PowerPoint Presentation
Programing Perennials & Annuals
Ivan TchakarovDirector of growing Tue. September 20| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
What they said I am talking about
This discussion will help you understand the ingredients of a successful propagation environment, how to optimize and hasten callusing and rooting of annual cuttings and herbaceous perennials, and identify fast, moderate, and slow callusing and rooting herbaceous perennials.
What I am going to talk about..Our journey to become perennial propagators!
What I am going to talk about..Our journey to become perennial propagators!This is a great example of working with new crops and learning from your mistakes.
Our journey began with
an interesting story in the news
Our Journey Began
BackgroundMetrolina was mainly an annual grower.We root 90 million cuttingsWe germinate 300 million seeds.We had dabbled in some perennials.As of July 2013 we were now in the perennial business.
What we acquired~200 outdoor production30 acre greenhouse5 acre Leased greenhouse 45 minutes away for being used to propagate.Good team of people but under staffed
Growing ProceduresNo records of how plants were being produced.Schedules were very, very loose (compared to what we were used too).Most experienced head grower had left the year before the acquisition.
Another DecisionLeased propagation facility.45 minutes away5 acre 80 people were working there.Very inefficient.Closed the facility and moved all perennial propagation to Huntersville, NC
Starting from scratchAll Metrolina schedules are online using a Microsoft Sharepoint website to manage.Over 50 crops we had never produced before.100s of genera
How we manage growing schedules
How we manage growing schedules
Propagation
Propagation
How we manage growing schedules
PerennialsNo schedules were keptTeam sat together for 3 days in a tiny windowless room to rough out how we thought we were growing the crop.Team put together on the Sharepoint site few schedules
So we were feeling pretty good..We had a plan in place of how we were growing the crops.
Year one the plan did not work so great
August 2013- A little tall/late
Back to the drawing board
Monarda ExampleStart with the basics: Why did this plant get too big?
Monarda ExampleStart with the basics: Why did this plant get too big?
You need to understand the plant to be able to grow it.
Monarda ExampleMonarda is an obligate long day plant.Needs long day to flower.We were growing early season natural photoperiod (ie short day)
Monarda Propagation Schedule
Monarda Propagation Schedule
Success!!
Week 20 2016!
EchinaceaFirst year was a little challenging
EchinaceaFirst year was a little challengingOk maybe a lot.
EchinaceaEchinacea from seed is a tricky crop.
EchinaceaEchinacea from seed is a tricky crop.Short day/long day crop
EchinaceaEchinacea from seed is a tricky crop.Short day/long day cropSowing to ~4 leaves Juvenile not responsive to photoperiod
EchinaceaEchinacea from seed is a tricky crop.Short day/long day cropSowing to ~4 leaves Juvenile not responsive to photoperiod4 leaves on- responsive to photo period. Short days to bulk.Long days to flower
EchinaceaIf you dont do these things
Echinacea Seed
Echinacea Seed
Echinacea Seed
Echinacea Seed
Starting with a good liner
Results in better crops in finish
Rudbeckia goldstrumRudbeckia is very popular item.Tricky to grow since it is a vigorous plant.
Why is my phone going off at 9:48 am on Saturday?
Why is my phone going off at 9:48 am on Saturday?
Why is Abe emailing?
Hey a picture from the store?
Rudbeckia
We needed to make improvements!!
We have been buying in Goldstrum Plugs
We have been buying in Goldstrum Plugs
Bought In Versus In-house
Bought In Versus In-house
Decision: Be in charge of our ownRudbeckia goldstrum destiny!
Bought In Versus In-house
If are going to screw them up we will screw them up ourselves!
Rudbeckia Plug
Rudbeckia Plug
Rudbeckia Plug
Rudbeckia Plug
Rudbeckia-Short Day CriticalShort days give more branches, beefier plug.
Short Day Long Day
Rudbeckia Plug
Rudbeckia-Florel ConfigureBetter Branches
1000 ppm Florel/300 Configure Control
Rudbeckia Today
ConclusionIf you boss buys a perennial rangegood luck!Perennial plug production is not difficult as long as you pay attention to details.
Thanks to the Van Wingerdens and team Metrolina !
Thanks to Dr. Royal Heins
Didnt I put this in my report last year?
Thank You For Your Attention!