Mioux Florist & Greenhouses

Shade house progress and greenhouse progress

2012-02-09T18:06:00.000-06:00

A new retail house

2012-02-07T16:56:00.000-06:00

I thought you might like watching the progress of my latest project. It is a shade house. The shade house is going to be a retail sales area for spring bedding plants, vegetable plants, combination pots, outdoor ceramic containers, potting soils, perennials, and nursery stock.

Nursery stock is a new product line. In the fall, we will do mum plants, pumpkins, corn stalks husked corn, straw bales, etc.

Here are the first two pictures.

Easter lilies and hydrangeas...

2012-02-03T10:11:00.000-06:00

The Easter Lilies are growing well. Today we are applying a growth regulator to keep the lilies around 18 inches tall. If we don't apply the growth regulator, we would have up to 30 inch tall lilies.

The hydrangeas are beginning to leaf out.

pictures 19-Nov-2011

2011-11-22T15:08:00.000-06:00

Friday update> 11/11/11

2011-11-11T15:50:00.003-06:00

Here are the latest pictures: I am beginning to believe that some of the poinsettias were over plant growth regulated as I see some signs of leaf distortion. The growth regulator was likely applied on the poinsettia cutting prior to us receiving the un-rooted cutting. This distortion is apparent on a few leaves on the 8 and 9 inch pots. The small pots look very good.

Poinsettias are coloring up

2011-11-07T11:16:00.000-06:00

The poinsettias are coloring up nicely. The larger red poinsettias, 8.25 and 8.75 inch poinsettias experienced so slow growth during the summer months, but they are starting to show some good height. The large novelties are excellent! The smaller 6 and 7 inch red poinsettias are also nice.

From L-R: White Glitter, Burgundy, White

Close up of 8 inch White

L:R; Cinammon Star, White Glitter, Burgundy

Six inch Red Prestige

7 inch Red Prestige

8.25 inch Red - 4 plants per pot

8.75 inch Red - 5 plants per pot

Poinsettias are coloring up

2011-10-24T16:54:00.002-05:00

Here are a few pictures of the poinsettias coloring up. Overall, they look good.

Greenhouse heating system repairs.

2011-09-17T14:18:00.000-05:00

The first two of the new (we have had greenhouses since 1914 or so) greenhouses were built in 1984/5. After 26 years, my headers on the hot water heat system is failing. I have attempted temporary fixes for the past couple years, but this year I am replacing all the headers in the first two houses.

What is a header? A header is a distribution point. When hot water leaves the boiler and travels through 2.5 and 2 inch pipe under the benches, it goes up to the benches and is distributed through a header. The header is one inch pipe and transfers the water to micro tubing. The micro tubes are 1/4 inch in diameter. We have over 50,000 feet of micro tubing.

Here a few pictures of a header being replaced. The process is tedious.

This is an old header. Last year, I attempted to glue the leaking pieces. It worked OK. but its time for new.

Header cut out.

New header partially re-atttached to the micro tubes.

new poinsettia updates.

2011-09-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures of the 2011 poinsettia crop. As you can see we are spacing them out. So far this year's poinsettias look really good.

Facing west. As you can see one bench top is up. I am renovating the hot water heat headers.

one of the advantages of owning greenhouses and being a florist is that I can grow my own wedding flower centerpieces.

More wedding flowers. The wedding is an outdoor wedding scheduled for 8 Oct.

Poinsettia Production Update - Pinching Points!

2011-08-16T20:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, 15-Aug-2011, we pinched the single plant pot, the double plant pots and some of the three plants per pot. Our goal is pinch to 5-7 branches.

Branches are determined by the number of nodes. A node is the place where a leaf has developed off the main stem. Having more than 7 branches or flowers on one plant can be undesirable. The higher number of branches, the weaker the branches become. The plant distributes its energy equally between the branches.

Conversely, if there are only 3 or 4 branches, the resulting flowers will be larger than a plant with 5-7 or more. Here are a few pictures of the poinsettias as they appeared this afternoon.

