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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Fabaceae, Hybrids, Western North America
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun - partial shade
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| Garden Height: | |
100 cm
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39,37 inch
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| Natural flowertime: | |
June - August
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 3-4 years
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| Sell Period: | |
April-July
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
48 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
December-May for green pots; July-August for flowering in pots the following year; March-June for cut flower production outdoors
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| Sowing Method: | |
1 seed per plug, tap root formation, sowing directly into final pot/field is recommended
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| Germination: | |
5-12 days at 18-24 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.0-5.8. Soak seeds in hot water for 24 h before sowing. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide against Colletotrichum. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. The plant roots are very sensitive to wetness.
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| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 16-18 °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 150 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1-3 plant into a container (5-10 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 50-60 x 50-80 cm space. Strain wires alongside the plants for the spikes.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 10-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. bark, sand, perlite), 1-2 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 2-4 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.0-5.8. Field: loamy, sandy soils with good drainage and are deficient in lime. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer. Do not improve the soil with peat. Keep the soil open. The plants prefer sandy soils that are deficient in lime and hence the plant shelf-life is longer.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Long day plants. The long day (14 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light is required.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 13-16 °C during daytime and at 10-13 °C during night or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 1-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover or mulch cower (e. g. straw) needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 9-10 weeks at 15-18 °C and at long day condition. Cold temperatures at
10-13 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is required.
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| Fertilization: | |
High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 4 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 100-150 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 apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.
Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. Don't fertilize after mid September.
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| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 20 % of the flowers per spikes are just open and the stems are not soft. Remove the bottom leaves. Vase life: 10-15 days. Cold storage is not recommended.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
L. polyphyllus are poisonous. The roots are sensitive to wet substrates. Avoid over watering and take care of a good drainage outdoors. For cultivation in containers as well as in field allow for the soils to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Control and fight the weed mechanically in time. Keep the soil open.
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