2004 Autumn Red
Growth Regulators Applied / Height graph
Graph shows projected plant heights during production of the crop. Dots are plotted actual height each week. Arrows indicate when PGRs are applied with details in the weekly notes. We use the “late” graphical tracking curve and heights are from bench to height of growing tip. Heights are plotted from date of pinching to projected date of finish.
Notes
11/09
This Autumn Red crop is past finish stage now. The conditions in early to mid Sept. with the hurricanes resulted in this crop initiating 10-14 days early. The shorter vegetative growth period resulted in the crop finishing shorter than planned. Even in a normal year it would probably be best to plant and pinch a few days earlier than this schedule.
11/02
Pollen is showing on the first cyathia of about half of these plants, and they will be fully developed by next week. While plants at this stage are probably salable in most markets, it is better to let the smaller 2nd and 3rd level bracts develop further before shipping. These smaller bracts do not develop well in low indoor lighting and color will fade quickly making the plants look old prematurely.
10/26
If this crop had not initiated 2 weeks early, it would have been fine. It will be finished by next week. We can not cool the greenhouse down to slow development because that would affect the other varieties too much.
10/19
While this very early variety initiated 2 weeks early due to the storms other varieties like Orion and Freedom did not. This crop will finish at 11-12 inches in about 2 weeks - just in time for Halloween.
10/12
This crop will not be treated again, and we just hope to get as much growth and bract expansion as we can.
10/05
First color for Autumn Red occurred on Oct. 11 and 13 the past 2 years, so these plants initiated about 2 weeks earlier than expected. With the hurricanes, we had extended periods of very cloudy weather and temperatures at times well below average, which is probably the cause for the early initiation. (Hey, blame it on the hurricanes, like everything else.) We have 2 early varieties in other areas that are doing the same thing. This crop will not make the desired size and will now finish about the first of November.
9/28
Autumn Red is a very early variety, but we are surprised to see the first blush of color this early. We are not spraying again this week. If the plants have initiated as it seems they have, then there will not be many more internodes to expand and the plant may not make the desired height.
9/21
This crop has started growing now and we sprayed it with the low B-Nine/Cycocel rate (1,000 ppm/1,000 ppm).
9/14
Autumn Red is fine. A low rate spray would be acceptable this week, but we will probably make a low to medium rate spray next week.
9/07
Autumn Red is a newer variety with strong stems that finishes about a week ahead of Freedom. It is a little vigorous early, but we do not expect stretch at the end.
