Aconitum Napellus Newry Blue

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Ranunculaceae, Carpathian mountains, Alpine

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade - shade

Garden Height:90 cm,35,43 inch

Natural flowertime:July - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 10-12 weeks; Green pots: 20 weeks; Flowering pots: 17-19 months with vernalization; Cut flower production: 3-5 years

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:400 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:1-2 weeks at 18-22 °C; 4-5 weeks at 0-5 °C 1 week at 5-10 °C; following at 12-15 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-7.0. Cold germinator. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. For the chilling period try cooling the seed in the cold store (4-6 weeks) or during winter outdoor.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. 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 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:12-14 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot (10-15 cm) or 3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant cut flowers in 40x30 cm space and use nets.

Media:Use a well-drained, perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, compost), 1-1,5 kg /m3, complete balanced fertilizer. 3-5 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.0. Field: good nutrition supply, humus, loamy soil. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light levels high. In winter and spring assimilation light is effective.

Temperature:Grow at 10-13 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece needed. In plastic tunnels flowering speeds by 3-4 weeks. From January onwards cut flower production starts at 8-10 °C and from February at 10-12 °C.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100 -150 ppm nitrogen (at 5 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 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. After 4-5 weeks apply magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) for 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: if necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m2 fertilizer per year, applied in several portions. Reduce fertilization before cutting the flowers and give a good fertilization after the harvest in order to support the bulb production for next year.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when first 3-4 flowers are open. Remove the bottom leafs and put the stems in water immediately. Vase life: 12-15 days. Cold storage is possible for 3-5 days in upright position. Do not cut at soil level but keep 20-30 cm of the stem. From the second year on 5-7 stems per plant and from third year on 10-12 stems per plant can be harvested.