Iresine

Growers continue to look for plants that can be used in combination containers without taking over or forcing out the other plants. One option is Ball FloraPlant’s Blazin’ iresine series, which contains two members that can add color and texture along with a tropical look.

‘Blazin’ Rose’ has vibrant, multicolored leaves and iridescent stems. It reaches 18-21 inches tall and 24-30 inches wide.

‘Blazin’ Lime’ is the newest member. It has contrasting lime and cream variegated foliage with rose-colored stems. Foliage is more chartreuse under high light. It is slightly less vigorous. Lime reaches 12-16 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide.

Both varieties do best in shade, but they can tolerate morning sun. Prolonged full sun can bleach the foliage.

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Plant unrooted cuttings in a well-drained growing medium with a pH of 5.6-5.9 and an electrical conductivity of 0.75-0.80. Maintain the medium temperature at 68°F-74°F until roots are visible. At this time, fertilization can begin with 75-100 parts per million nitrogen.

Make a Bonzi drench (0.5-1.5 ppm) to moist medium before sticking the cuttings to reduce stem elongation during propagation. If you prefer a spray application, make a Bonzi spray (1-3 ppm) eight to 10 days after sticking.

Rooted cuttings should be ready to transplant 21-24 days after sticking. Transplant cuttings into a well-drained medium with a pH of 5.8-6.0 and electrical conductivity of 1.0-1.5.

Maintain daytime temperatures of 72°F-85°F and a night range of 60°F-70°F. Lower night temperatures will lengthen the production schedule. Light levels should be 3,000-6,000 footcandles (30,000-60,000 lux).

Allow the medium to dry between waterings, but don’t let them wilt. Fertilize plants at each irrigation with 150-200 ppm nitrogen.

Make a soft pinch seven to 14 days after transplanting to improve basal branching and habit. Pinching is recommended for finishing large mixed containers. Instead of the soft pinch, apply Florel seven to 10 days after transplanting at 200-300 ppm.

A Cycocel (1,000-1,500 ppm) and B-Nine (2,500-4,000 ppm) tank mix applied one to three times or a Bonzi (5-10 ppm) spray are effective.

Aphids and whitefly are potential insect problems. Iresine is not prone to disease.

For more: Ball FloraPlant, (800) 879-2255; www.ballfloraplant.com.

Specifics

Name: Iresine.

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Crop timing: Six to nine weeks for 4- to 5-inch, eight to 10 weeks for 6-inch and 10 to 13 weeks for 10- to 12-inch for crops started from unrooted cuttings. If started from rooted cuttings, three weeks can be taken off of the production schedule.

Grower benefits: Relatively quick crop; multiple uses for containers and landscapes.