Eucalyptus Silver Drop

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Myrtaceae, South Australia

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:50 cm,19,69 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Green pots: 15-18 months; Ornamental leaf production: 3-4 year

Sell Period:April till June, pot plants all year

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1250 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:7-9 days at 20-25°C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.5. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seed after sowing. Keep light level high.

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 nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 200 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-15 cm). Plant cut flowers in space of 3-5 plants per m2 or transplant 1 plant into a container (5 l) and place containers in space of 16 plant per m2. For cut flower production cultivate in container in order to simplify culture control because of the container's mobility. Ornamental leaf production in warm outdoors location is possible (climate for wine growing).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % perlite, 3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-7.0. Field: loamy soils with good drainage. Eucalyptus has low requirements to the soil. Standard fertilization: 100-150 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:High light intensity is required. Protected only young plants with shades against sunlight. The older the plants, the more light is needed. In winter additional assimilation light is required for ornamental leaf production.

Temperature:Grow at 16-18 °C. In growth period not cultivate below 12 °C. Eucalyptus does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200-300 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Just before harvest, use a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). In winter fertilize in 4 weeks interval. 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. Eucalyptus does tolerate high salt levels in soils. Avoid salt levels in substrate above 5 g/l. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 150 g/m2 slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. Take care of micronutrients levels in soil.

Cultural Hints:Eucalyptus needs high amounts of water in the growth period while in winter cultivate rather dry. Remove main shoot for a better branching.