Ageratum Florists Blue

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Southern America, Middle America

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:60 cm 23,62 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8-9 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-16 weeks; Cut flower production: 16-20 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:8000 K/g

Sowing Time:Mid December-March

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 2-4 days at 24-25 °C; Stage II: 5-7 days at 22-24 °C; Stage III-IV: 18-20 °C in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.0-5.8. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

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:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pack or pot (8-9 cm). Plant cut flowers in 20-25 x 20-25 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.0-5.8.

Photoperiod / Light:Optional long day plant. Keep light levels high. Start the long day (14-16 h) after the 2rd -3rd pair of true leaves appears to avoid the plants being too small. Night interruption for 2-3 h is possible. Cut flower production in winter and spring only with additional assimilation light. Short day treatments increase stem length for cut flower production.

Temperature:Grow at 16-20 °C. Temperatures below 16 °C delay flowering and below 10 °C cause chlorosis. Ageratum does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100 -150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Avoid pH above 6.0, as high pH causes iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron, if chlorosis becomes a problem. To prevent magnesium deficiency apply magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 50-75 % of the flowers are open. The flowers are sensitive to ethylene gas. Vase life: 10-12 days. Cold storage is possible.

Cultural Hints:Drought stress causes leaf burn. Remove dead flowers.