Aquilegia Mini-Star

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Ranunculaceae, Asia

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:15 cm,5,91 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7-8 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 9-10 months with vernalization

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:746 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:20-35 days at 22-25 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.2. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Temperatures below 20 °C will increase the germination time.

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 130-150 ppm.

Growing On:5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray 3-4 cm and 5-6 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot 7-11 cm. Two time transplantation support the young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark), 1-1,5 kg /m3, complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. Keep light levels high. Flowerings pot production in winter and spring with additional assimilation light will improve the plant quality. Forcing possible from mid January at 12 °C, 16 h long day and assimilation light (30-40 klx).

Temperature:Grow at 14-16 °C. After the roots are developed decrease the temperature to 8-10 °C. The temperature change will support the plant quality. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow for 6-7 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 10-12 °C will increase the cultivation time. Avoid high temperatures combined with low light levels. A. flabellata needs for vernalization a chilling period (outdoors or refrigerator) of at least 4 weeks at 0-5 °C. The foliage of the plants has to be well developed for the chilling period.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130 -150 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 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balance fertilizer.

Cultural Hints:Aquilegia plant parts are poisonous. Light and cold cultivation similar to a primose culture. Do not cultivate the plants too wet or too dry. Sell A. flabellata with buds. Flowerdrop during transport increase with open flowers.