How to Grow Coreopsis for Commercial Production
Follow these tips on how to grow Coreopsis auriculata ‘Nana’ to see your starter plants flourish in your commercial greenhouse. Our Dwarf Tickseed liners come ready to be transplanted into your final containers. In this short guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully send your liners from trays all the way to your customer’s yard. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The basics of planting and finishing Tickseed liners and plugs
- How to time your starter plants
- How to sell Coreopsis and help your customers succeed at growing it
How to Grow Coreopsis in Your Greenhouse
To begin, use one liner per 4-inch container or 1801, or use 3-4 liners in each gallon container. Plant them in well-drained soil in the middle of the container. Completely bury the Ellepot. Then place containers in full sun to partial shade.
Four-inch containers should be spaced about 4-6 inches apart for airflow; gallon containers should be spaced 8-12 inches apart.
Pinch once, about 5-10 days after transplanting.
You don’t need to worry about chemical growth regulators with Coreopsis, as long as the plants are in daily temperatures of 65-70℉. This plant is day length neutral but will do best with bulking prior to flowering.
Use 150-200 ppm of a balanced fertilizer. Maintain a pH of 6.1-7.8. Under artificial grow lights, Coreopsis does best with 5,000-8,000 fc.
Coreopsis isn’t especially prone to disease, but Powdery Mildew and Botrytis can develop. These diseases most commonly show up in cooler temperatures, during shorter days, in wet, humid environments. You can prevent them with a few simple practices:
- Water early in the day to allow plants to dry out before nightfall.
- Provide sufficient airflow. We’ve found using horizontal airflow fans to be helpful at preventing fungus.
- Space containers to allow air and light to penetrate down to the soil in each starter plant.
Fungus and gray rot outbreaks can be treated with chemical sprays. We generally recommend Strike, Systhane (Eagle), Pipron, Terraguard, and Heritage to combat Powdery Mildew. Medallion and Banrot typically treat Botrytis. For more information on treating fungus in your greenhouse, check out Three Most Common Fungi Found On Plants.
Starter Plant Timing
Plant your plugs in 4-inch containers at least 4-6 weeks before they’ll be available to your customers. Give gallon containers 8-10 weeks to finish from rooted plugs.
How Your Customers Can Use Tickseed Plant
Dwarf Tickseed is typically used in perennial borders, mixed containers, or as groundcover. Your customers will love the cheery yellow flowers and how easy it is to care for the plant.
The dwarf mounding habit is more compact than other Coreopsis, at just 6-12 inches. The starter will spread by rhizomes up to 2 feet wide. Tell your customer to space the starter plants 16-20 inches for groundcover or to spread over a 2-foot area in a border front.
Customers can plant Coreopsis in full sun or partial shade. It attracts pollinators during its Spring-Summer bloom, making it a lovely addition to butterfly gardens.
Encourage regular watering, especially during the first year. This will help establish an expansive and healthy root system for a flourishing plant and successful customer!
You may consider carrying other flowers that pair well with Coreopsis in borders or containers to offer to your customers along with Tickseed. Some flowers that pair well are:
- Herb Salvia Sallyfun Bicolor Blue
- Achillea Desert Eve Yellow
- Phlox Phloxstar Red
- Scabiosa Butterfly Blue
- Gaillardia Barbican Red
You can also find more information and ideas for Tickseed care and uses here:
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Coreopsis auriculata ‘Nana’
Piedmont Master Gardeners: Coreopsis — A Top 10 Favorite