Ball Seed Ivy Geranium culture

Growing On To Finish

Media

Use a porous, well-drained, soilless mix.
Maintain pH between 5.8 and 6.0.

Potting

Plant ivy geranium liners level with the existing soil line.
For best results, use 1 plant per 4 1/2-in. (11-cm) pot, 3 per 8 and 10-in. (20 and 25-cm) hanging basket, and 5 per 12-in. (30-cm) basket.

Temperature

Nights: 55° to 58°F (13° to 14°C) for initial growing; 60° to 62°F (15° to 17°C) for the last 3 weeks to finish
Days: Below 70°F (21°C)
Ivy geraniums do not tolerate high temperatures or temperature extremes. High day temperatures will slow growth, cause the plants to become hard and brittle, and make the plants susceptible to oedema.

Light

Ivy geraniums do not require as much light as regular zonal geraniums -- 2,500 to 3,500 f.c. (25,000 to 35,000 lux) is optimum.
Because of the reduced light requirements, ivy geraniums grow very well in polyethylene or fiberglass structures.
Excess light will slow growth and harden foliage, which may result in oedema problems.

Watering

Watering is very critical to successful ivy geranium production.
Water very early in the day to allow the plants to dry out before nightfall.
Oedema -- the corkiness that damages the undersides of the leaves and distorts the physical appearance of the plant -- occurs when the plants remain wet during dark, cloudy weather.

Fertilizer

Ivy geraniums require one-third more iron than standard zonal geraniums and more calcium for proper growth.
Feed at the rate of 100 to 150 ppm with a constant feed, alternating between 20-10-20 and 14-0-14.
Leach as needed with clear water.
Feed once a month with 100 ppm sequestered iron and regularly use calcium nitrate at 150 ppm Ca to augment your feeding program.
Ivy geraniums are sensitive to excess molybdenum, particularly when ammonium forms of fertilizer are used.
Test soil for soluble salts and pH 4 to 5 weeks after planting to determine what elements may be deficient or in excess.

Ivy geraniums require a slightly lower pH than zonal geraniums.
Maintain pH from 5.8 to 6.0 to maximize iron uptake.
When pH rises above 6.5, plants begin to show iron deficiency.
If pH drops below 5.5, calcium is leached from the soil and plants will show signs of calcium, iron and boron deficiency. A symptom of low pH is sudden lower leaf death.

Growth Regulators

Many newer, more compact varieties do not require any growth regulators.
Cycocel is used to increase branching on some varieties at a rate of 1,500 ppm (1.5 oz./gallon) when the breaks are approximately 1 to 1 1/2 in. (2.5 to 4 cm) long.
Use 1 gallon Cycocel per 200 sq. ft. of growing area.

Pinching

Ivy geraniums do not break well from hard wood.
Give plants a soft pinch, leaving 3 nodes per stem.
Good-quality hanging baskets are produced by using 3 plants per 10-in. (25-cm) hanging basket, giving a pinch, and applying a Cycocel foliar spray at 1,500 ppm.

Spacing

For best results, grow 8-in. (20-cm) hanging baskets on 16-in. (41-cm) centers, 10-in. (25-cm) hanging baskets on 18-in. (46-cm) centers, and 12-in. (30-cm) hanging baskets on 20-in. (51-cm) centers.
Start ivy geranium hanging baskets on a bench, rather than hanging them immediately upon potting, in order to better control temperature and watering.
Late-season 4 1/2-in. (11-cm) pots can be grown pot-to-pot if Cycocel is used to keep the plant compact.

Problems Causes

Plants collapse Botrytis or Rhizoctonia (stem canker)
Saturated soil for extended periods of time (Pythium)

Excessive vegetative growth, few flowers Excessive ammonia in fertilizer
Over-fertilization under low light

Low light and over-watering, wet media

Foliage necrosis Drying out between waterings
Low pH

High salts

Poor branching, thin plants Low fertilization in early stages of growth
Low light

Handy Tips For Retailers

Display ivy geraniums in filtered sunlight -- in direct sun, the plants dry out quickly and require more watering.
Keep ivy geraniums well-watered. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
In the display, space ivy geraniums so the leaves are just touching between plants to allow for air circulation and light penetration.
Feed the plants weekly with a liquid fertilizer at the rate recommended on the label.
Remember to tell home gardeners that ivy geraniums are a perfect choice for baskets and containers.

Home Gardener "Green Thumb" Tips

Ivy geraniums are right at home in hanging baskets and containers. Choose a location which receives partial shade.

Water thoroughly, allowing the soil to remain moist. Apply a well-balanced fertilizer ever 2 weeks. Keep your 'Colorcade' and 'Guillou' geraniums filled with flowers all season by removing any faded flower heads. 'Colorcade' and 'Guillou' 10-in. (25-cm) baskets can grow to a diameter of 14 to 18 in. (35 to 46 cm) or larger.

Ivy Geranium Crop Schedule and Uses

Pots
(Crop schedule in weeks)
Form

4 in. (10 cm)
1 PP*

6 in. (15 cm)
1 PP*

Unrooted cutting
14 15

Rooted cutting
10 11

Hanging basket
(Crop schedule in weeks)
Form

8 in. (20 cm)
3 PP*

10 in. (25 cm)
3 PP*

12 in. (30 cm)
5 PP*

Unrooted cutting
16 16 18

Rooted cutting
12 12 14

*PP: Plants per pot or basket

NOTE: Crop times may vary depending on the climate, location, time of year and greenhouse environmental conditions. We recommend using only rooted cuttings for baskets or larger containers to ensure uniform growth.

E-mail questions to: webmaster

Problems	Causes
Plants collapse	Botrytis or Rhizoctonia (stem canker) Saturated soil for extended periods of time (Pythium)
Excessive vegetative growth, few flowers	Excessive ammonia in fertilizer Over-fertilization under low light Low light and over-watering, wet media
Foliage necrosis	Drying out between waterings Low pH High salts
Poor branching, thin plants	Low fertilization in early stages of growth Low light

Pots (Crop schedule in weeks) Form	4 in. (10 cm) 1 PP*	6 in. (15 cm) 1 PP*
Unrooted cutting	14	15
Rooted cutting	10	11

Hanging basket (Crop schedule in weeks) Form	8 in. (20 cm) 3 PP*	10 in. (25 cm) 3 PP*	12 in. (30 cm) 5 PP*
Unrooted cutting	16	16	18
Rooted cutting	12	12	14