Early Potomac

CROP TIME

From planting to harvest: 10 weeks

STEM HEIGHT 

100 -150 cm 

PLANTING DENSITY

90 plants/m2 net 

PRE-PLANTING

Soil: Well surfaced, loose soil with no clusters; at least 25 cm (10 in.) deep.

PH: 5.5 to 6.5

Netting:  2 levels

FLOWERING GROUPS

Snapdragons are grouped based on the response of the varieties to night time temperatures, light intensity and day length.

TEMPERATURE

• Group 1: Night -45-50oF (7-10oC), Day – 50- 55oF (10-13oC).

• Group 2: Night -50-55oF (10-13oC), Day – 55- 60oF (13-16oC).

• Group 3: Night -55-60oF (13-16oC), Day – 60- 65oF (16-18oC).

• Group 4: Night temperature above 60oF (>16oC), Day >65oF (>18oC).

Generally, the lower temperatures in the range gives the best quality, but at the expense of a longer crop time.

LIGHT

• Group 1: low light night 1,000 to 1,500 foot candles.

• Group 2: moderate light 1,500 to 3,000 foot candles.

• Group 3: moderate to high light 2,500 to 4,500 foot candles.

• Group 4: high light 3,000 to 5,000 foot candles.

IRRIGATION & FERTILIZATON

Begin with overhead irrigation, then switch to drip irrigation one (1) week after transplant.  Volume from 4 to 5 L/day/m2..

Excessive side shoots are an indication of high moisture or inappropriate fertilization levels.  A general fertilization formula can be:

N: 80 ppm

P: 40 ppm

K: 160 ppm

Ca: 120 ppm

Mg: 60 ppm

S: 50 ppm

Fe: 2 ppm

Mn: 2.5 ppm

Cu, Zn y B: 0.2 ppm.

HARVEST

Harvest when 3 - 6 flowers are opened.

POST HARVEST TREATMENT

Hydrate in AVB solution (0.5 cm3 / Lt of Water) and AVB Booster (1 cm3 / Lt) for two hours. Subsequently hydrate in Chrysal Professional 2 at a dose of 10 cm3 / Lt for 4 hours

STORAGE

Snapdragons should be stored and shipped upright to prevent curvature of the spikes.

PESTS & DISEASES

•Botrytis

•Thrips sp

•Aphids

•Downey mildewTM