Schedule Crop - Perovskia Bluesette

Perovskia Bluesette

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
2-4 seeds per cell is optimum. Long day facultative. Apply LD lighting and 68F+ ADT for best finish. Single pinch in plug (if stretched) or finished container provides better container fill. Leave 3-4 notes for optimal branching.

Week color desired

Sow week

Plug transplant week

Early Spring

Quart
(1 ppp)

Bluesette is not really an early spring crop, but can be done in quarts with long day lighting and media temperatures above 68F

Spring/Summer

Quart
(1 ppp)

Gallon
(1 ppp)

Long days and 68F+ ADT for Spring production. 1PPP will finish a gallon container if there are 3-4 seedlings/plug. 3PPP with single seedlings would be ideal for gallon.

Late-Summer/Fall

Quart
(1 ppp)

Gallon
(1 ppp)

1PPP will finish a gallon container if there are 3-4 seedlings/plug. 3PPP with single seedlings would be ideal for gallon

Perovskia Bluesette

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Germination
Seed Form:	RAW
PlugSize:	288
Seeds/Cell:	1
Plug Crop Weeks:	5-6
Days from 50% to maximum germination:	2-7
Cover Seed:	RAW

Plug Production
Stage 1
Moisture:	Level 4
Temperature:	68-77°F (20-25°C)
Light:	Light
Fertilizer:	Less than 100 ppm N (Less than 0.7 EC)

Stage 2
Moisture:	Level 4-3
Temperature:	68-73°F (20-23°C)
Light:	6-8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹
Fertilizer:	100 to 175 ppm N (0.7 to 1.2 EC)

Stage 3
Temperature:	64-68°F (18-20°C)
Light:	6-8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹
Fertilizer:	175 to 225 ppm N (1.2 to 1.5 EC)

Stage 4
Temperature:	60-65°F (16-18°C)
Light:	6-8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹
Fertilizer:	175 to 225 ppm N (1.2 to 1.5 EC)

Vernalization:

Propagation Key Tips:

For forcing info: See Perennials Forcing Guide.
Genetically compact variety requires an active climate. No PGRs needed, except in unfavorable climate conditions, the Alar 1 x spray at 1,500 ppm could be used. Pinching not really needed, optional for smaller containers; pinch at 3 to 4 nodes, approximately 2 to 3 weeks after transplant. Difficult to pinch in plug stage. Spray fungicide directly after sowing to prevent damping off.

Growing on to Finish
Growing on Temperature:	(day) 65-68°F (18-20°C) (night) 57-60°F (14-16°C)
Target Media pH/EC (1:2):	5.8-6.2 pH 1.2-1.4 mmhos/cm
Fertilizer:	175 to 225 ppm N (1.2 to 1.5 EC)
Daylength:	Facultative Long Day
Daylength Notation:	Light accumulator – higher light levels increase development and finish.
Finishing Key Tips:	Needs an active growing climate with the highest possible light levels. Optimum is more than 15 mol per m² per day. Can grow in lower light levels, but that will increase crop time. Do not start too early in cold nights and lower light levels, which will cause delay. Allow media to dry between watering; avoid growing wet. Monitor EC in pot during active growth to avoid leaf yellowing. One gallon is the perfect size; use 1 multi-seed plug (3 to 4 seeds) or 3 x 288 plug, and no pinch or PGRs needed. For quarts, use a smaller plug size (288) and 1 seed/cell; pinching is optional (leave 3 to 4 leaf nodes), same for PGR spray (1,500 ppm B-Nine - daminozide). Pinching will delay 1 to 2 weeks.