Vigorous, mid-season hybrid broccoli, adaptable for year-round production.

• Medium to large frame with good disease resistance
• Excellent quality head with few sideshoots
• Very high marketable yield potential
• Firm, dome-shaped heads with short to medium florets

Type:

A hybrid for the fresh and processing markets. STAR 2204 shows very good adaptability during summer and winter seasons.

Maturity:

Approximately 60 - 70 days from transplant to maturity in summer. Maturity will vary by as much as 10 - 20 days between mid summer to mid winter plantings (in cold areas). Maturity is very uniform with a high first cut percentage.

Plant Characteristics:

A medium to large framed plant with large leaves. STAR 2204 has a vigorous growth habit providing good head protection. A plant population of 32,000 - 35,000 plants per hectare is recommended for the loose head market.

Head Characteristics:

STAR 2204 has firm, compact, dome-shaped heads with fine beads. Average head mass can vary from 350 - 450g in summer and 500 - 600g in winter. Spear length can vary from medium/short to medium. STAR 2204 has a high first cut percentage.

Yield Potential:

Excellent yields can be achieved with this variety. Actual yield will vary according to plant population and growing conditions. A high first cut will, however, ensure that STAR 2204 out yields most varieties most of the time. Yields of 8 - 12 tons per hectare are possible.

Features & Benefits:

Good heat and cold tolerance for year-round production. Excellent quality head with very few side shoots. Vigorous growth habit that helps the plant to establish quickly. High yield potential with a high first cut percentage.

Fertilization Guidelines:

The following is a guide to achieving optimal yields from this hybrid. Grower conditions vary and a soil analysis is recommended prior to planting.
N: 200 - 240 kg/ha. 60 - 80 kg/ha incorporated preplant. Top dress the balance as follows: 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after transplant. P: Plant uptake is 50 - 60 kg/ha per season. Bring soil levels to 40 mg/kg and then incorporate
50 - 60 kg/ha preplant. K: The plant uses 250 kg potassium (K) per hectare per season. Bring soil levels to 130 mg/kg, then incorporate 125 kg/ha preplant and 125 kg/ha 28 days after transplant. Boron (B) and Molybdenum (Mo) - spray with 1 kg Solubor and 125 g Sodium Molybdate, plus a wetting agent in 500 liters water per hectare 14 and 28 days after transplant.