Cerastium Silver Carpet

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Caryphyllaceae, Italia

Sitelocation:Full sun-partial shade

Garden Height:20 cm,7,87 inch

Natural flowertime:May - June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, with vernalization

Sell Period:8-10

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2500 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, directly sown in final pots is possible.

Germination:7-14 days at 18-22 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

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 0,75 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 100-130 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-2 plants into a pack or pot (7-9 cm) and 3-5 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, sand) 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Flowering pot production in winter (calendar week 51) and early spring with additional assimilation light is recommended.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece needed. For wintering the root development in pots should be very good. In spring the plants start to grow indoor at end of December for 6-8 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-12 °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 complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that shoots are streched and the plants fall to pieces. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 80-100 ppm nitrogen, using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). 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.