Growing Instructions

The Misty, Allouise and Beppie series, plus the early spray varieties can achieve a flowering period of six months, depending on the use of one of three different cultural methods:

1. Under glass they will flower from May to July.
2. Outdoors, without protection, they will flower from August to October.
3. With protection, they will flower in late September and October.

1. Early Flowering Under Glass

Early crops can be planted in January or February and, using heat, these will flower from May to July. Plants should be pinched out 10 - 14 days after planting. Remove the central growing point and leave approximately 4 - 5 leaves. At this time growth will be very fast, with just naturally occurring daytime temperatures. Be careful not to let temperatures get too high during the day, as this will lead to growth that is too tall.

2. Early Flowering Outdoors

Plant outside from late April until June, once all danger of frost has gone. Plants should be about 30 - 45cms (12" - 18") apart. Normally, pinching out is carried out 2 - 3 weeks after planting and you should aim to allow 3 - 4 stems to develop per plant. If, at the time of pinching out, there is any sign of a terminal bud, it is essential to remove a large piece of the plant, sometimes over half. A hard stop will help avoid prematurely budded side-shoots. Successive plantings will extend the flowering period, but do not plant too late if your area is prone to early autumn frosts.

3. Flowering Under Cover

Many growers prefer to protect later crops from weather damage and frost, so as to produce the best quality blooms. The two main ways of growing are:

a) Planting outside and covering, either with mobile houses or temporary covers.
b) Planting under cold structures or into glasshouses.

There are advantages with both methods. With outside growing, a better, balanced plant can be produced and there is less chance of plants growing too tall. However, problems can arise in getting protection on the plants at the correct time. If planting in a cold glasshouse, the protection is always there, but fine summer weather can lead to tall growth and sometimes to earlier budding than is required. Planting outside and covering does have the advantage of allowing earlier planting, which will produce more breaks per plant and so a heavier crop of better quality flowers.