2011 Ice Punch
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
11/22
These Ice Punch are very good and were easier than expected to control. This is the 3rd year we have included Ice Punch in our examples, and it has performed differently each year. 2009 was a hot fall and we used a lot of PGR on that crop. We had moderate temperatures for most of the crop in both 2010 and 2011. In 2010 the plants got off to a fast start and we had to use considerably more PGR than we have used in 2011. This year we had very high greenhouse temperatures through about Sept. 20 and the plants were slow to start growing. The response to the two 0.1 ppm Bonzi drench applications in Oct. was greater than expected and may have been due to a couple of weeks with day temperatures that were lower than average.
11/15
These Ice Punch look good and most are showing pollen. Another week is needed for better contrasting color to develop in the bracts. It is unusual for Ice Punch to be this easy for height control.
11/8
This crop looks good and should finish fine. The white centers in the bracts are starting to show this week.
11/1
This is much more control for Ice Punch than we have had in past years. Based on past experience the plants should make the desired height range fine. If we were targeting for a 15-16" plant we would apply a drench this week at 0.2 to 0.5 ppm to make sure they slowed down.
10/25
This crop of Ice Punch now looks like we should be able to hit the target heights without too much difficulty. Last year the Ice Punch grew 1.5" during last week of October. So, we could still need another PGR on this crop.
10/18
This crop is entering the period where we normally have problems slowing it down. Last week's drench had some effect. We are again doing a Bonzi drench at 0.1 ppm to reduce the amount of PGR needed later. First color is showing on these plants and they appear to be on time for finish.
10/11
This crop has resumed a more typical rate of growth and could see 1.5" to 2" this next week. The heights are about where we would want at this point. The difficulty with this crop will be slowing them down 3 weeks from now. So, we are doing another Bonzi drench at 0.1 ppm this week, which should reduce the amount of PGR needed later.
10/4
This crop of Ice Punch looks good, but elongation slowed more than expected. They will probably return to more normal growth this week.
9/27
These Ice Punch are looking good at this point. We are not doing a PGR application this week, but probably will next week.
9/20
Our strategy on Ice Punch is to make sure the plants are growing well before doing PGRs. But then, we have to make sure they do not get out of control because Ice Punch can be difficult to control late in the crop. So, we are applying an early Bonzi drench at 0.1 ppm this week.
9/13
This crop is doing fine. While we expect to make several PGR applications, we want this crop to start growing before we start PGRs.
9/6
The first PGR application will be next week.
8/30
Ice Punch is a popular novelty variety, but it can be difficult to grow. It often starts slow with not much PGR needed. But then when it starts growing faster in the middle of the crop, it can be difficult to control.
