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N3350 - HELLEBORUS NIGER, CHRISTMAS ROSE
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'Helleborus niger'
White or red tinged.
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Ranunculaceae, Mid and East Europe, East Asia
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| Sitelocation: | |
Partial shade - shade
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| Garden Height: | |
35 cm
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13,78 inch
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| Natural flowertime: | |
December - March
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 21 weeks; Green pots: 9-10 months; Flowering pots: 24-36 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 5-7 years
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| Sell Period: | |
October-December
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
111 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
November-March for green pots, June-July for flowering in pots the following year
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| Sowing Method: | |
5-6 seeds per plug
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| Germination: | |
6-7 weeks at 18-22 °C; 6-8 weeks at 0-5 °C;
1 week at 5-12 °C; Following at 10-15 °C
in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-7.0. Cold germinator. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. For the chilling period try to cool the seed in the cold store (6-8 weeks) or during winter outdoors. The germination can take one year. Changing temperatures support the germination.
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| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 5 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3x3 cm) and 12 weeks later transplant into a pack or pot (8-10 cm) After transplanting keep the tray, because it is possible that more seeds germinate at a later time. Avoid root injury and transplant the plant not too deep. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 30x40 cm space or transplant 3-5 plants into a container (25-40 l). For cut flower production cultivate in container in order to simplify culture control because of the container's mobility.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-50 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, sand, perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.0. Field: humus, sandy loamy soils with good drainage.
Standard fertilization: 50-60 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Day length neutral plant. Protect the plants by shading against sunlight in summer and select a partial shade location outdoors for the plants. For flowering Helleborus needs low light level. Cut flower production: A darkening with black fleece cover within the first 14 days of the forcing will improve the flower colors, increase the flower size and increase the stem length. But the risk of Botrytis infection higher as well.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 10-13 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 0-3 °C or outdoors. In spring start to grow at 10-15 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation for 3-5 weeks at 3-5 °C is required. Flowering in November-December: cool Helleborus from End September onwards for 3-6 weeks at 0- 5 °C in cold store and from November onwards increase the temperature to 6-12 °C. 2-4 weeks after the chilling period the flowers can be harvested. For forcing to certain dates (e.g. Christmas) the temperature can be increased to 15-18 °C to a short term, but the stems become weakly growing and the flowers are smaller. Prefer cold temperatures, because cold temperatures promote a better flower quality. The buds and the flowers tolerate frost.
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| Fertilization: | |
Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 50-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using alternating a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and calcium nitrate fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after early September. For flowering from November-December fertilize from October onwards 100-150 ppm nitrogen, use alternating a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and calcium nitrate fertilizer. After harvest in December the fertilizer concentration should be decreased again to 50-100 ppm nitrogen. 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. Very high nitrogen levels in substrate cause flower stems stretching and soft flower stems. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times weekly with low concentrations. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-60 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.
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| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 1-2 stamens are open. Cut the stems bottom crosswise. Vase life: 8-12 days. Cold storage is possible. During the first year harvest 6-8 stems per plant, in second year harvest 30-35 stems and from the third year onwards 40-60 stems per plant.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
Warning: All Helleborus plant parts are very poisonous. Helleborus form a tub root. For the first flowering plants must have developed 7-9 leaf pairs. The flower initiation take place after second leaf growth in September. Helleborus need a relative high water amount during growth period, therefore keep a constant water supply, but the soil or substrate should not be too wet. Avoid high relative humidity in greenhouse during the flowering.
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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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