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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Perennial / first year flowering
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Carryophyllaceae, Mountains of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees)
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun
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| Garden Height: | |
15 cm
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5,91 inch
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| Natural flowertime: | |
June - September
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-14 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowerings pots: 10-12 months, including wintering
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| Sell Period: | |
July-October
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Seed Count: | |
1499 K/g
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| Sowing Time: | |
February-March for flowering in pots from May onwards, June-August for flowering in pots the following year
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| Sowing Method: | |
3-5 seeds per plug
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| Germination: | |
5-10 days at 21-26 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-7.0. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Do not cover seed. 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, the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 18-20 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pack or pot (6-10 cm).
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. bark, sand, perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-7.0.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Long day plant. The long day (14 h) supports the flower initiation. In winter additional assimilation light is recommended for cut flower production.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 10-18 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 7-8 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 7-12 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is not required.
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| Fertilization: | |
Low fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 60-80 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 60-80 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. 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. The roots are very sensitive to high salt levels in substrate. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations. It is advisable to fertilize several times weekly with low concentrations.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates and soils. Short time wetness can cause rotting of roots and poor plant quality. Take care of a good drainage outdoors, but avoid that the soils dry out. A quick flowering under foil outdoors at ambient condition is possible.
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