Dianthus Allwoodii Alpinus

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Caryophyllaceae, Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:20 cm, 7,87 inch

Natural flowertime:May - July

Crop Time:Plug crop:6 weeks; Green pots: 6-8 weeks Flowering pots: 14-16 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 9-12 months, including wintering and vernalization

Sell Period:May-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:769 K/g

Sowing Time:January-February for flowering in pots from May onwards; July-August for flowering in pots the following year.

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, can be sown directly in final pot

Germination:7-14 days at 20-22 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

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 up to 100-130 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pack or pot (8-15 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark) 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8.

Photoperiod/ Light:Day length neutral plant. In winter and spring supplemental lighting combined with high temperatures at 15-18 °C are recommended.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C. In spring the plants start to grow for 7-10 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures under natural condition for flowering May-June will increase the cultivation time. For flowering temperature need to be 15 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) is not required.

Fertilization:Low fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-130 ppm nitrogen (at 1 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using alternating a complete balanced fertilizer and a calcium nitrate fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. The roots are very sensitive to high ammonium levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 130-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. 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. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates, too. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Don't produce too close, to avoid fungi infection.