Celosia Gloria

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Amaranthaceae, tropics from Africa and South America

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height: 20 cm, 7,87 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-5 weeks Flowering pots: 11-12 weeks

Sell Period:up to May

Seed Form:Coated Seed

Seed Count:1667 K/g

Sowing Time:January-June

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug, sowing directly into final pots is recommended.

Germination:Stage I and II: 7-14 days at 22-25 °C; Stage III: 18-20 °C; Stage IV: 17-18 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

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 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:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot (9-12 cm).

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

Temperature:Grow at 18-20 °C. At the end of the cultivation time decrease the temperature to 16 °C. Avoid temperatures below 16 °C, because Celosia needs warm temperatures to grow.

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 iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate plants firstly slightly moist and later dry. Avoid inhibited and stressful cultivation (in particular low temperatures or nutrition deficiency), because the flower initiation may start before plants have reached sufficient size and thus the plant quality decreases.