Chicken Gizzard (also known as Iresine Bloodleaf Plant) is native to Brazil and is an unusual, ever-colorful plant. It has glossy, oval leaves that measure 2 1/2 inches across and are sure to set you apart from the competition. Chicken Gizzard makes a great-looking houseplant, but they can live outside as an annual (or a soft perennial in frost-free zones 10 and 11). These plants can reach heights up to five feet tall, but when grown in a container as an annual you should expect 12-18 inches of growth. The colorful leaves make it a great choice for combination planters or stand-alone baskets.
Growing Tips
For best results with Chicken Gizzard, use a constant-but-low feed program of
150-200 ppm N. A
pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is important for the healthiest plant color.
Pinching
Chicken Gizzard
need to be pinched. First pinch should be 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container (once the plant is well established).Chicken Gizzard tend to get leggy, so proper pinching is a must when internodal growth gets too long. You can also encourage compact growth by staying toward the bottom end of the fertilizer range.
Spacing
With proper pinching, Chicken Gizzard plants can be successfully grown in an 1801 or other market tray. For 4" pots and larger, space pots
as needed for pot size to allow air flow and penetration of light.HeightControl
Plant growth regulators are not necessary for Chicken Gizzard as long as proper pinching is observed.
Pests
Spider mites and occasionally
mealybugs are the pests to watch for with Chicken Gizzard.
Disease
Iresine Chicken Gizzard Red is not prone to many diseases, but
don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with
root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis and root rot are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label's instructions.
Planting Iresine Chicken Gizzard Red Liners
- We recommend planting 4-5 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. Plant them directly in the middle of your pot.
- Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Iresine Chicken Gizzard Red Quick Reference Guide
| 4" crop time | 6 Weeks |
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| 10" crop time | 8-10 weeks |
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| Habit | Upright |
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| Height | 12-15 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun/Partial Sha |
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| Minimum Temp | 60 |
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| Perennial Zone | Zones 10-11 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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