Temperature is the main factor used by growers to speed up or slow down flower development as the crop approaches finish. Flower stalk begins to elongate. Flower stalk begins to bend. Flower stalk curves over to protect primary bud. Flower stalk completely curved.
Inflorescence pokes through leaf canopy, flower starts to straighten.
Flower stalk straightens out. Primary flower opens. Five flowers open per plant. If the crop is not on schedule, temperatures may be raised to speed flowering or lowered to delay flowering by identifying the stage of flower development and using the temperatures in Table 1. Where possible, the temperature can be reduced a few degrees in the last week of a crop to enhance flower color and size.