Ball Field Trip... plants of interest

2011-08-05T08:22:00.001-05:00

Here are a few plants that I thought were interesting.

Coleus

Calibrochoa

Zinnia

Begoina

Petunia

Vinca

Sweet Potato Vine

Ball Horticulture Field Days Field Trip.

2011-08-03T13:00:00.001-05:00

Last Thursday and Friday, I toured the Ball Horticulture Field Trials. This is always a good trip as you get to see some new varieties and see how some current varieties are performing. Also, the participants can compare newer varieties against older ones. Here are a few pictures of the Ball Gardens. You can see more at my Facebook page.

Poinsettia Update 03-Aug-2011

2011-08-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

I have been a bit lax on posting weekly updates of the 2011 poinsettia crop. I intend for that trend to change starting today. We have experienced a lot of heat. For almost all of July, we had 95 plus degree heat and little rain. The first week of August is showing 95 plus degree heat.

The 6 inch plants were transplanted July 21-22. The roots are to the edge of the pot. We will likely pinch them next week. Also, that isn't fog in the air. The greenhouse is hot and humid and my camera was in the cold-dry shop

These are some of the larger novelty colored poinsettias.

Two plants per pot and they are look good.

Larger red combinations of red poinsettias. They are looking good.

Let's talk poinsettias

2011-07-12T10:55:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, we received our first shipment of poinsettias. The poinsettias come in as unrooted cuttings and we grow them on from there. Here is a picture of the poinsettias under mist. The picture is fogging due to the fact that outdoor temps and humidity is around 95 degrees plus and 95 plus humidity. The roots are starting to develop, so later this week we will begin transplanting.

Also, we started growing a few Gloxinias. These bell shaped-velvety flowers are spectacular.

It's a buy one get one free sale!

2011-06-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

Its time to get the greenhouses cleaned up as 3000 unrooted poinsettia cuttings arrived yesterday afternoon.

Starting tomorrow, any customer that walks in the greenhouses will enjoy a buy one get one free sale. The greenhouse spring plants need to go. So if you live in the greater Carlyle area, stop in and buy! We have a good selection of geraniums, miniature hardy roses, and perennials.

Good Friday Greenhouse Update

2011-04-22T08:44:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures as of 22-April-2011. Easter Lily sales were good and could have been better had I timed the crop a few days later. Hot April weekends matured the lilies faster than necessary, so we lost a few buds.

Lots of color and flowers

2011-04-15T17:48:00.001-05:00

As the greenhouse plants mature, the color out there is spectacular. ... but don't take my word.... look for yourself and see.....

yellow and blue hanging basket

Fuschis and white hanging basket

more yellow and blue hanging baskets

yep! you guessed it. orange and yellow hanging baskets

Here are a few plants that were transplanted last week and this week. They are sold to a municipal parks department

and some of their hanging baskets....

our geranimums... can you say over exposed? i know you can.

these are some really pretty pink hydrangeas, i just wish they had more flowers

Custom job for a municipality

I need a greenhouse stretcher.

2011-03-29T11:39:00.000-05:00

With Easter being so late this year, the greenhouse is almost completely full and I have a lot more plants coming in. I think we will have to use the back greenhouse. I would prefer to keep everything in the big houses so we can keep an eye on growing conditions, however, that isn' possible this year. Here are the latest pictures of the greenhouses. Notice the Easter Lilies are starting to bloom. They are a bit ahead of schedule, so I am now cooling that greenhouse down a bit. The hydrangeas are starting to color up.

Lots of 4.5 inch plants that are pre-sold.

6 pack

and sometimes we grow dandelions...no worries it will get removed prior to shipping

6 inch geraniums are phenomenal

hydrangeas coloring-up

a few early bloomers... they got sold this morning.

