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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Lamiaceae, North America
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun
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| Garden Height: | |
75 cm
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29,53 inch
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| Natural flowertime: | |
June - September
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6-7 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-October
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
429 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
January-March for Green pots; December-February for flowering in pots from May onwards; August-September for flowering in pots the following year
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| Sowing Method: | |
1-3 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot
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| Germination: | |
7-14 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. 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 soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 15-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 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 plant into a pot (10-11 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (12-15 cm) or container (3-10 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. For full flowering with an annual production transplant several plants into a pot. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 40x40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright. Protect the plants against night frost.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1-3 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0. Field: humus sandy soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Long day plants. The long day (12-16 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is required.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. For wintering the roots development should be very good. In spring the plants start to grow for 10-15 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 10-13 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is recommended to uniformity and the quantity of the flowering. Cultivation at warm temperatures requires high light levels. Physostegia can also be brought to flower earlier in poly-tunnel.
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| Fertilization: | |
High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 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 130-150 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. Take care of a good micro nutrition supply. N min soil value: approximately 120 g/m².
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| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the first flowers of the spikes are well developed and if the stems are not soft. Vase life: 15-20 days. Cold storage is possible.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
Physostegia has rhizomatous roots. Take care of a constant water and nutrition supply, because water deficiency can be a cause for short flower stems. Physostegia needs a warm and sunny location. Protect outdoors against wind.
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