Kalanchoe

ArgicinPlus forms the basis of resilience during the propagation of kalanchoe

At the propagator, every new kalanchoe starts as a cutting taken from the mother plant. The cut surface of this cutting is especially vulnerable and requires additional attention to develop a good root system. The resilience of the cutting is also tested later on during propagation, when it is delivered to the grower to be potted on. To boost resilience before delivery to the grower, our advice to the propagator is to dip the cutting in our CE-marked fertiliser ArgicinPlus. This base product is a combination of urea, silicon (orthosilicic acid), willow bark extract and colloidal silver.

• Silicon is built into the cell walls of the stalk and leaf and literally strengthens these. Silicon also improves the internal transport of water and the absorption of nutrients.
• The willow bark extract is important for root development and encourages faster and more uniform growth. The young kalanchoe cuttings grow better and more evenly; you will experience fewer failures.
• Colloidal silver plays a role as regulator, preventing the leaf temperature from rising as quickly.

By being dipped by the propagator, the cutting has more time to absorb the fertiliser and it becomes more resilient when it is potted on by the grower. If, as a grower, your cuttings have not been dipped, you can include this step as part of building the plants’ resilience. If you are unable to dip the plants for practical reasons, the alternative is to water the plants with ArgicinPlus after potting them on and before these are placed in the greenhouse. You then immediately give the plants sufficient water. If you want to continue with biological crop protection afterwards, this can be done and there are no further waiting periods.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - ArgicinPlus in propagation of kalanchoe

• Add 0.2 litres of ArgicinPlus to 50 litres of water (= 2 litres/500 litres of water) to a dipping basin and dip the plugs in this mixture for at least 15 minutes.
• If you decide to irrigate, the required concentration for the solution is 1 litre of ArgicinPlus to 500 litres of water.

Tip for the propagator

ArgicinPlus is a fertiliser that can be widely used, including to make mother plants more robust and to improve their vitality. ArgicinPlus also ensures more uniform plants with higher dry matter content.

Maintain resilience after potting on at the grower with CE marked biostimulant SilicaPower

After potting on the kalanchoe cuttings and basic treatment with ArgicinPlus, you can continue with our CE-biostimulant SilicaPower to maintain and, where possible, improve resilience. The silicon in SilicaPower strengthens the cell walls (including those of the roots) and epidermis of the leaf, improves distribution and absorption of nutrients (including calcium) for better internal moisture management and therefore reduces drought stress. Stronger, more resilient plants generally makes them less susceptible to infection and it’s also more difficult for pests to pierce a stronger cell wall. Research by WUR Glastuinbouw (Wageningen University & Research Greenhouse Horticulture) shows that kalanchoes that have absorbed additional silicon are affected less (up to 85%) by powdery mildew and Phytophthora.

Recommended dosage/advice for use - SilicaPower in kalanchoe

• 0.35 litres of SilicaPower per hectare per week. 
• Start: immediately after potting on (until the end of cultivation).
   

Administer SilicaPower through irrigation (dose from the A fertiliser feeder or separate fertiliser injector based on the aforementioned dose) or spray over the crop (then increase the dose to 0.5 litres/ha/week). It can be drip fed via the irrigation system, but definitely also through ebb and flow systems. Because of its distinctive purity (no other salts are added and low EC (0.02 mS), SilicaPower is highly suitable for closed growing systems.

Temporary additional stress conditions in kalanchoe plants?

If despite all your efforts to improve resilience your crop experiences additional stress conditions temporarily, we recommend also using our CE-marked fertiliser Cuprum which contains micro-copper whilst the conditions continue. This fertiliser boosts growth and photosynthesis and therefore the quality of your kalanchoes. Dose: 0.25 litres/ha/week. Cuprum can be administered at the same time as SilicaPower.

Keep your irrigation water clean with Blue Bac water-maintenance products

To grow your kalanchoes as stress-free as possible, the plants must always have plenty of high-quality feed water available to them. Organic contaminants in the water basin/silo or in the irrigation system will lead to irreversible problems. Prevent these with our 100% natural water-maintenance products Blue Bac-1 and Blue-Bac-2.

No algae in the basin/silo with Blue Bac-1 and no blockages in the pipes with Blue Bac-2

Both Blue Bac products are bacterial products, each with their own bacteria and therefore a specific action. With Blue Bac-1, algae in basins are barely given the chance to grow. The bacteria in Blue Bac-1 compete with algae for nutrition. Over the course of just a few weeks or months, they will die. Plus, dead algae are more easily and effectively digested. In just a short period of time, your basin/silo will be clear and will remain clear.

Blue Bac-2 is most effective when used in the pipes and drippers of your irrigation system. The enzymes formed by the bacteria in Blue Bac-2 form a sort of very smooth coating on the inside of the pipes, which organic contaminants such as sand or phosphate deposits cannot adhere to. The use of Blue Bac-2 also has a positive effect on the root development of plants and helps you to maintain the pH (stability) of your feed water.

Recommended dosage/advice for use Blue Bac-1

• As a starting dose, administer 2.0 litres of Blue Bac-1/500 m³ of basin water in the spring. The best result can be expected at a water temperature upwards of 12°C (usually in mid-April).
• Repeat the application of Blue Bac-1 every month at a dose of 1.0 litre/500 m³ of basin water.
• To achieve the best effect, Blue Bac-1 should be mixed through the water thoroughly, moving horizontally. Therefore, add the product as far away from the intake point as possible. Thorough aeration using a Venturi or waterfall also improves the effect.
• Important! Make sure that the basin water moves horizontally. Stagnant water is ideal for algae growth and it does not thrive as well in moving water. The bacteria in Blue Bac-1 will then do the rest.

Recommended dosage/advice for use Blue Bac-2

• Start with 5 litres of Blue Bac-2/ha, given in a single shot from a separate fertilizer injector or add to the day storage tank or the A fertilizer feeder. For the best effect, we recommend aerating the irrigation water properly with a Venturi or waterfall.
• Repeat this dose every month until the end of the growing season.
   

Important tip

The recommended product ArgicinPlus cannot be used in irrigation water to which hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or another product containing chlorine has been added. Blue Bac-1 and Blue Bac-2 are natural alternatives to H₂O₂ or other chemical disinfectants, such as hypochlorite. Contact our advisor to discuss our solution if you nevertheless wish to use hydrogen peroxide at the same time as Argicin-Plus.

Additional advice?

Do you have additional questions or would you like to know which biostimulants and CE-marked fertilisers are most suited to your own growing situation? Contact your dealer or our advisor Alwin Scholten for advice. Ring Alwin on telephone number +31 (0)6 49 33 49 30 or email him on alwin.scholten@plantosys.nl.