We are almost finished with the 6 pack transplanting. From there it is time for tomato and pepper transplanting. I still have to sow a few onions. If you have never tried growing onions from seedlings, you are missing out on some really great sweet tasting onions. One of our favorites is called Candy.

Punching Plugs - IT'S SPRING!

2011-03-22T08:23:00.000-05:00

In this edition of the blog, I am focusing on our transplanting activity. In the old days, we would sow seeds in a flat. The seeds would be broadcast in the flat and allowed to germinate. When it was time for transplanting, we would have to take a chunk of seedlings and soil and gently untangle the roots. Each seedling would have to then be hand dibbled into the pot or cell tray. Dibbling is punching a hole in soil to allow the roots to enter the soil undamaged.

Back in the early 1990's we transitioned from broadcasting seeds to placing the seed in individual cells. We have special seed sowing machines that allows us to move efficiently with this process. Germinating plug seedlings helped speed up the transplanting process, but nothing has sped up the process more than our Punch-n-Grow, transplanter.

The transplanter punches the seedling plug through the bottom of the cell. The cell bottom has an "X" cut that allows the small plant to move through. Underneath the plug tray is bedding plant flat. Our flats have 6-six packed trays. In other words, we punch 36 plants with each stroke of the Punch n Grow transplanter. The pictures will show you better than I can explain in words.

here are a few shots of the greenhouses this afternoon

2011-03-15T16:54:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I am running out of space. The back greenhouse is going to get utilized this year, where we will grown bedding plant flats.

The easter lilies are maturing right on schedule

Thinking Spring, cont'd......

2011-02-16T11:15:00.000-06:00

The greenhouses are starting to fill up with plants and the plants that are in the greenhouses are quickly filling out their containers.

Above picture shows some plant liners. These will get used in hanging baskets. The below picture shows some of the seedlings that we sowed in January. Another couple weeks and we will transplant them.

Blue hydrangeas are coloring up nicely.

Geraniums in six in pots. They are looking super!

Easter Lilies.... the moving target crop. This is a difficult crop to grow because Easter doesn't fall on the same date each year. Since it is a bulb crop, the timing of these plants is critical. You have to monitor this crop daily and sometimes hourly. Once the buds swell to a creamy white color, it is time to ship them.

This is a close up of the blue hydrangeas. I love that color!

Thinking Spring.................

2011-01-26T17:24:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe that I haven't added anything to this blog since 24-December. Since we are finished with poinsettias the blog will focus on Spring Holiday blooming plants and Spring and Summer garden plants.

In the first photo you see the Easter Lilies. They are about 4 inches tall.

The second shot the Easter Hydrangeas

and the third and fourth shots show us sowing and germinating seeds.

This is particularly interesting so I hope to give the germination process a lot of attention. Also, this week, we received our geraniums so as I take pictures of the greenhouses you should see it filling it up quickly.

Merry Christmas, 2010... the poinsettias are done. hello Easter.

2010-12-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

here is the last ... at least I think it is the last .... blog about the 2010 Christmas Poinsettia Season. It's hard to believe that the 6 months ago, my kids were out in the greenhouse with me sticking the unrooted poinsettia cuttings. As I conclude the poinsettia blog, I will start the Spring Bedding plant season blog. Hopefully, as we go through the cold months of January and February, the images of the little seedlings and cuttings will inspire new gardeners, as well as the experienced gardens to stop in the greenhouses in the next few months.

Nothing is better than eating fresh vine-ripened tomatoes from your own garden.

Anyway, here is how the greenhouse looks, 24-December-2010. We sold about 90 pct of the poinsettias.

A week before Christmas and all through Mioux's Greenhouses

2010-12-18T09:17:00.000-06:00

...poinsettias were moving out and into others peoples houses.

.Overall, we are having a good year with poinsettia sales. We had an excellent crop of poinsettias and attention to detail was paramount this year. We had to pay special attention to certain issues. One of those issues was white flies.

It appears that white flies have evolved and have become somewhat resistant to a very popular systemic insecticide. Close monitoring allowed us to switch to another insecticide.

Also, as we moved into November we needed to pay special attention to some fungal diseases. One of those diseases is Botrytis. Again careful monitoring and timely applications of fungicide prevented an outbreak.

Our wholesale customers have all been pleased with the quality and selections.

Christmas Feelings White: I really like this white poinsettia, however, I don't believe all customers will like it. It has a greenish white color. I will post comparisons of the other white poinsettias in the next blog. The other white poinsettias that I had this year was Mira and Mars. Both exhibited good strong branching. The bracts were a creamy-yellowy white.

The above red poinsettia is Christmas Day. We really like this poinsettia for both pinched and non-pinched configurations. The leaves are very dark green and the red bract is very deep in color.

Christmas Feelings Red: Excellent Branching, I probably won't use this poinsettia for non pinched poinsettias as side shoots emerged even without branching. Unfortunately, those side shoots zapped some of the plant's energy and didn't allow full main bract expansion.

Note, the above two photos. Both pictures were shot at the same time. I have noticed a little fading of red with Christmas Feelings. Overall, I still like Christmas Feelings.

Novelties: Sales of novelties, other than Ice Punch, were very weak this year. I will keep growing some of these types of plants but at reduced numbers.

Hopefully, I will post one more edition of Mioux Poinsettias 2010 before Christmas Eve Day. As a update to this blog. We will change the blog's focus from Poinsettias to Easter Lilies. We have 1200 planted and need to get another 1500 planted before 22-Dec-10.

Nice to see the poinsettias leave.

2010-12-03T15:05:00.000-06:00

We have seen a lot of the poinsettias leave the greenhouse this week. This week's pictures don't really show the holes on the benches were the poinsettias once were, but there are some big gaps now.

Poinsettias are colored up and are moving out....

2010-11-20T16:16:00.001-06:00

I try to post every Friday, however, the past couple weeks have been pretty hectic around here. Here are the latest images from this afternoon... 20-Nov-2010.

More red...............

2010-11-09T13:55:00.000-06:00

I am a couple days late with this post. I took a few pictures on Nov 8. As you can tell, the color is really starting to become more defined. Also note how the different varieties are maturing with either more or less color.

Poinsettia update 29-Oct-2010

2010-10-29T16:07:00.000-05:00

This week you will notice a large change out in the greenhouse. The poinsettia bracts have turned noticeably red for certain varieties while other varieties are slower to mature. This is by design. I do not want all them turning red at the same time. Some of these poinsettias will be ready for sale next week!

Poinsettia Update 23-Oct-2010

2010-10-23T12:03:00.000-05:00

Here are the latest poinsettia images from the greenhouse. There is a lot of color being added to the bracts compared to last week's edition. Note the difference in leaf color from Bench 12 and Bench 13. Those are two different red varieties. The last picture is that of the white hydrangeas. The flowers are developing nicely. Let me know what you think.....

Color is happening -

2010-10-17T13:26:00.002-05:00

This week, we definitely can see a change in the bracts color. Also, as daytime temps rise, I have also noticed an increase in white fly populations. We will take care of that problem tomorrow with a second application of a systemic insecticide.

The last picture shows a macro image of the beginning of the cyathia flower formation. (I was having some fun with my new Nikon 60mm macro lens.)

We have color! and its not just green....

2010-10-09T15:26:00.000-05:00

This week, we started noticing certain varieties beginning to show some color.

The hydrangeas are growing and showing excellent dark green color....

As mentioned earlier, some of the poinsettias were too light green the color is changing to a dark green foliage, but given today's light intensity the poinsettias still look light green. I am noticing a significant darkening of the leaves as well as some good growth.

Today, 9-October, we had day time temperatures in the mid to upper 80's with a lot of sun. Night time temperatures have been in the low 40's so that means I have been heating the greenhouses.

poinsettias are finally completely spaced out....

