Antirrhinum majus F1 Admiral Early flowering F1 hybrid Antirrhinum suitable for Winter production due very uniform growth and flowering under short days. Early-flowering variety/Group I Very uniform growth and flowering under short day conditions in Winter Bright, clear flower colours Tightly-spaced florets on long flower spikes Indoor/outdoor Culture Guide Plug Culture Stage 1 Plant Culture Media Transplanting Temperature (days 1-7) Select a well-drained media with a pH between 5.5-5.8 and little or no starter charge. Maintain a soil temperature of 18°C. Ensure even moisture in the seedling trays without over saturating. Either sow uncovered (chamber) or with a light coating of coarse vermiculite (greenhouse). Do not cover completely as Antirrhinum needs light to germinate. Seedlings are very sensitive to soluble salts so maintain EC <0.6 mmhos (1:2 slurry). Keep ammonium levels at less than 5 ppm. (days 8-14) Maintain soil temperature between 15-18°C and sufficient moisture levels once radicle emergence occurs. Even moisture but not saturated for best rooting. Keep the soil pH between 5.55.8, and EC levels less than 0.75 mmhos (1:2 slurry). Once the cotyledons are fully expanded, begin fertilizing with 50-75 ppm N using a well-balanced calcium and potassium nitrate based fertilizer. Antirrhinum seedlings are very sensitive to high salt and ammonium levels. If the media contains a starter charge, additional liquid fertilization may not be necessary at this stage. Watering early in the day will help to prevent disease. (days 15-28) To produce the best root growth, keep soil temperature between 13-15°C and allow the soil to dry thoroughly between irrigations (do not allow seedlings to wilt). Maintain the soil pH at 5.55.8 and EC levels at less than 1.0 mmhos (1:2 slurry). Increase fertilizer to 100-150 ppm N from a wellbalanced calcium and potassium nitrate based fertilizer. The use of Cal/Mag specials like 15-5-15 is ideal as Antirrhinum seedlings require adequate levels of magnesium. Attempt to maintain approximately 3 potassium: 2 calcium: 1 magnesium in the medium for the best growth. Avoid ammonium based fertilizers. If necessary, or as preventative, apply fungicides to control pythium and/or Rhizoctonia. (day 30) Seedlings have two pairs of leaves and are now ready for transplanting into cut flower beds. Do not delay transplanting! If absolutely necessary, plugs can be stored at 2-4°C. In order to prevent Botrytis, treat with a fungicide. Reduce fertilizer to tone the plants and prepare them for the transition from the plug tray into the cut flower bed. Plant into raised ground beds containing a soil that is high in organic matter with good aeration and drainage. Ideally, the soil should be free of disease-causing organisms with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Use support netting. Spacing ranges from 85-110 plants per m2 depending on light levels. In general, the lower range of recommended night temperatures yields the highest quality cuts the expense of longer crop time. During extended periods of low light maintain temperatures at the lower range. Optimum day temperature is 5-10 degrees higher than the night temperature. Sakata Ornamentals Europe Odensevej 82, 5290 Marslev, Denmark, +45 63906490, fax. +45 63906499 [email protected], www.sakataornamentals.

Pests & diseases Group selection Crop schedule Post harvest handling Irrigate the seedling with clear water after transplanting and then commence liquid feeding, as needed, to maintain EC levels less than 2.5 mmhos (1:2 slurry). Using 150-200 ppm N from a wellbalanced calcium and potassium nitrate based fertilizer is recommended. Avoid formulations that are high in ammonium. Excess fertilizer levels will encourage excessive side shoots. Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Botrytis. Major pests include Aphids, Mites and Thrips. Fungus gnats and shore flies can be a concern in plug...