Culture guide

Usage

Plant for bedding, pot and container plant for patio, beautiful plants that attract bees, cut flower production

Sow time

January-March for flowering in pots from June onwards; August-October for flowering in pots the following year

Sowing method

1-3 seeds per plug

Germination

Germinates in 14-20 days at 65-77 °F (18-25 °C). Light is required for germination.

Growing on

Transplant plugs after 7 weeks. Grow on at 60-65 °F; (15-18 °C) in a well-drained, alkaline medium. Vernalization is not required for flower initiation.

Media

Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e. g. bark, wood fibres, sand), 1-2 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer.

Temperature

Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C and long day. Cold temperatures of 8-10 °C will increase the cultivation time by 3-4 weeks. If cultivated at low light levels, the temperature should be cool for good stem quality. A chilling period (vernalization) is not required.

Fertilization

Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that the shoots are stretched and the plants fall apart. Don’t fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K₂O-ratio: 1:1,5). The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.