February 2024 - 42

CULTURE REPORT
Plug production
Seeds per cell: One seed per plug cell.
Vermiculite cover: No cover, light required
for germination.
Stage 1
Germination
Media pH 5.5 to 5.8, fertilizers: EC 0.5 to
1.0 (75 to 150 ppm N). Temperature 64 to
72° F growing and medium temperature.
Radicle emergence will occur in 3 to 4 days.
Snapdragons are very susceptible to high salt
levels in all stages.
Stage 2
Stem and cotyledon
Keep media moist, temperature can be
lowered to 64° F. Reduce moisture levels to
obtain optimum root growth and to prevent
fungal diseases. Prevent wet foliage after
nightfall. A broad-spectrum fungicide may
be applied to prevent damping off. Under
low light conditions, supplemental lighting
is recommended to promote compact strong
seedlings. Extending day length to 14 hours,
4.500 to 10.000 lux (420 to 930 fc) will
promote early flowering.
Stage 3
Growth and development
Temperature days 64° F EC 1.2 to 1.5 (180
to 225 ppm N); allow media to dry between
watering. Wet, cold and low light conditions
may result in tip abortion.
Stage 4
Ready for transplanting
Temperature can be dropped to 60 to 64° F;
lower temperatures and wet conditions may
result in poor growth and leaf chlorosis. Allow
media to dry between watering but avoid wilting.
EC 1.2 to 1.5 (180 to 225 ppm N) do not exceed
levels over 1.0 to prevent root issues.
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FEBRUARY 2024 GPNMAG.COM
flowering potential. Their strong, taller stems make them perfect
for use as a cut flower. One of the common comments by the AAS
judges was that because of the strong stems, the plants were also
very resistant to damage from strong winds in the garden.
PRODUCT INFORMATION AND FINISH CULTURE
Series: Antirrhinum majus
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Type: Hardy annual
Mature plant size:18 to 20 inches high, 14 to 16 inches spread
Popular uses: Tall bedding plant or specimen in the garden, tall
feature in large container plantings. Ideal product to use for early
and late season sales as hardened-off plants will take frosts and
light freezes without damage to plants or flowers.
Recommended pot sizes: 5 to 6 inch pots or larger, 2 quart, 1 or
2 gallon pots. Plant one plant per pot up to 6 inches or 1 gallon, 3
plants per pot in larger containers.
Water: Evenly moist, avoid wet conditions.
Daylength sensitivity and light: DoubleShot is daylength neutral,
will flower any time of year, ideal winter bedding items in the deep
Southern areas. Grow snapdragons under full sun conditions, no
shading. The optimum light level is 18.000 to 22.000 lux (1800 -
2200 fc). Long days >14 hours will promote earlier flowering.
Growing medium: Any well-draining growing medium is good for
snapdragons. Soil pH of 5.5 to 5.8 is ideal, avoid exceeding a soil
pH of 6.2.
Growing temperatures: For active growth, snapdragons prefer
night temperatures over 58° F and day temperatures over 60° F.
Snapdragon 'DoubleShot
Orange Bicolor', an AAS
winner at Costa Trials.
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February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2024