2010-10-02T17:43:00.001-05:00

As mentioned last week, my timing of removing the shade, in conjunction with 95 plus degree sunny days (interior of greenhouse topped over 100 degrees) led to some yellowing.

After checking my water alkalinity and testing the poinsettia's Ph I found that the Ph is too high. It is a tad over 7. Today, we started injecting a 21-7-7 Acid fertilizer at 300 ppm.

Also, this week saw the temps start dropping and we are headed for the 40's. Over the past couple days I have been working on the heating system. Plastic, rubber and extreme greenhouse temperatures don't always make for the best conditions. I knew I had some broken micro-tubing fittings, so those were repaired. The boiler needs a cleaning and I will work on that next week. However, this weekend the poinsettias will stay at ideal night time temperatures.

Also, we transplanted the white hydrangeas. So in addition to seeing the poinsettias progress this fall, you can follow and watch the Christmhas hydrangeas grow

Bench 12

White Hydrangeas

Repaired micro tube elbow?

Poinsettia update:

2010-09-22T16:21:00.000-05:00

After removing the shade cloth, the poinsettias turned a bit yellow, however, that will change as the plants acclimate to the new light and we adjust fertilizers.

In addition to the the poinsettias, I received the hydrangeas yesterday. Note the variety? Snowball. I would say that is an appropriate name for them.

Poinsettia Update: Final Spacing.

2010-09-10T17:47:00.002-05:00

Supplemental light

non-pinched poinsettias

This week we concluded the final spacing on most of the poinsettias. One bench still needs to be spaced. Also we removed the shade cloth from the greenhouse roofs.

Spacing continues

2010-09-03T08:58:00.001-05:00

As of this morning the poinsettias continue their fine growth rate. Here are some shots I took early this morning...actually it wasn't too early...7:30am isn't early right?.

there's a whole lot of breakin' goin' on.....

2010-08-27T17:17:00.005-05:00

The poinsettia crop is moving along beautifully. Here are a few shots of the plants progress and the branching (breaking) is looking really good!

We are noticing a few white flies popping up, but spraying has begun. I usually spray every Sunday, until we are within the time limits to apply a systemic insecticide that moves through the plant. Up until then we spray.

Poinsettia Update: Nip and tuck, aka pinching.

2010-08-20T08:37:00.000-05:00

Over the past week, we have pinched most of the poinsettias. Pinching is the practice of removing the tip of the plant to encourage side branching. Side branching occurs at the node of the the stem. The node is the location where a leaf is attached to the stem.

Our goal is to have 5-7 side branches per plant. Each side branch will develop a flower. Here are a couple pictures of the poinsettias after tip removal. Review last blog for comparison. The pinched poinsettias no longer look as lush as the previous non pinched version, but they will make a much showier plant.

Poinsettia Focus on Growth

2010-08-06T14:22:00.002-05:00

In this installment of my poinsettia blog, I will discuss growth characteristics. All of the poinsettias in this montage of images were planted within a couple days of each other. The difference I observe is the south end poinsettias (the hotter end of the greenhouse) are shorter and growing slower than the north end (the cooler part of the greenhouse).

The greenhouse is configured with a side vent and cool cell cooling system on the north wall of the greenhouse and the exhaust fans are on the south end of the greenhouse. To cool the greenhouse, the fans draw outside air from the north side of the greenhouse through the building and exhausts it on the south end. Cooling is enhanced with a wet sump cool cell system. Water is trickled over a cardboard type cell. Outside air moves across the wet cell. As cool moist air picks up greenhouse hot air, the south fans exhausts the hot air from the greenhouse. When outside air humidity is low we can lower the greenhouse temperature 10-15 degrees.

The problem is that the north end is normally cooler than the south end and that is why I am writing this blog edition. The heat has had a dramatic impact on the growth rate of the poinsettias. The first image shows the south end of the greenhouse. If you look close you can see in taller lusher green plants on the north end.

