Eryngium Alpinum Superbum

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Apiaceae, Mediterranean, Mountains Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:80 cm,31,5 inch

Natural flowertime:June - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 12 weeks; Green pots: 16 weeks Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 4-5 years

Sell Period:April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:204 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 15-18 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-7.0. 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 outdoors.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 18-20 °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 to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:6-9 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3-4 cm) and 3-4 weeks later transplant into a pot (8-10 cm). After transplanting keep the tray, because it is possible that more seeds germinate at a later time. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 40 x 40 cm space or transplant 3-5 plants into a container (25-40 l). For cut flower production cultivate in container in order to simplify culture control because of the container's mobility.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-20 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, perlite, sand), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.5. Field: humus, sandy loamy soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light level high.

Temperature:Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow at 12-18 °C or outdoors at ambient conditions. Eryngium does not tolerate hot temperatures. To control the cut flower production in container. The containers can be stored in cold storage at -1 °C and set up in intervals for forcing afterwards.

Fertilization:Moderate (E. bourgatii) to high (E. alpinum) fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150 (E. alpinum)-200 ppm (E. bourgatii) nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. Just before flowering use a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 60-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flowers are fully open. Remove the soft lateral shoots and cut the stems in diagonal. Vase life: 12-15 days. Cold storage is possible. Dried flower production is possible.

Cultural Hints:The plant shape improves after chilling period with respect to uniformity and better quality. Eryngium are very sensitive to wetness.