Astilbe
             
                        arendsii
             
                        Showstar®
Astilbe arendsii

Showstar®

  • Dense, upright plumes
  • Mixture includes many clear colors
  • Perfect for pot production
  • BeGreen
Crop Time
Spring: 24 - 28 weeks
Height ∅
14 ″ / 35 cm
Exposure
Sun - Shade
Seed Form
BeGreen Pelleting
Heat Zone
8-2
Hardiness Zone
4-8
Best Uses
Bedding, Cutflower, Landscape

Culture guide

Usage

Plants for the border, pot and container plants, cut flowers

Sow time

February-June for green pots June-July for flowering in pots the following year

Sowing method

3-5 seeds per plug

Germination

14-21 days at 72-77 °F (22-25 °C), cover seed lightly and keep very moist.

Growing on

Transplant plugs 10-14 weeks after sowing

Media

Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 10-20 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres),1-1.5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 3-4 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0. Field: humus soils with good drainage and good nutrition levels. Standard fertilization: 80 g/m² slow release fertilizer. Sand soils are not suitable.

Temperature

Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. After development of the roots decrease the temperature to 12-15 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed and plants need to be protected against direct sunlight. For the vernalisation 12 weeks at temperature of 5 °C are required. At mid December the plants start to grow for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization

High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 3 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 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balance fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 60-80 g/m² fertilizer per year, applied in several portions. N min soil value: approximately 90 g N/m².


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.

Colors of the series