Culture Information

Starcluster^™ Cascade
Pentas

Pentas lanceolata

Product form: Vegetative

Containers: Quarts, Gallons, Hanging Baskets

Habit: Mounding, Semi-trailing/Semi-spreading

Garden Specifications

Garden height: 18–20" (45–50 cm) tall

Garden width: 24–26" (60–65 cm) wide

Exposure: Full Sun

USDA zone: 10–11

AHS zone: 12–3

Product use: Containers, Hanging Baskets, Patio Pots, Combos

Propagation of Unrooted Cuttings

Root emergence: 10–12 days

Rooting hormone: Recommended. A 0.1% (1,000 ppm) IBA concentration using either powder or liquid formulations can be applied to the lower portion of the cutting stem. Be careful not to coat the leaves or entire cutting–excess application can cause burning and damage to the cutting. Another option is to apply an overhead heavy spray to the cuttings (penetrating the rooting media) using water-soluble K-IBA at 250–300 ppm 24–48 hours after sticking. Do not use overhead applications of alcohol-based IBA solutions (ex. Dip 'n Grow^®).

Bottom heat temperature: 72–74 °F (22–23 °C) for the first three weeks. After roots are well developed, temperatures can be lowered to hold and tone the cuttings.

Misting: Mist schedules vary depending on light and temperature conditions. Apply just enough moisture to rehydrate the cuttings and keep them from wilting. Cuttings should be hydrated and in a non-wilted stage within 24 hours after sticking. Cuttings that continue to wilt heavily after 24 hours will callus unevenly and will be delayed in rooting. CapSil^® (spray adjuvant) can be sprayed on the cuttings at a rate of 2–4 oz/100 gal within 1–2 days after sticking to help in rehydration of the cuttings. Misting should be significantly reduced after 2-3 days and after cuttings become fully hydrated.

Recommended tray size: 105-cell (30 mm) or larger

Propagation timing: 5 weeks for a 105-cell tray; add more rooting time for significantly larger cell sizes.

Temperature

Day: 72–74 °F (22–23 °C)

Night: 72–74 °F (22–23 °C)

Lighting

Day extension lighting: Beneficial to 14 hours

Light intensity: 200–250 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ for the first two weeks after sticking or until root development occurs. Light levels can be increased up to 600 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ as rooting increases and the cutting matures.

Day length response: Facultative long day

Daily light integral (DLI): 4–6 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ for the first two weeks after sticking or until root development occurs. DLI can be increased to greater than 12 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ after root formation.

Media pH: 5.8–6.2

Media EC: SME EC: 0.9–1.3 mS/cm, Squeeze/Press Method EC: 1.4–2.0 mS/cm

Fertilizer: Begin fertilization at 100 ppm nitrogen when roots become visible. Rates can be increased up to 200 ppm nitrogen after roots become well developed. Use primarily Cal-Mag^® Plus (calcium nitrate + magnesium nitrate) fertilizers in propagation to prevent unwanted stretch.

Pinching: Recommended. A hard pinch once a visible flower stem is produced is recommended.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs): Vegetative pentas typically do not need PGR applications during propagation. If growth control is needed, sprays of B-Nine^® WSG (2,500 ppm) are generally sufficient. For all sprays listed above, the mist should be off for a minimum of one hour for the PGR to absorb into the leaf tissue.

Finishing

Temperature

Day: 76–78 °F (24–26 °C)

Night: 70–72 °F (21–22 °C)

Average daily temperature: 73–75 °F (23–24 °C)

Lighting

Day extension lighting: Beneficial to 14 hours

Light intensity: 800–1,200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹

Day length response: Facultative long day

Daily light integral (DLI): 16–18 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹

Transplanting: Transplant directly into the finished container. Place the rooting media slightly below the level of media in the container. Make sure the root ball is covered and that the liner is situated in the center of the pot.

Media pH: 5.8–6.2

Media EC: SME EC: 1.5–2.1 mS/cm, PourThru EC: 3.5–4.2 mS/cm

Fertilizer: 200–250 ppm N

Pinching: Yes, 1 pinch is recommended 7–10 days after transplant if not previously done in propagation. This is to remove the dominant terminal shoot and early flower bud. Do not damage the young surrounding lateral breaks when pinching out the terminal bud.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs): Starcluster^™ Cascade pentas have moderate vigor and may need a PGR treatment, especially under very warm growing conditions. To control growth after transplant, sprays of B-Nine^® WSG (2,500-3,500 ppm) can be used. Drenches of Bonzi^® (3–4 ppm) also work well to control growth and are the preferred method of growth control for Starcluster^™ Cascade pentas.

Tech tip: Starcluster^™ Cascade pentas are slow rooters, so provide sufficient temperature during propagation. They start slow after transplant and need warm temperatures and high light intensities to establish and grow. Cold temperatures will lead to long crop times and poor overall quality. Plants will flower faster under relatively long days. Plants will benefit from one to two pinches to improve branching and fill on large pots and patio containers. Bonzi^® drenches work well to control growth. Unlike seed pentas, Starcluster^™ Cascade vegetative pentas are not as susceptible to iron toxicity caused by relatively low pH levels in the media. However, media pH should still be monitored regularly and kept above 5.8 throughout the growth cycle.

Moisture level: Media should be allowed to dry between irrigations. Alternate between moisture level 2 and 4. 2 - MEDIUM: Soil is light brown in color, no water can be extracted from soil, and soil will crumble apart. 4 - WET: Soil is dark brown but not shiny, no free water is seen at the surface of the soil, when pressed or squeezed water drips easily, and trays are heavy with a visible bend in the middle.

Common pests: Thrips, aphids, whiteflies

Common diseases: Fungal stem rot

Scheduling

Estimated finish crop time is from transplant of a 105-cell tray and finished at an average daily temperature (ADT) of 73 °F (23 °C).

Example crop schedule for a 1.5 gallon hanging basket