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J7900 - CUPHEA IGNEA, MEXICAN CIGAR FLOWER
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'Cuphea ignea'
long-lived garnet red and black flowers, ideal for bedding and pots
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Lythraceae, Mexico
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| Sitelocation: | |
Partial shade - shade
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| Garden Height: | |
30 cm
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11,81 inch
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| Natural flowertime: | |
May - September
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 8-9 weeks; Flowering pots (little): 12-14 weeks, annual cultivation is possible;
Hanging basket: 16-18 weeks
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| Sell Period: | |
from May
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
769 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
Flowering pot plants: February-April; Hanging basket: January-March
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| Sowing Method: | |
2-3 seeds per plug
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| Germination: | |
7-14 days at 18-20 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. In winter additional assimilation light is required.
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| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 80-100 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
Flowering pot: 4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (7-9 cm).
Hanging basket and big pots: 4-5 weeks after germination transplant 2-3 plants per plug tray (4x4 cm) and 4 weeks later transplant hanging basket (20-25 cm) or bigger pot (10-12 cm). Two time transplantation for big pots production support the young plant quality.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e. g. coconut fibres, perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8. For hanging basket production the application of a slow fertilizer is recommended.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 18-20 °C. After development of the roots decrease the temperature to 16 °C. Cuphea does tolerate temperatures at 10-14 °C, but cold temperatures will increase cultivation time. For selling it is recommended to harden the plants slowly. Cuphea does not tolerate frost. Wintering indoors, in conservatory or cold greenhouse is possible.
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| Fertilization: | |
Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Wetness and cold temperatures in substrate cause for iron deficiency. 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.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
Avoid overwatering and drought stress. Leaf drop can occur due to drought stress.
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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.
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