C) Outdoor finishing (SOP)
Hardened, robust crop – natural climate, lower energy demand
The strength of outdoor finishing is hardening: plants build more resilient tissue and cope better with planting/sales stress. The challenge is managing extremes (frost, wind, sudden warming, rainfall, pest pressure), so the technology is based on good timing, appropriate spacing and the ‘dry foliage’ principle.
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In brief Objective & risks C0 Immediate potting C1 Placement & frost protection C2 Spacing & structure building C3 Irrigation–feed C4 IPM outdoors C5 Hardening & despatch ‘Ship dry’ Common mistakes Why is it an advantage?
In brief – outdoor route in 10 steps
- Immediate final pot: NEONATAL should NOT stand around unprocessed for days.
- Planting depth: typically 3–4 cm deeper than the original media level (stability).
- Placement: in a frost-free period; if necessary, gradual ‘hardening off’.
- Frost protection: fleece/agri-textile on risk nights.
- Spacing: air movement between pots; rapid leaf drying to reduce fungal pressure.
- Structure: cut back after about 4 weeks (~10 cm), then pinch dominant shoots at 5 leaves.
- Irrigation: preferably from below (ebb & flow/capillary/drip); overhead irrigation to be avoided.
- EC logic: cool/wet → higher EC can work; warm/dry → lower EC.
- IPM: prevention = spacing + leaf drying + hygiene + monitoring.
- Despatch: hardened batch, with dry foliage and a non-dripping substrate (‘ship dry’).
Related: IPM → ‘Ship dry’ →
PHARMAROSA® NEONATAL
Outdoor finishing – indicative scheduling table (guide 10–12 weeks; hardened, robust crop in natural climate)
| Stage / operation | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Goods in → immediate potting into sales pot + first irrigation | ◆ | | | | | | | | | | |
| Planting 3–4 cm deeper (stable stand) + coarser, well-draining, peat-based substrate | ◆ | | | | | | | | | | |
| Placement / acclimatisation (gradual hardening off to the outdoors) | | ■ | ■ | | | | | | | | |
| Frost protection on risk nights (cover/fleece, sheltered positioning – as needed) | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | | | | | | | |
| Spacing and spreading out (good air movement, rapid leaf drying; drained, clean surface) | | | ◆ | ◆ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| Cut back about 4 weeks after planting (guide ~10 cm above media surface; uniform level) | | | | | ◆ | | | | | | |
| Pinching of strong basal shoots 2–3 weeks later (standard: pinch at first 5 leaves) | | | | | | | ◆ | ◆ | | | |
| Irrigation–nutrition: bottom irrigation + EC / pH aligned to climate | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| IPM monitoring + hygiene (prevention = spacing + leaf drying; intervention as required) | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| Finishing / flowering (weather-dependent; longer early spring, faster later) | | | | | | | | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| Hardening + despatch preparation | | | | | | | | | | ■ | ■ |
| Saleability / despatch (finished, flowering product) | | | | | | | | | | | ◆ |
◆ = single operation / milestone
■ = continuous period in the given weeks
Outdoors, quality hinges on spacing and rapid leaf drying. In frost risk, cover as required (for example fleece/agri-textile); pots should stand on a well-drained, clean surface. Irrigation preferentially from below; overhead irrigation is not recommended. Always ship dry.
Objective & risk points (outdoors)
- Objective: robust, hardened finished product that tolerates commercial and planting stress well.
- Main risks: extremes (frost, wind, sudden heat) + slow drying after rain.
- Quality criteria: appropriate spacing, clean foliage, stable substrate, uniform bush shape.
C0) Planting timing: ‘immediately into final pot’
Basic rules
- Immediate potting after arrival is recommended.
- Temporary storage only in a cool, bright place; avoid dark storage.
Plant number / pot (starting standard)
| Pot size | NEONATAL / pot (guide) | Comment |
| 2 litre | 2 plants | Fast cycle, compact bush |
| 3 litre | 3 plants | Fuller appearance |
| 6 litre | 4 plants | Premium bench display |
Planting depth
- Proven logic: 3–4 cm deeper than the original tray/media level (stability).
