CULTURE REPORT One factor that contributes to this added growth is the heat. 'Silver Swirl' thrives in hot climates and is VERY drought tolerant once established. 'Silver Swirl' is a perennial for those in zone 6b and warmer. It will get attractive, buttonlike yellow flowers the following year. In colder climates, not only is 'Silver Swirl' frost tolerant, but it is also very freeze tolerant; it will not melt down even with repeated hard freezes. PROPAGATION Centaurea 'Silver Swirl' is propagated via vegetative cutting. Good general practices should be followed for rooting cuttings: * Well drained media. pH 5.8-6.2, EC<0.80 * Media temperature 70-72° F/21-22° C. Bottom heat beneficial * Rooting hormone IBA 500ppm dip or 250ppm drip down spray * 72-cell plug tray is ideal. Smaller cells are a bit too crowded while larger cells can remain too wet * Pageant Intrinsic fungicide applied day 1 or 2 Key Tips Additional key tips for propagating 'Silver Swirl': * This is a rosette-type cutting. Care should be taken not to bury the crown. * Cuttings do not tolerate excessive mist. Mist programs must be set very low with a fine droplet size. Tenting (high humidity only) is also effective. 'Silver Swirl' should be rooted similar to Artemisia or Helichrysum. * 'Silver Swirl' does not like saturated media. Media should be allowed to dry slightly during the rooting phase. This is where a very welldrained media can offer some forgiveness. * With proper culture cuttings should be rooting by day 10. Remove from mist and high humidity areas as soon as rooting begins. * 'Silver Swirl' prefers Cal/Mag types of fertilizer. Avoid higher ammonia and phosphorous feeds as this can lead to excessively soft plants. Begin feed upon rooting at 50-75ppm and gradually increase up to 150ppm as needed for growth. Liners will be ready for transplanting in 7-8 weeks. A-V BENCH SYSTEMS " An investment worth making " Bench tops attach to any type of frame * A-V plastic Bench Tops are available in two sizes and may be attached to any type frame. * A-V plastic Bench Tops are strong enough to walk on when properly supported and are UV protected for long life. * A-V plastic Bench Tops provide a safe, smooth working surface - no tipping or catching of trays and no sharp edges. A-V International P.O. Box 336, Broadway, VA 22815 USA Phone: (540) 896-6378 * Toll-free: (800) 328-6378 FAX: (540) 896-7079 * Email: AgriAVINT@aol.com www.a-vinternational.com 50 JANUARY 2024 GPNMAG.COMhttp://www.ag2tc.com http://www.a-vinternational.com http://www.GPNMAG.COM