February 2019 - 12

perspectives
BY CHAD CAGLE
Improving Efficiencies with Direct Sticking
Since starting at ColorPoint in 2008, I have had a strong focus
Chad Cagle is head
grower of ColorPoint
in Paris, Kentucky,
and is a member of
GPN's 40 Under 40
Class of 2017. He
can be reached at
chad@colorpoint.us.
on two areas, keeping in mind the goal of improving growing
efficiencies on a continual basis. First is implementing full-sun
propagation for faster, more uniform rooting and improved
quality in young-plant
production. This, along
with automated boom
irrigation systems, has
allowed ColorPoint to use
the entire greenhouse as
a propagation area. The
second is developing a
direct-stick propagation
program which has
enabled us to increase
overall efficiency. Our
direct stick (DS) program
is currently 40 acres of
production in Kentucky.
Labor saver. Direct sticking
allows us to save labor, as we are
eliminating the transplant step
in the production process. At the
beginning and end of the spring
season, where space is not an
issue, we save greenhouse labor
by placing the direct stick/no pinch
plants in finished containers, never
touching again until shipping. Some
crop examples include: garden
mums, poinsettias, geraniums,
ipomeas, New Guinea impatiens
and lysmachia.
Time saver. Direct sticking
allows us to save time, which
was typically allocated to
transplanting liners. This has been
beneficial when there is a large number of liners needing to be
transplanted within a few weeks. We've also been able to take
finish time off most products, resulting in one to two fewer grow
weeks from stick. Branching agents allow us to grow without
pinch on many plants and the additional space available to the
plants immediately upon sticking allows them to branch out and
grow. As an added benefit, we use less PGRs in direct sticking
than in traditional liner propagation because plants do not need
to stay compact, as they would be in a liner.
Labor shifting. Direct sticking not only reduces labor but also
shifts labor to weeks when less labor is needed. Every spring one
reaches a time where cuttings are being stuck, liners are being
transplanted, plugs are being transplanted, plants need spacing
and shipping begins. By direct
sticking, labor that would have
been needed to transplant liners
is no longer needed as plants are
already in the finish pot.
Choosing the right plants.
Selecting the right plants is key, not
only to ensure product success, but
to deliver the best quality product
to our customers. We started
off with easy to root plants that
generally would not need a pinch,
such as New Guinea impatiens,
coleus, ipomoea and callused
geraniums. Through growth and
gained confidence, we added
dahlia, osteospermum, pericallis,
and plectranthus. Additionally, all
40 acres of mums were converted
to direct stick at our Kentucky
location in 2018.
Drawbacks. With every growth
opportunity comes challenges.
While we've saved time in
transplanting, pinching and
spacing, we've had to slow down
the production lines to efficiently
stick the cuttings in the pots.
Additionally, those working the
production line need to be educated
on how to properly stick, and the
team responsible for placement in
the greenhouse needs to be vigilant
in reviewing and fixing any cuttings that may have been jostled in
transport. There is a learning curve for the section growers when
you direct stick; you turn finish growers into propagation growers.
Pull the plug (or liner). Why not try something new? If you
haven't tried direct sticking plants, start small, build your
confidence and get your growers excited about a different way of
propagation. Just as we did at ColorPoint, my suggestion would be
to start with a variety that is easier to root. I think you'll find the
possibilities are endless.
12 FEBRUARY 2019 GPNMAG.COM
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2019
