Culture for best commercial production:
Light: 1200 fc to 2000+ fc.
Temperature: 60º to 85º F. Survives temperatures above and below but growth slows or stops altogether. Takes light frosts without damage and will come back in the spring even after nights in the high teens.
Feed: 100 to 150 ppm on constant feed (like Excel 15-5-15) with available Ca, Mg & pH around 6.0. Foliage should stay dark green all the time.
Water:More ferns are harmed by over watering than holding back on the water. Water well then allow to go almost dry before watering again.
Potting Mix: This is often dictated by what is available locally. The key elements are low salts and excellent drainage. Some peat helps to retain fertilizer salts and keep water available to the root hairs.
Pest Control: This fern is generally quite pest free. Decree ® can be used for prevention of botrytis in very wet winters.
Container: 6” pots, 8” and 10” baskets plus 1 and 3 gallon containers!.
Growing Schedule: (starting with a Santa Rosa Tropicals plug)
4" starter pot - 8 to 12 weeks.
6" pot - 12 to 16 weeks from a 4" pot.
8” basket – 16 to 24 weeks from a 4” pot.
One gallon - 12 to 16 weeks from a 4" pot or 20 weeks if stuck directly in a gallon.
Pot all year on a regular rotation for year round sales.
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