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L7480 - ECHINACEA PURPUREA, PURPLE CONEFLOWER
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Asteraceae, North America
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full Sun
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| Garden Height: | |
120 cm
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47,24 inch
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| Natural flowertime: | |
August - September
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 12-16 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalization and wintering; Cut flower production: 3-4 years
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| Sell Period: | |
July till November
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
222 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
January-June for flowering in pot from July onwards, limited flowering without vernalization, during with vernalization full flowering in next year
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| Sowing Method: | |
3-5 seeds per plug
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| Germination: | |
Stage I and II: 20-30 days at 20 °C; Stage III and IV: 16 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-6.5. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.
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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 0,75 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 150-200 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
6-8 weeks after germination transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-10 cm) for green pot production. For perennial production transplant 2 plants into a bigger pot (15-20 cm) or a container (3-5 l). Optimal transplantation time: when 2nd pair of true leaves appears. For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage roots growth, thus improving plant quality. Plant cut flowers in 30-35 cm x 30-35 cm space.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres),1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 1-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-6.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² slow release fertilizer.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Long day plants. For the flower initiation and development long day (14-16 h) and high light intensity for 7-8 weeks are required. Night interruption is possible. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is required an early forcing and warm cultivation temperatures.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. At mid December the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 10-15 °C will increase the cultivation time. For wintering the plants should have a developed a minimum 4-5 leaves.
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| Fertilization: | |
High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 3 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 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Additional calcium fertilization (e. g. with calcium nitrate) supports the flower in first year. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. N min soil value: approximately 130 g N/m².
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| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flowers are just open and the outer flower leaves stand tightly. Vase life: 7-8 days. Cold storage is not recommended. Remove faded stems. Flower centre can be used in dried arrangements.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
Remove the plant tops for a better branching and good plant quality, but this will increase the cultivation time.
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* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
| Stage I: | Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons. |
| Stage II: | Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair. |
| Stage III: | Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable. |
| Stage IV: | All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days. |
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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