May 9, 2016

PGRs on Woody Ornamentals in the Nursery

One of the more common questions I get on using plant growth regulators (PGRs) is, “Which PGRs and what rates do I use on woody ornamentals?” And, I just don’t have a lot of my own research results to share on this topic. We have...
Read More

Apr 15, 2016

Christmas Cactus – Early Configure Applications for Increasing the Number of Phylloclades

Dr. Brian Whipker Blog

Over 30 years ago, researchers in Japan reported that benzyladenine, the active ingredient in Configure, increased branching (number of phylloclades) and flower bud production in Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgessii). Most growers are aware and use Configure to increase the number of flower buds in the...
Read More

Apr 6, 2016

Using Configure to Increase Pot Fill for Early Sales of Herbaceous Perennials

Professor Joyce Latimer Blog

Many producers are using a bedding plant production model to fast-track their herbaceous perennials, many times in quart pots. The use of branching agents, like Configure, can significantly improve pot fill which can enhance early sales, improving the “fit” of these plants into the bedding...
Read More

Mar 1, 2016

New PGR Resources: Perennial Guide and Apps

Professor Joyce Latimer Blog

PGR resources are available in a variety of presentation methods. Printed PGR Guides are available for rates and resources for PGR use on annual floral crops and for herbaceous perennial plants. These Guides are mailed to subscribers of GrowerTalks magazine in January each year, with...
Read More

Dec 10, 2015

Dazide Pre-Plant Liner Soak Experimental Trial

Dr. Brian Whipker Blog

Dazide is the trade name for the plant growth regulator daminozide. It is widely used in greenhouse production as a foliar spray to control excessive stretch of flowering plants. Daminozide is tied up by the root substrate, so it cannot be used as a drench....
Read More

Dec 1, 2015

Getting The Most Out of Your PGR Applications

Dr. Brian Whipker Blog

There are a number of factors that influence getting the most out of your plant growth regulator applications. Some of the top considerations are listed below. Environmental Conditions. Environmental conditions can have a significant impact on the efficacy of a PGR. Applying PGRs early in...
Read More

Nov 15, 2015

Plant Growth Regulator Electronic Resources

Dr. Brian Whipker Blog

There are a number of free PGR resources available to greenhouse growers. This video highlights iBooks, apps and pdf guides that will help improve your use of plant growth regulators. Brian Whipker is a Professor of Floriculture at North Carolina State University. He specializes in...
Read More

Nov 2, 2015

Configure Plus Dazide – Tank Mixes?

Professor Joyce Latimer Blog

Tank mixes are generally designed to provide a synergistic effect. In other words, you can use lower rates of both products to get the same or greater efficacy. Previously, we tested a tank mix of the branching enhancer Configure (6-BA, Fine Americas, Inc.) and the...
Read More

Nov 1, 2015

Collate Use Tips

Dr. Brian Whipker Blog

In greenhouse floriculture production, Florel® has been the go-to ethephon formulation for years. It is available as a 3.9% active ingredient solution. Fine Americas introduced Collate® in 2013 which is a higher concentration (21.7%) product. Greenhouse label uses for Collate include inducing flowering of ornamental...
Read More

Oct 12, 2015

Don’t Forget – Relative Humidity Affects PGR Uptake!

Professor Joyce Latimer Blog

We often caution growers that many of our plant growth regulators (PGRs) are absorbed by leaf tissue relatively slowly and that conditions that extend the drying time will enhance uptake of the PGR active ingredient. However, these photos give a graphic example of the impact...
Read More