Schedule Crop - Aquilegia Earlybird™

Aquilegia Earlybird™

Data is gathered from our Elburn, Ill., trials (Zone 5a) for a North American audience. Warm-climate growers: expect 1-2 weeks earlier finishing. Cool-climate growers: expect 1 week slower. Dates based on standard 288 plug size.

Notes/Pitfall Management
For 1G containers fall plant is recommended. Can use 5 plugs in a 1.5G. A large liner such as a 32, vernalized and spring planted into a 1G will not fill out. If being forced for February sales, short day photoperiod may prevent flower spikes from elongating properly. Night interruption lighting will elongate the flower stems. Force from dormancy warm (65F day/night) for two weeks before cooling for greatest uniformity.

Week color desired

Sow week

Plug transplant week

Early Spring

Quart
(1 ppp)

Gallon
(3 ppp)

EarlyBird requires 4 weeks of chill below 50F for uniform flowering. After this chill requirement they will flower very quickly and uniformly

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Blue White

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Mixture

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Purple Blue

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Purple White

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Purple Yellow

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Red White

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Red Yellow

Aquilegia Earlybird™ White

Aquilegia Earlybird™ Yellow

Visit website for variety description and resources.

Germination
Seed Form:	RAW
PlugSize:	288
Seeds/Cell:	1
Plug Crop Weeks:	6-7
Days from 50% to maximum germination:	7-17
Cover Seed:	Optional

Plug Production
Stage 1
Moisture:	Level 4
Temperature:	72-77°F (22-25°C)
Light:	Optional
Fertilizer:	Less than 100 ppm N (Less than 0.7 EC)

Stage 2
Moisture:	Level 4
Temperature:	68-73°F (20-23°C)
Light:	2,500 fc (26,900 Lux)
Fertilizer:	Less than 100 ppm N (Less than 0.7 EC)
PGR:	ancymidol/2 ppm/Spray

Stage 3
Moisture:	Level 3
Temperature:	65-70°F (18-21°C)
Light:	6-8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ 2,500 fc (26,900 Lux)
Fertilizer:	100 to 175 ppm N (0.7 to 1.2 EC)
PGR:	ancymidol/2 ppm/Spray

Stage 4
Moisture:	Level 2
Temperature:	60-65°F (16-18°C)
Light:	6-8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ 5,000 fc (53,800 Lux)
Fertilizer:	100 to 175 ppm N (0.7 to 1.2 EC)
PGR:	ancymidol/2 ppm/Spray

Vernalization:	Yes - Low vernalisation requirement, only 4 weeks at 50-55°F (10-13°C) from 5 to 6 true leaves onwards.
Juvenility:	Minimum 5 to 6 true leaves
Propagation Key Tips:	Maintaining moisture above level 3 in Stage 1 and 2 is critical for germination and seedling development. Responsive to weekly ancymidol 2 ppm spray or ancymidol 2 ppm/daminozide 2,500 ppm tank mix beginning 3 weeks from sowing.

Growing on to Finish
Growing on Temperature:	(day) 65-68°F (18-20°C) (night) 50-54°F (10-12°C)
Target Media pH/EC (1:2):	5.8-6.2 pH 1.3-1.8 mmhos/cm
Fertilizer:	100 to 175 ppm N (0.7 to 1.2 EC)
Daylength:	Day Neutral
Chemical Sensitivity:	Cycocel causes phytotoxicity
Bulking Strategy:	For best and richest flowering, allow plants 3 to 4 weeks to bulk after transplant; best in the cooler season.
Finishing Key Tips:	Avoid flowering beneath the foliage in very short natural daylength period. When producing under natural daylength shorter than 11 hours, 15 minutes during flower development stage (about 4 weeks from your target sales date), flowers could hide beneath foliage. Supplemental long day lighting (night interruption from 10 pm to 2 am or 16-hour daylength extension) will achieve flower stem elongation.