- Do not bury leaves or petioles.
Substrate
- Coarser, well-draining, peat-based substrate.
- No universal recipe: fine-tune according to water quality and irrigation system.
Details: Pot size & plant density → Substrate, pH, EC →
C1) Placement timing (frost-free period) + acclimatisation
Frost-free principle
- Placement in a frost-free period; early in the season, a cold house/tunnel can help for a transitional phase.
- Acclimatisation (‘hardening off’): gradual adaptation to wind, sun and night cooling.
Frost protection (practical)
- Fleece/agri-textile for risk nights.
- Sheltered location; avoid ‘frost pocket’ low spots.
C2) Spacing, spreading, plant form regulation
2.1 Spacing and spreading (quality and IPM)
- The aim is rapid leaf drying – outdoors this is one of the strongest ‘free’ plant protection tools.
- Place pots on a well-drained, clean surface (gravelled/drained bed, bench, weed-control fabric).
- Spread out before full canopy closure: there should be an ‘air corridor’ between plants.
2.2 Pruning / cut back and pinching (outdoor rhythm)
- After about 4 weeks: a real cut back (not just trimming) – guide ~10 cm above media surface.
- 2–3 weeks later: pinch dominant basal shoots at the first 5 leaves (counting from the shoot tip).
- For large batches, a uniform level can also be created with hedge trimmers – what matters is batch uniformity.
In detail: Pruning–pinching →
C3) Irrigation and nutrition outdoors
Irrigation – basic principle: from below, not overhead
- Best: ebb & flow in the container area/on benches.
- Alternative: capillary bed/mat or drip.
- Overhead irrigation to be avoided (long leaf wetness period → fungal risk).
Rhythm – no universal schedule
- Rainfall, wind, temperature and radiation decide.
- Practical control: pot weight + substrate condition + ‘do not go into the night wet’.
pH / EC (guidance, if measured)
- Substrate pH: about 5.3–5.8; irrigation solution pH: about 5.5–5.8 (guide values).
- EC logic: cool/wet (less frequent irrigation) → EC 1.5–1.8 can work; warm/dry → preferably 1.2 or below.
In detail: Irrigation → Substrate, pH, EC →
C4) Managing disease and pest pressure (IPM)
- Prevention: spacing + rapid leaf drying + bottom irrigation + hygiene.
- Monitoring: weekly inspection, mark hotspots; intervene as required, not by calendar.
- In cold/cool conditions: not all tools perform the same – select solutions matched to temperature.
Core principles in detail: IPM & sustainability →
C5) Hardening, finishing, bench clearance / despatch preparation
Hardening – the natural advantage of the outdoor route
- Natural climate → firmer, more robust tissue.
- More stable stress tolerance at planting and in the supply chain.
Time requirement (guideline)
- Early spring typically 14–16 weeks; later (May–June) 12–14 weeks can be sufficient (temperature-dependent).
Despatch: ‘ship dry’ (critical outdoors as well)
- Timing of final irrigation: at loading, foliage is dry and the pot is not dripping.
- Do not pack damp, humid stock; avoid overhead irrigation immediately before loading.
Detailed protocol: ‘Ship dry’ →
Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
- Dense spacing: slow leaf drying → spread out, ensure air corridors.
- Overhead irrigation: higher fungal pressure → switch to bottom irrigation, improve timing.
- Very early placement before frost: stress/damage → gradual placement and protection.
- Dominant shoots: one-sided habit → pinch (5 leaves) and level the batch.
Why is the outdoor route an advantage for customers?
- Robust plant: better tolerance at planting and in retail.
- Lower energy demand: natural climate, more stable cost base.
- IPM-friendly: with good spacing, many risks can be prevented.
- Own-root advantage: more uniform plant performance, more stable regeneration and structure building.
Would you like to discuss starting parameters for the outdoor route?
We can support you in timing placement, choosing spacing and irrigation system, and scheduling structure building (10 cm cut back + pinch at 5 leaves) to suit your own site.
Request a consultation Or contact us directly at: [email protected]
PharmaRosa® NEONATAL – C) Outdoor route
Hardened, robust crop – disciplined spacing and leaf-drying.