Asparagus Officinalis Pseudoscaber Lace Veil

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Liliaceae, South Africa, Mid and South Europe to West Siberia

Sitelocation:Partial shade - shade

Garden Height:100 cm,39,37 inch

Natural flowertime:June - July

Crop Time:Plug crop: 10-12 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 months; Cut for ornamental leaf production: 4-5 years

Sell Period:pot plant: all year, field: April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:43 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:25-30 days at 22-25 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 48 h before sowing. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. The seeds have a very short life cycle.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 20-22° C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start ferilization at 75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be inreased to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:10-12 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pot (7-8 cm) and 8-9 months later transplant into a bigger pot (11-12 cm) or hanging basket (25-30 cm). Plant cut flowers in 60 x 60 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-10 % perlite, 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. Field: well-drained, moderate nutrition supply, humus, loamy soils. If necessary improve the soil with perlite, swell clay or other mineral parts. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Temperature:Grow at 20-22 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 10-15 °C. In winter stop ornamental leaf production at 10-15 °C.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. 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. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly. The CO2 fertilization (800 vpm) stimulates the growth in winter and in spring.

Cut Flowers:Cut stems can be harvested, when the stems have the necessary length. Avoid a total cut of the plants. Vase life: 21 days. Cold storage at 5 °C for 4-5 days is possible. For cold storage the foliage must be wet (otherwise they dry out).