The outside air temperatures have been in the 90's for the past three to four weeks.

The photo monatage shows four pictures moving from south to north. note the difference.

South end: note height & leaves vs back ground

here is a better example, note the foreground shorter than the back/right side

here is where you can really start seeing the difference

note the leaf expansion from photo three. These leaves are larger.

Poinsettia Spotlight On: Christmas Season

2010-08-03T17:42:00.000-05:00

Here is the third red poinsettia that is being highlighted in this year's offerings. We have Christmas Season in a 6 inch pot that will be pinched for multi-flowering.

According to Selecta......
The brand new, early-season Christmas
Season series presents a high-quality

look thanks to its large, showy bracts
with thick, long-lasting centers and
thick, sturdy stems. The energy-effi cient
varieties have dark green foliage,
excellent branching, and very good
post-harvest characteristics. These
medium-vigor plants are adaptable to a
wide variety of product forms.

This type of poinsettia will lend itself well to table
sized poinsettias rather than the large, 10-14 inch
containers. The new varieties are definitely making
more and more decorating options available. Today,
we can plant vigorous, medium vigorous and shorter growing varieties.

Spotlight on Selecta's Christmas Day

2010-07-23T07:56:00.002-05:00

Here is one of the new varieties that we are growing this year. The poinsettia name is Christmas Day. Christmas Day is a Dark Red Bract plant with large cyathias (the actual flower). It is an energy efficient plant that has a great "V" shape, strong branches and a medium vigor. As energy costs, as well as other input costs continue to rise, we are always looking for new plants that will allow us to grow the best plant with the least amount input cost. This plant will allow us to keep the greenhouse a bit cooler than some of the older varieties as well, hopefully, eliminate the need for expensive growth regulators.

from unrooted cuttings to rooted cuttings...we're sticking!

2010-07-19T17:34:00.001-05:00

Here is the latest installment of the poinsettia crop 2010. Last week the poinsettias finally had enough new roots and the plants were making a few new leaves that I decided it was time to start planting. So on Thursday, we started filling pots with potting soil and setting them on the benches. They are grouped in various sizes based on the variety and the number of plants per pot. Here are a couple pictures showing a few of the poinsettias planted and a shot of the pots dibbled (holes poked in the soil to allow for the rooted Oasis wedge. Enjoy the pictures.

The variety to the above-left is called Christmas Feelings Red. The cuttings are very consistent in stem caliper, length and root structure. These plants are off to a great start.

Spotlight on............

2010-07-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

Over the next few blogs I will spotlight a certain variety that I am growing. The first in this series of blogs will be our flagship poinsettia, Prestige and Early Prestige.

Prestige is a star poinsettia because it does everything a grower wants in a poinsettia and does it well. Included in that list is a great shape. Ideally, you want to see poinsettias with a nice "V" shape. Strong branches is another desirable trait. Prestige and Early Prestige can survive shipping, sleaving, delivery, sleaving, etc quite well. The stems don't break as easily as some of its predecessors.

Both of these varieties come from Ecke Poinsettias and the color is deep red bracts with dark green leaves. Early prestige is marketable around mid November for me, while Prestige is ready the first week in December.

It is a winner!

poinsettias.....still rooting.

2010-07-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

After numerous days of losing leaves and plants with the first group of poinsettias, I think I won't be losing much more. I did a quick count and guess I lost probably 700 out of 3000. Way way way too many!

However, on the adjacent bench, the poinsettias look fantastic. I have never seen a more consistent group of poinsettias as those that are there from the second sticking. Pictures tomorrow.

more roots...on the poinsettia cuttings

2010-07-03T11:48:00.000-05:00

As I arrived at work this morning, I walked out in the greenhouse and noticed more roots forming. We are entering the next phase of propagation which is the callus and the roots. Less mist is required but the Oasis Wedge (the rooting media) must stay moist. If it dries out, the wedge will never rehydrate.

