Again, Late Easter Easter 2001 is a late one again: April 15. This is a challenge to growers because they have to manage the crop in such a way that plants do not bloom too early. Another problem that growers face with a late Easter is that the crop takes up space that otherwise should be occupied by other Spring crops. By now you should have received the bulbs (October 11) and on November 1st you should have started the cooling treatment (42 F during 6 weeks). On December 13, plants must be placed in the greenhouse (65 - 67 F). By January 28, flower initiation must be completed. Start leaf count and negative DIF. By March 18, you should see flower buds and by April 6-13 plants should be ready to ship. Lower leaf loss may be caused by factors such as: low light levels, root rots, high salt levels. Space plants as they grow and apply preventative fungicide drenches. Watering is tricky because if you overwater, Pythium and Phytophthora will be favored and, hence, loss of lower leaves. If you grow them dry, be sure they do not suffer water stress. If preventing loss of lower leaves is your objective, you should then apply Promalin to those leaves. According to research at Michigan State and Cornell Universities, two applications of Promalin should be done: one week before visible flower bud and another application one week after visible flower bud. Important: apply 50 ppm to the lower leaves only.