Dianthus Confetti

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Caryophyllaceae, Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:15 cm, 5,91 inch

Natural flowertime:May - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 12 weeks; Flowering pots: 9-12 months, including vernalization

Seed Form:Coated Seed

Seed Count:4000 K/g

Sowing Time:March-July for flowering in pots the following year

Sowing Method:5-8 seeds per plug, can be sown directly in final pot

Germination:Stage I: 10-14 days at 20-22 °C; Stage II: 18-22 °C; Stage III: 18-20 °C; Stage IV: 16-18 °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 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 5-8 plants into a pack or pot (9-11 cm) or into a container (5 l).

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, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8.

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

Temperature:Grow at 10-12 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) for 8-10 weeks is required. In spring the plants start to grow for 7-8 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-10 °C and under natural condition for flowering May will increase the cultivation time. For flowering need temperature above 15 °C.

Fertilization:Low fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using alternating a complete balanced fertilizer and a calcium nitrate fertilizer. 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. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates or soils. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations.