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N9190 - KALANCHOE BLOSSFELDIANA, KALANCHOE
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'Tetra Vulkan'
Extra large orange scarlet flowers.
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Crassulaceae, Madagascar
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun - partial shade
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| Garden Height: | |
15 cm
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5,91 inch
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6 weeks; Flowering pots 6-10 months, depending on pot size
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| Sell Period: | |
February-March, controlled culture all year
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
102041 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
March-April for flowering in pots follow years from January onwards, Sowing is possible all-season
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| Sowing Method: | |
1 seed per plug, sowing in intervals
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| Germination: | |
10-12 days at 20-25 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. In winter supplemental light is recommended. The day length could be 14-16 h. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.
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| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
5-8 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3x3 cm) and 6-8 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (6-9 cm) or 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-14 cm). Two time transplantation support the young plant quality and if necessary for bigger pots transplant three times.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. perlite, coconut fibres), 1-2 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.5.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Short day plant. For the flower initiation short days (8-9 h) and for the vegetative growth long day (minimum: 13 h and optimal: 16-18 h) are required. Cultivate the plants at March-early September in long day (12-14 h, 1000-4000 lx), firstly. Night interruption is possible. When the plants have 3rd true leaf pair (approximately 4-6 weeks after last transplantation), start the short days for flowering. For the flowering a minimum of 9-12 weeks short day of 8-9 h and at 18-20 °C are required. For darkening use 100 % shade cloth. The plant height at the begin the short day will fix the plant height for selling, because the plants don't grow in short day. Keep light intensity high in short day in order to develop a good flower initiation and flowering. Protect the plant in summer against high sunlight, because the foliage can get sunburned. High light intensity can be a cause for discolour of flowers and the leaves get a red color. In winter Kalanchoe needs additional assimilation light (2000-3000 lx) in short day and long day. Night interruption (2-4 h) is possible for long day in winter. Long days above 18 h promote excessive stretching of the flower stems.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 20-25 °C during daytime and 18-20 °C during night, because these temperatures are ideal for the vegetative growth in summer. In winter the temperatures can be decreased to 16-20 °C. At temperatures below 16 °C the vegetative growth is inhibited. For the flower initiation temperatures of
18-20 °C are needed. The temperatures for a good flower development can be increased in summer to 20-25 °C and in winter to 20 °C. At temperatures below 15 °C and above 28 °C the flower initiation and flower development become inhibit. Short before selling harden the plants at 15 °C for a better flower coloring. Decrease the temperature slowly. Warm temperatures combined with low light levels are a cause for discolored flowers.
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| Fertilization: | |
Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because the foliage can grow very big and weaved. In short days change the fertilizer and use a potassium balanced fertilizer with 100-200 ppm nitrogen (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of Iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Avoid salt levels in substrate above 1,5 g/l. The CO2 fertilization (700-900 vpm) stimulates the growth in winter and early spring especially after the germination.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
Pinching of the top of the plants and a sufficient distance between the pots improve decisively the branching and the plant quality. Avoid cool temperature, high relative humidity and wet substrate, this is can be a cause for corky lesions and scabs on the stems and leaves. Avoid overhead irrigation.
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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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