Arenaria
             
                        montana
Arenaria montana
  • Uniform mounds of large-sized white flowers
  • Robust, compact plants
  • Perfect for bedding and rock gardens
Crop Time
Spring: 28 - 32 weeks
Height ∅
6 ″ / 15 cm
Exposure
Sun
Seed Form
Roh
Heat Zone
9-6
Hardiness Zone
4-8
Best Uses
Beet und Balkon, Steingarten

Culture guide

Usage

Matforming plants for the rock garden, extensive roof planting

Sow time

Green pots: January-March; Flowering pots: June-August

Sowing method

2-3 seeds per plug, can be multiple sown directly into pots or packs

Germination

9-14 days at temperatures of 65-68 °F (18-20 °C). Finish plugs at 62-65 °F (18-21 °C).

Growing on

Optimum growth at 60-65 °F (15-18 °C). Induce flowering with 8 weeks of temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C) and long days. Plants can be forced in 6-8 weeks at 60-65 °F (15-18 °C) for spring flowering.

Media

Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-10 % sand, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark), 1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.0.

Temperature

Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 10-11 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 7-12 °C will increase cultivation time.

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 (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. 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.


Stage I Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.

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.