Dicentra Eximia

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Papaveraceae, China, Korea

Sitelocation:Partial shade - shade

Garden Height:70 cm,27,56 inch

Natural flowertime:May - June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 12-14 weeks; Green pots: 20-24 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-14 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 4-7 years

Sell Period:May-August

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:200 K/g

Sowing Method:4-5 seeds per plug

Germination:1-2 weeks at 15-18 °C; 4-5 weeks at 0-4 °C 1 week at 10 °C; Following at 12-15 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Cold germinator. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. For the chilling period try to cool the seed in the cold store (4-6 weeks) or during winter outdoor. Alternating temperatures support the germination.

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 50-75 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 1 plant per plug tray (3-4 cm) and 3-4 weeks later transplant into a pot (8-10 cm), 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or container (3-5 l). After transplanting keep the tray, because it is possible that more seeds germinate at a later time. For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Transplant the plant not too deep into substrate. Plant cut flowers in April-May (frost free) or August-September in 40 x 50-60 cm space or 3-4 plant into a container (25-40 l). Use nets to keep the stems upright. For cut flower production cultivate in container in order to simplify culture control because of the container's mobility. Transplant the plant not too deep into soil.

Media:Use a well-drained, perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark), 1-1,5 kg /m3, complete balanced fertilizer. 1-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0. Field: sandy humus soil with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. In winter and spring supplemental lighting is effective. A cultivation in cold greenhouse or field at ambient conditions is possible. In this case the flowering is in May.

Temperature:Grow at 10-15 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring (January onwards) start to grow for 4-7 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 7-12 °C will increase cultivation time. High temperatures at 25 °C inhibit the flower formation. A cool cultivation supports a good plant quality.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using alternating a calcium nitrate fertilizer and a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 130-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. After 4-5 weeks apply magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) for 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Very high nitrogen levels in substrate will inhibit an intensive pigmentation of flowers. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m2 fertilizer per year, applied in several portions. Fertilize for the first time shortly before the shoot start to grow.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 30-50 % of the flowers are fully open. Harvest no closed flowers, because the stability of flowers decrease rapidly. Vase life: 5-7 days. Cold storage is not possible. Use ethylene inhibiting additives to increase the stability for 3-5 days.

Cultural Hints:Do not cultivate the plants too wet or too dry. Protect the cut flower production in field against wind. Immediately after flowering become the plants get yellow leaves and go back into the soil