Dahlia Figaro

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mountains of Mexico and Guatemala

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm,11,81 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-13 weeks, depending on light intensity and species

Sell Period:May-June

Seed Form:Coated Seed and Raw Seed

Seed Count:123 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot

Germination:3-5 days at 24-26 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Germination at temperatures of 18-26 °C is possible. Cold temperatures increase the germination time to 10-14 days.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 16-18 °C. Temperatures below 10 °C will cause flower initiation and will inhibit the shoot branching inhibit. 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 to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 2-3 plants into a pack or pot (9-14 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light levels high. For the growth and flowering Dahlia need long day (14-15 h) and high light intensity (30-40 klx). Night interruption (2-4 h) is possible. In winter and spring assimilation light is effective. Short day (less 12 h) combined with cool temperatures (less 18 °C) promotes tuber formation.

Temperature:Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. For selling it is recommended to harden the plants at temperatures of 12-13 °C. Cultivate flowering plants not below 13 °C. Dahlia plants do not tolerate frost. Temperatures above 21 °C combined with long day of 16 h cause flowers to dry in and temperatures above 25 °C inhibit the flower initiation.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.