Achillea Millefolium

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:60 cm,23,62 inch

Natural flowertime:May - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Green pots: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots:14-18 weeks; Cut flower production: 3-4 years

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:5000 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, can be multiple sown directly into pots or packs

Germination:10-15 days at 18-21 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

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 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100-130 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pack or pot (10-15 cm). Plant cut flowers in 30-40 x 30-40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, compost), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 2-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Flowering: 6-8 weeks long day (14-16 h). Cut flower production in winter and spring only with additional assimilation light.

Temperature:Grow at 13-15 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100 -130 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 100-130 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.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 75 % of the flowers are open. Vase life: 15-20 days. Cold storage is possible. During season up to 20-50 stems per plant can be harvested. For the dried flower production use only 100 % open flowers and remove the bottom leafs. To increase flower production, pinch the first flower stalk in first year.

Cultural Hints:The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates. In the cut flower production avoid seed set. Remove dead flowers.