|
|
|
B5120 - ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA, MILKWEED, BUTTERFLY WEED, SILKWEED
|
|
'Asclepias tuberosa'
orange-flowered umbels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
|
| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
|
|
| Familiy, Origin: | |
Asclepiadaceae, North America
|
|
| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun
|
|
| Garden Height: | |
60 cm
|
|
| | |
23,62 inch
|
|
| Natural flowertime: | |
June - September
|
|
| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 11-13 weeks; Flowering pots: 6 months, annual cultivation is possible; Cut flower production: 2-3 years
|
|
| Sell Period: | |
April-October
|
|
| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
|
|
| Seed Count: | |
200 K/g
|
|
| Sowing Time: | |
Indoor: January-February for flowering June-August, June-July for flowering in pots the following year (February-May); Outdoors: January-February for flowering July
|
|
| Sowing Method: | |
1-2 seeds per plug
|
|
| Germination: | |
14-20 days at 21-24 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-7.0. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.
|
|
| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but let the plug not dry out and reduce the temperature to 18-20 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 100 ppm.
|
|
| Growing On: | |
4-6 weeks after the sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm) or into ontainer (3-5 l). For flowering pot cultivation big pots are recommended, because the plant quality is better. Plant cut flowers in 40 x 40 cm space.
|
|
| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-10 % sand, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, coconut fibre), 1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-7.0. Field: loamy, sandy soils with well drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m² slow release fertilizer.
|
|
| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Long day plants (14 h). Asclepias needs high light levels. Short days inhibit the vegetative growth (combined with temperatures of 15 °C). Start with supplemental lighting in early spring.
|
|
| Temperature: | |
Grow at 15-18 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. Asclepias does not tolerate very low frost temperatures. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C. At temperatures below 10 °C growth will stop.
|
|
| Fertilization: | |
Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 80-100 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: if necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m² fertilizer in several portions yearly.
|
|
| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 75 % of the flowers are open. Remove the bottom leafs and put the stems in water immediately. Vase life: 10-12 days. Cold storage is possible, but the foliage and flowers must be dry. After 4-5 weeks cut the flowers secondly.
|
|
| Cultural Hints: | |
Asclepias develop bulbs and all plant parts are poisonous. The milk can cause allergic reaction of skin. Dry, light and airy cultivation. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates or soils. The plants need to be protected against low frost.
|
|
Hint
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.
|
|
|
