Alyssum Montanum

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Brassicaceae, Europe, Africa, Asia Minor

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:30 cm.11,81 inch

Natural flowertime:April - May

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4 weeks; Green pots: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 7-10 months, with vernalization

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:500 K/g

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

Germination:10-14 days at 18-20 °C in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-6.5. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. 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 16-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,50 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 80-100 ppm.

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pack or pot (7-13 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plants. Start in spring with supplemental lighting when the temperature rises above 15 °C for good plant quality.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. For the vernalization 8-10 weeks are needed. In spring the plants start to grow (from week 51 possible) for 8-10 weeks at 10-15 °C or for 5-6 weeks at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization:Low fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 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.