Calceolaria Cinderella

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Scrophulariaceae, South America

Sitelocation:Partial shade

Garden Height:23 cm,9,06 inch

Flower Size:3 cm,1,18 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Flowering Pots: 18-22 weeks

Sell Period:December-April

Seed Form:Pelleted Seed

Seed Count:62500 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:14-16 days at 18-22 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seed. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seed after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:2-3 weeks after the sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3-4 cm) and 4 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-12 cm). Two time transplantation will support the young plant quality. Transplant the plant not too deep in substrate. Avoid root damage.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1,5-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, Fe-Chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. The plant height can be controlled by cultivating in short day after transplanting into pot firstly. 6 weeks short days for little and 10 weeks for big plants. Later cultivate in long day (18 h) with day extension. A night interruption is less effective, but will however, improve uniformity of the flowers. Acceleration of flowering by supplemental lighting (100-200 lx/m2) is possible. In summer at high light intensity and full flowering use shading. The production of pot plants without supplemental lighting and with short day only is also possible.

Temperature:Grow at 14-18 °C. C. herbeohybrida does not need a chilling period for flower initiation. Temperatures above 25 °C cause plant damages.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply Fe-Chelate for 1-2 times. After Fe-Chelate fertilization rinse the leafs with water. Avoid salt levels in substrate above 2 g/l.