Description
Cottage garden charm.
- Compact and well-branched plants are easier to finish in a variety of sizes, requiring less PGRs.
- Large flowers are presented on strong stems in rich and captivating colors.
- Uniform and early to flower for efficient production.
Features
Growing information
Culture Information
Dottie™ Digitalis
Digitalis purpurea
Product form: Seed
Containers: Gallons
Habit: Upright
Vernalization: Not required (First Year Flowering)
Garden Specifications
Garden height: 16–20" (40–50 cm) tall
Garden width: 12–14" (30–35 cm) wide
Exposure: Part shade–Full sun
USDA zone: 5–9
AHS zone: 9–1
Product use: Containers, Landscapes, Patio Pots
Germination
Stages 1 & 2
Germination time: 3–4 days
Media temperature: 65–70 °F (18–21 °C)
Chamber: Optional
Light: Required for germination
Seed cover: No
Moisture level: 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.
Recommended tray size: 288–cell tray
Seeds per cell: 1–2
Young Plant Production
Stages 3 & 4
Temperature
Day: 64–66 °F (18–19 °C)
Night: 60–62 °F (16–17 °C)
Average daily temperature: 62 °F (17 °C)
Lighting
Day extension lighting: Not necessary
Light intensity: 200–250 µmol·m−2·s−1 for the first two weeks after sowing or until true leaf development occurs. Light levels can be increased up to 600 µmol·m−2·s−1 as rooting increases and the seedling matures.
Day length response: Obligate long day
Daily light integral (DLI): 10–12 mol·m−2·d−1
Media pH: 5.8–6.2
Media EC: SME EC 0.5 to 0.75 mS/cm or Press/Squeeze Method EC 0.75 to 1.1 mS/cm
Fertilizer: 75–100 ppm N
Moisture level: Media should be allowed to dry between irrigations. Alternate between moisture level 3 and 4.
Pinching: No
Plant growth regulators (PGRs): If necessary, plants will respond to sprays of B-Nine® WSG (daminozide) at 2,000 ppm, or a Bonzi® (paclobutrazol) spray at 5 ppm.
Plug grow time: 4–5 weeks in a 288–cell tray
Comments: No vernalization required. Although, Dottie™ digitalis can be transplanted in late summer–early fall for faster flowering in the following year.
Bulking and Vernalization
Vernalization: Not required (First year flowering)
Finishing
Temperature
Day: 68–70 °F (20–21 °C)
Night: 64–66 °F (18–19 °C)
Average daily temperature: 66 °F (19 °C)
Lighting
Day extension lighting: Not necessary
Light intensity: 1,200–1,600 µmol·m−2·s−1
Day length response: Obligate long day
Daily light integral (DLI): 14–16 mol·m−2·d−1
Scheduling
| Size | Crop Time | Plants Per Pot |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 quart (4.5 to 5 inch) | 11–12 weeks | 1 ppp |
| 1.25 to 2.5 quart (5.5 to 6.5 inch, trade gallon) | 11–12 weeks | 1–2 ppp |
Estimated finish crop time is from transplant of a 288-cell tray and finished at an average daily temperature (ADT) of 62 °F (17 °C).
Example crop schedule for a 2.5 quart
| Weeks From Transplant | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 week | Transplant 1–2 plugs into the center of the container. |
| 4 weeks | Feed continually, and increase feed with increasing light intensity. Digitalis also benefit from additional iron and calcium during production. Avoid ammonium levels above 20% to reduce the need for extra PGR applications. |
| 8 weeks | Apply a Bonzi® drench to tone the plant and control height. |
| 12 weeks | Finish. |
Transplanting: Transplant directly into the finished container. Place the rooting media slightly above the level of media in the container. Make sure that the root ball is covered and that the plug is situated in the center of the pot. Do not cover the crown of the plant as this is the active growing point.
Media pH: 5.8–6.2
Media EC: SME EC: 0.9–1.3 mS/cm, PourThru EC: 1.4–2.0 mS/cm
Fertilizer: 100–150 ppm N
Pinching: No. Pinching is not recommended or needed.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs): Sprays of B-Nine® WSG at 2,500–3,500 ppm, or Bonzi® at 5–10 ppm are effective to control height. Apply PGRs before flower spike begins to elongate. Drench with Bonzi® at 2–4 ppm to hold plants for sale.
Tech tip: Plants grown in the greenhouse with additional lights exhibited stretched habits and loose flower spikes. Crops grown cool in protected cold frames will produce compact plants with good lateral development of secondary spikes.
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: Aphids, leafminers, whiteflies, thrips
Common diseases: Botrytis, downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
You can buy Syngenta Flowers' products through authorized distributors and brokers. Visit the Distributors section of our website to find a supplier near you.
No, Syngenta Flowers does not sell directly to consumers or growers. Our products are available through authorized distributors and brokers. Please refer to our Where to Buy page for more information.
You can stay informed by visiting the News section on our website, which features updates on new products, partnerships, and industry recognitions. You can also, sign up for our e-mail newsletters for the latest insights on new varieties, tech tips, and more!
Yes, we offer a Technical Document Library with culture guides, sell sheets, white papers, technical articles, and videos to support growers. We have a Grower Success Guide that serves as a fast and easy reference tool for all Annuals and perennials. And if you still need help, contact your broker rep directly, and they will resolve or direct you to the correct contact.
Grower Success Guide
Look for our flowers in garden centers across the country. Many of our seeds are available to consumers from seed packet companies online.
Growers, retailers, agencies, and brokers - can access images through the Trinity Image Library. The library link is conveniently located in the footer of every page.
Yes, during transport, plants experience a lot of stress and when plants are stressed they can release ethylene. Higher temperatures, enclosed spaces, and damage to the plants increase the ethylene concentrations in the shipping environment.
Resources
Protect your Ethylene-Sensitive Crops
All our product catalogs are available digitally on our website's catalog page. While we maintain limited printed versions, we primarily offer digital catalogs to support environmental sustainability.
For the most current product information, we recommend checking our website directly as product details may change more frequently than catalog updates.
You can find our videos across multiple platforms:
- YouTube: Subscribe to our Syngenta Flowers channel for growing tips, product showcases, and educational content
- Instagram: Follow us for quick video updates and stories
- LinkedIn: Connect with us for professional insights and industry news
- Document Library: Access our technical videos and product demonstrations
For the most comprehensive video collection, visit our YouTube channel.