CULTURE REPORT use of a supplemental chelated iron or petunia-specific fertilizer may be used to prevent these issues from arising. to maintain proper growth. An additional cut-back or shear can be used for growth control too, but it can take up to three weeks for the plants to rebloom. LIGHT Supplemental lighting is a great option when growing the Hot+ series. It will not only encourage early flowering but will also improve the overall plant performance. FERTILITY Fertilize lobelia at a medium rate to allow for healthy growth; for example, use 150 to 200 ppm nitrogen of a 20-10-20 option. An EC between 1.0 and 1.3 (using a 1:2 extraction method) and a pH between 5.6 and 6.4 is recommended. Be sure to regularly check soil pH and EC as part of a comprehensive plant health management program. Also, flushing with clear water will help to avoid excessive salt build up in the soil. BEST USE The lobelia Hot+ series is best used in 4-inch pots and quarts, hanging baskets and combination planters. 319-372-8366 sales@bartinst.com Circle 124 GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 45 ADDITIONAL NOTES Although selected for increased tolerance, lobelia can be sensitive to high soil pH nutrient deficiencies. The ESTIMATED FINISH TIMES Finish times for the Hot+ series depend on pot size and the number of plants per pot. All grow times given are based on the number of plant plugs from a 102-cell tray transplanted into the specified pot size. One plant per pot in a 4.5-inch pot will take six to eight weeks to finish; a 6.5-inch pot with two plants per pot has a grow time of about seven to nine weeks; and a 10-inch pot with three to four plants will take the longest at 10 to 12 weeks for finishing. Bart Hayes is sales manager for Westhoff/ Westflowers. He can be reached at bart.hayes@westflowers.de. Path to Savings Where are you on the Learn More at bartinst.com Optimize Energy Usage Reduce Travel Cost And more! Replace Thermostats Reduce Labor Costshttp://www.bartinst.com