186 U.S.A. control standards. Fine Americas is certifi ed commitment to grower education. We hope ph: 630.231.3675 | fax: 630.231.5254 | Toll-Free: 1-888-888-0013 to ISO 9001:2008. you fi nd this informative publication a valuable www.growertalks.com addition to your reference library and we look A new, user-friendly website: Fine Americas forward to working with you in the future. has just launched a new and improved web- site (www.fi ne-americas.com), full of useful Gregory Johnson, President Fine Americas, Inc. Excellence in PGR Technology Always read and follow label directions. Abide®, Citadel®, Collate®, Concise®, Confi gure®, Florgib®, Fresco®, Piccolo® and Piccolo® 10 XC are registered trademarks of Fine Agrochemicals, Ltd. Dazide® is a registered trademark of Fine Holdings, Ltd. © 2015 Fine Americas, Inc. Branching Out with Collate By Brian E. Whipker, North Carolina State University axillary shoot development and height applied at 125, 250 or 500 ppm at 3 fl. oz. control. Dr. Peter Konjonian conducted per pot three weeks after potting. Plants Collate (ethephon) is a cost- extensive research trials in the 1990s, were assessed for growth and branching effective option for improving which lead to many of the current two weeks after treatment and again at plant structure, preventing greenhouse uses of ethephon. flowering. Currently, Collate is only labeled for At two weeks after treatment, greater early flowering and controlling application as a foliar spray, but recent petunia plant diameter control occurred excessive plant growth. work has found that ethephon has a as Collate rate increased. Shoot number significant amount of substrate activity. at two weeks after treatment increased A supplemental label for Collate allowing slightly with Vista Bubblegum with 125 In greenhouse floriculture production, substrate drenches has been applied for or 250 ppm drenches (Figure 1), but Florel has been the go-to ethephon and is pending approval. Below are the the increase in shoot number wasn’t formulation for years. It’s available as results of some studies determining the significant with Double Peppermint. For a 3.9% active ingredient solution. Fine efficacy of Collate drenches. final assessments of both cultivars, the high rate of Collate (the 500 ppm drench) Americas introduced Collate in 2013, Collate on vegetative annuals which is a higher concentrated (21.7%) caused excessive growth reductions and | Recent product. Materials and Methods two-week delays in flowering and a target work at North Carolina State University Greenhouse label uses for Collate rate of 125 to 250 ppm should be tested tested Collate drenches on Petunia Vista include inducing flowering of ornamental by growers. Bubblegum and Double Peppermint bromeliads, avoidance of stem topple of In a separate trial, Americana Dark Red grown from 84-count plugs transplanted potted hyacinths, height control of potted cutting geraniums grown from 84-count into 5-in. pots. Collate drenches were >>> daffodils, flower inhibition, increase in plugs were transplanted into 6-in. pots A B Figure 1. Petunia Vista Bubblegum (left to right): Untreated or treated with Collate drenches at 0, 125, 250 or 500 ppm (3 fl. oz. per 5-in. pot). A) Plants at 2 weeks after treatment; B) Plants at time of flowering (6 weeks after treatment). GROWERTALKS | 2015 Plant Growth Regulator Guide 3 in February and treated with Collate with 125 ppm treated plants and was Collate is an excellent and cost-eff ective drenches at 0, 125, 250 or 500 ppm (4 fl . maximized at 250 ppm with 10.2 shoots option for improving plant structure, oz. per 6-in. pot) three weeks after potting. per plant. There was no further eff ect preventing early fl owering and controlling At time of bloom, greater plant height and with the 500 ppm drench. Flowering was excessive plant growth. It’s easy to see diameter control occurred as the Collate delayed only three days with the 250 ppm why Collate has become an essential rate increased (Figure 2). Shoot number Collate drench. component of the fl oriculture PGR increased with Collate use. Shoot number In summary, Collate substrate drenches toolbox. GT PUT THESE PROVEN PLANT MANAGERS increased with increasing rate with 6.8 were eff ective in controlling excessive shoots per untreated plant, 8.2 shoots growth of both petunias and geraniums. TO WORK IN YOUR GREENHOUSES. Fine Americas offers the most complete line of plant manager PGRs in the industry, including some active ingredients and formulations not available from any other source. In addition, all of our products are manufactured under strict ISO 9001:2008 standards, assuring you of outstanding performance each and every time. *Same active ingredient as ARest® *Same active ingredient as Cycocel® *Same active ingredient as Florel® *Same active ingredient as Sumagic® The only pure 2% 6-BA PGR Abide® is a broad- Citadel® generates Collate® promotes Concise® helps As the only pure 2% 6-BA ® spectrum PGR offering effective PGR activity increased lateral ornamental growers plant growth regulator consistent results on a wide variety of branching, reduces produce denser plants registered for ornamentals, in container-grown containerized crops. plant height and delays with more compact Configure improves plant ornamental plants. When applied according flowering in a wide growth, darker green quality by increasing lateral Applied as a foliar to label directions, it range of ornamental foliage, improved water ® branching and flower spray or drench, produces more compact crops. In addition, it has retention and increased production. Registered for Figure 2. Americana Dark Red Geranium (left to right): Untreated or treated with Collate drenches at 0, 125, 250 or 500 ppm (4 fl . oz. per 6-in. pot). Abide effectively and marketable plants been proven effective in shelf life. It even increases use on many containerized reduces internode with darker foliage and controlling stem topple in flower number and size in annual and perennial elongation, leading thicker leaves. daffodils and hyacinth. some varieties. flowering and foliage crops to more compact as well as popular tropical and sturdier plants. plants. the plants actively growing and not under Temperatures. | In addition, Collate Collate Additional activity is linked to active plant growth. suboptimal conditions (heat, drought, ® Applications made when temperatures environmental or disease stress). Lower Product Information *Same active ingredients as B-NINE® *Same active ingredient as ProGibb® *Same active ingredient as Fascination® *Same active ingredient as Bonzi® *Same active ingredient as Bonzi® are below 60F (15.5C) or higher than 95F leaf yellowing typically occurs when Collate is applied to water-stressed plants.