Annual Bedding Plant Production

Light and temperature responses of bedding plants

Published on March 9, 2022
We have quantified the temperature and light responses of common bedding plant crops to better understand their impacts on production time and quality.
Purpling of leaves

Published on January 8, 2021
There are many specialty crops that naturally have red, purple or almost black foliage, while others turn those colors when conditions are unfavorable. This article briefly reviews the factors that influence the purpling of leaves.
How to produce poor-quality floriculture crops

Published on September 11, 2020
Sometimes growers unknowingly follow practices that can contribute to, or directly cause, a reduction in crop quality. While there can be some tradeoffs between crop quality and crop timing and/or input costs, these practices should be avoided.
A little far-red light goes a long way

Published on May 3, 2019
Part 4 of a 5-part series presents information on how a relatively low intensity of far-red light influences seedlings grown in fully controlled, indoor environments.
LEDs: Blue & far-red light

Published on April 10, 2019
Part 3 of a 5-part series summarizes results from an indoor lighting experiment with floriculture crop seedlings, where we determined whether blue light could nullify the effects of far red on stem elongation, without inhibiting flowering.
Using Data Loggers in the Greenhouse

Published on April 6, 2018
Most growers do not have extensive environmental control systems that keep historical records of the greenhouse conditions. In these cases, you will find that using a data logger will allow you to easily see past and present environmental data.
Causes of flower bud abortion

Published on March 14, 2018
There are many potential causes to flower bud abortion, including pests, environmental factors, and cultural factors.
Keeping in Front of the Curve: pH and EC Monitoring

Published on January 12, 2018
In-house monitoring of the growing substrate pH and EC will help to avoid nutrient disorders and shrinkage. Setting up a monitoring system is easy and the steps are highlighted in this article.
Producing High Quality Plugs Part I

Published on September 4, 2017
In this article, we will discuss how continuous 16-hour or instantaneous threshold supplemental lighting from HPS lamps and LEDs and photoperiodic lighting influence plug quality and subsequent flowering.
Bedding plants with high base temperatures

Published on December 14, 2016
In the late winter and spring, many greenhouse growers produce a wide variety of species and cultivars, many of which are annual bedding plants. Crops can have different growing and flowering requirements, so plants shouldn’t all be grown the same way.