|
|
|
S0660 - MOLUCELLA LAEVIS, BELLS OF IRELAND
|
|
'Bells of Ireland'
Spikes with greenish cup od bell-shaped flowers, for fresh and dried flower bouquets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
|
| Life Cycle: | |
Annual
|
|
| Familiy, Origin: | |
Lamiaceae, West Asia
|
|
| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun - partial shade
|
|
| Garden Height: | |
70 cm
|
|
| | |
27,56 inch
|
|
| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 20-24 weeks; Cut flower production: 20-24 weeks
|
|
| Sell Period: | |
April-July
|
|
| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
|
|
| Seed Count: | |
149 K/g
|
|
| Sowing Time: | |
Indoor forcing: sowing in intervals is possible all season; Outdoor forcing: February-April for cut flower production, in intervals
|
|
| Sowing Method: | |
3-5 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into in final pots/field
|
|
| Germination: | |
21 days at 3 °C, 14 days at 12-18 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-7.0. 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 (3 weeks) or during winter outdoors. Field: In field the sowing need to be covered by fleece or foil to avoid dry out. Sow in field thinly.
|
|
| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, 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 up to 150-200 ppm.
|
|
| Growing On: | |
3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-9 cm), 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm) or into a container (3 l). Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 25x30 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright.
|
|
| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. sand), 1,5-2 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-7.0.
Field: humus loamy sandy to sandy soils, with a good drainage. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer.
|
|
| Temperature: | |
Grow at 10-15 °C or outdoors. Moluccella does not tolerate frost.
|
|
| Fertilization: | |
Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium levels.
Field: If necessary (according to soil analysis) fertilize additionally with
80-100 ppm nitrogen weekly. Use a potassium balanced fertilizer.
|
|
| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the first white flowers in the greenish bells shape are open. Remove the bottom leaves. Transport the stems vertically, because the stems bend easily. Vase life: 12-18 days. Cold storage is possible. For dried flower production stems can be harvested, when the flowers are fully open. Dry the flowers without foliage. The coloring of the flowers can be made yellow by impregnation with sulphur.
|
|
| Cultural Hints: | |
Light and airy cultivation. Take care of sufficient distance between the plants. Do not cultivate the plants too wet or too dry and avoid wet foliage and wet flowers during the night. For cut flower production a sunny location is required and the plants need to be protected against wind.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
