|
TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
 |
| Life Cycle: | |
Annual
|
|
| Sitelocation: | |
Partial shade
|
|
| Garden Height: | |
12 cm
|
|
| | |
4,72 inch
|
|
| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 4-5 weeks; flowering pots: 9-11 weeks
|
|
| Seed Form: | |
Raw seed, Multipellets
|
|
| Seed Count: | |
0 K/g
|
|
| Sowing Method: | |
7-10 seeds or 1 multipellet per plug (multi-seed pellets produce an average of 5-7 seedlings per pellet)
|
|
| Germination: | |
Stage I: 4-7 days at 21-24 °C (70-75 °F), in media with very low soluble salt levels and
pH 5.5-6.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. If pellets are used, ensure that the pellets are well-watered to allow them to dissolve. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Long day (12-14 h) during germination decreases the cultivation time and flowering will be earlier. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.
|
|
| 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. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV temperature can be reduced to 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) and fertilization levels can be increased up to 100-200 ppm.
|
|
| Growing On: | |
4-5 weeks after sowing, transplant into packs or pot 6-10 cm (2,5-4'').
|
|
| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH 5.2 -5.8.
|
|
| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Lobelias flower more freely when daylength is longer than 12 hours. Lighting plants in Winter when daylength is less than 12 hours speeds flowering. Keep light level high. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is recommended. In early summer protect the plants by shading against high light intensity and too high temperatures, so that the plants can stay compact and the shoots do not stretch and don't fall apart. If cultivated at short days, lower temperatures will be required for a good plant quality.
|
|
| Temperature: | |
Grow at night temperatures of 12-15 °C (54-59 °F) and day 17 -20 °C
(63-68 °F). After development of the roots temperature can be further decreased. Before selling harden the plants by decreasing the temperature to 6-8 °C (43-46 °F). Lobelia erinus 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 and high nitrogen levels. Wetness and cold medium temperatures are a cause for iron deficiency. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly. Reduce fertilizer rate at the end of the crop to keep the plants compact.
|
|
| Cultural Hints: | |
After transplanting treat pots with a fungicide against Rhizoctonia and Phytium. Cultivate rather dry and at fairly low temperatures to keep the plants compact.
|
|
