Bellis Habanera

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Biennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:15 cm,5,91 inch

Flower Size:6 cm,2,36 inch

Natural flowertime:March - April

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5 weeks; Green pots: 12-16 weeks; Flowering pots: 6-7 months, with vernalization

Sell Period:August-October, mainly March-April

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:4854 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I and II: 14-21 days at 18 °C; Stage III and IV: 7-14 days at 15 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.2. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil wet (relative humidity: 100 %). Avoid direct sunlight by shading seed after sowing. In seed-boxes sow not too dense (1 g/m2).

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. 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 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pot (7-9 cm) or packs. For pot plant production without heating transplant not later than early October, because the roots grow deep into pot before the frost is coming. Avoid the plant roots grow into soil underground.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. compost), 1 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plants. For the growth and flowering Bellis need high light levels. Avoid direct sunlight by shading at frost.

Temperature:Grow at 10-12 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. At mid December the plants start to grow for 5-7 weeks at 10-12 °C. Grow as cool as possible but avoid freezing temperatures for a good plant quality. Temperatures above 12 °C will result in big foliage growth, thin flower stems and missing flowering initiation. Temperatures below 6 °C delay the buds development. At warm outdoors temperatures open airing in time.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. The plants take up the minerals at 5 °C. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after early October. In spring fertilize 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates.

Cultural Hints:Avoid that the plant roots grow into the soil underground and cultivate as cool as possible for compact plant development. High relative humidity in winter and wet foliage cause for Botrytis. Cultivate slightly moist but not wet