ASTER ALPINUS, ALPINE DAISY

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, High mountains of western Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm11,81 inch

Flower Size:5 cm1,97 inch

Natural flowertime:May - June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 28 weeks (limited flowering); Flowering pots: 7-8 months, with vernalization (full flowering)

Sell Period:April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:769 K/g

Sowing Time:December-March for flowering June onwards; March-June for flowering in pots the following year. A vernalization for full flowering is recommended.

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:14-20 days at 18-21 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. 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 15-18 °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:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3-4 cm) and 4 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-10 cm). Two time transplantation will support the young plant quality. For a full flowering annual transplant several plants into 1 pot.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres), 0-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. For flowering 5-6 weeks long days are required. Start in spring with assimilation light (14-16 h, 35-80 klx) for good plant quality. Night interruption is possible.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. At mid December the plants start to grow for 5-7 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 7-12 °C will increase the cultivation time.

Fertilization:Low - moderate 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 80-100 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Do not cultivate the plants too wet or too dry. Check the plants for Powdery Mildew. Cut the plants for a better branching and good plant quality (this will increase the cultivation time).