To circumvent some of those problems, I have been using a capillary mat. Capillary mats allow for irrigation from the bottom up. The benefit is dry leaves with moist rooting stems.

Poinsettia Roots forming

2010-07-02T11:35:00.003-05:00

I have two benches of poinsettias, the first group is Ecke Prestige Red and Early Prestige Red. These poinsettias concerned me because I was losing a lot of leaves and have experienced some rotting.

The other bench is Selecta poinsettias (different hybridizer) and those poinsettias have looked wonderful. I have lost leaves, but nothing like the first group.

The only difference is that the first group was stuck June 15 while the second group was stuck June 24.

This morning I walked out to the poinsettias and started pulling a few of the first bench poinsettias out from the trays. The good news is even though the plants don't look as nice as the second group, they are starting to show roots.

the after effects.....poinsettias make a comeback!

2010-06-28T16:09:00.004-05:00

This morning, I walked out to the greenhouse and looked at the poinsettias that had gotten overheated and dehydrated. Plants are amazing. The first picture is today's condition. The second shot shows the initial damage. Overall, the poinsettias recovered pretty well.

The Oasis wedges never dried out so the plants still had some humidity. The first few days are really critical and you have to stay observant and make minor (or major) changes every few hours.

and sometimes things go wrong.....

2010-06-27T13:45:00.003-05:00

I think many people want put their best show forward on blogs. However, I think differently. I have been propagating poinsettias or helping my dad propagate poinsettias for 40 years. I am 50.

The first grower who tells you they never make a mistake is pulling your leg. Stuff happens. One little slip can cause problems. I found a problem yesterday and thanks to my posting on this blog, I found it earlier rather than later.

The mist lines are made up of ten foot sections. The spacing between each mister is three feet. Therefore there is a definite sequence that is required for connecting one length of pipe to another. If that sequence is violated the spacing of the nozzles will change from 3 feet to 5 ft.

It happened out in the greenhouse. One section is misplaced. Why is this important? It is important because the poinsettia cuttings under that section of pipe did not receive proper misting on Friday and Saturday. I discovered this problem yesterday, Sat, at 5:30.

Hopefully, I will be able to salvage some of these poinsettias. We will see. Here is a picture of them. They don't look very good.

The Day After............

2010-06-26T12:16:00.000-05:00

The day after inserting poinsettia cuttings into the Oasis Wedges is always are critical time. The plants always seem to wilt given Midwest weather, so the faster they re-hydrate and become turgid the better for the plant.

Here are couple photos showing showing the day after. Note in the pictures that there are two different types of mist nozzles. I experimented with these nozzles. The brass nozzles apparently give much better coverage than the plastic nozzle. Notice the wilted plants under the plastic nozzle.

The brass nozzles are old style while the plastic is a new generation of misting nozzle. This is not to say the plastic is inferior, what it means is that a different type of spacing is required for the plastic nozzles. Maybe two runs of pipe, rather than one. Also, having the plastic nozzles spaced closer together would be helpful and then alternating the directions of spray orifice so that they are not set in the same direction.

Poinsettias 2010, Time to Propagate

2010-06-25T07:56:00.000-05:00

Last week, we began propagating poinsettias. For the first time, we did not buy in Stock plants in order to take our own poinsettia cuttings. Stock plants are like "mother" plants. We snip off the tips and root the tips.

This year, we bought in unrooted cuttings (URC). The advantage was consistent size cuttings. Consistency occurs both in the caliper and the length.

Last week, we inserted 3000 red URC poinsettias in Oasis Rooting Media wedges. The varieties included Ecke Early Prestige and Prestige. We like these varieties because they have strong stems and color up early, especially Early Prestige. Early Prestige will be available around mid-Novemeber.

Yesterday, we inserted another 3200 Red poinsettias. These cuttings came from Selecta First Class and include the following Christmas Day, Eve, and Season. Also in Christmes Feelings Marble, Pink, Slect and White. Google these varieties. You will be amazed at the differences.