2009 Mars 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
11/24
Heat delay in this crop has been significant this year. The plants need an additional week for adequate bract development. Mars is normally fairly vigorous, but the additional vegetative growth has made height control difficult. In the future, we will know to be more aggressive early in the crop if we are having a warm fall. The last 4 Bonzi drench applications were at 0.5 ppm, which did not affect bract size too much. However, it did not stop elongation.
11/17
This crop has tuned into a struggle. We are again applying a Bonzi drench at 0.5 ppm. The plants look like they are about 2 weeks from finish.
11/10
We are applying a Bonzi drench at 0.5 ppm for the third time to this crop. Mars Red has smaller bracts, and we are trying to compromise between height control and effect on bract size.
11/03
It is clear now that this crop of Mars Red is significantly delayed by the high temperatures. There is no color showing and the crop will be at least a week late finishing. At this point we will try to hold these plants at about 17 inches and not affect bract size too much. We are again applying a Bonzi drench at 0.5 ppm and anticipate doing this again next week.
10/27
There is no color on these plants this week and they may finish a little late. With the warm temperatures these plants could grow 2-3 more inches. They are already over 14” and we need to slow them down. We are concerned that there would not be enough effect from an early drench rate of 0.1 to 0.2 ppm. So, we are being aggressive and applying a Bonzi drench at 0.5 ppm. This is ½ of the late drench rate.
10/20
If we applied a drench this week at 0.1 ppm, this crop would likely finish below 15 inches. We are not treating the plants; however, and will see where they are next week.
10/13
This is another crop that grew considerably more than we wanted for the past week. We are again applying an early Bonzi drench at 0.15 ppm, which should greatly reduce elongation now.
10/06
This group of Mars Red surprised us with this much growth. It does have better than average vigor. We are applying an early Bonzi drench at 0.15 ppm, which hopefully will slow them down and make height control easier over the next 2-3 weeks.
9/29
We are not treating the Mars Red this week. A Bonzi drench at 0.1 ppm was made last week and the crop is not going to get out of control in the next week. It is likely that the heights will be close to the line a week from now.
9/22
Mars Red is slightly vigorous and the plants have resumed rapid elongation. We are applying another early Bonzi drench at 0.1 ppm.
9/15
We applied a Bonzi early drench last week and this crop of Mars Red has slowed down. We are not applying a PGR this week.
9/08
This group of Mars Red looks good. The shoots are slightly more elongated than the previous Prestige crop. Also, Mars can be a little more vigorous. So we are applying an early Bonzi drench at 0.1 ppm. We had decided in advance to use this crop as an example of early drench applications.
9/01
Mars Red is an early mid-season variety with good vigor. We will use early Bonzi drench application for this crop.
