Euphorbia Polychroma

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Euphorbiaceae, South-East Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:40 cm,15,75 inch

Natural flowertime:April - May

Crop Time:Plug crop: 12-13 weeks; Green pots: 15-17 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 3-4 years

Sell Period:May-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:286 K/g

Sowing Method:4-5 seeds per plug

Germination:1-2 weeks at 18-22 °C; 4-5 weeks at 0-5 °C 1 week at 5-10 °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 outdoors. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seed after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry. 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 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:7-9 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot (7-10 cm), 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. After transplanting keep the tray, because it is possible that more seeds germinate at a later time. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 30x30 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 10-20 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, sand, perlite), 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0. Field: loamy sandy soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light level high. In winter and spring supplemental lighting is recommended for good plant quality.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed and plants need to be protected against direct sunlight. In spring the plants start to grow at 12-15 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is required. For good growth and proper branching the temperatures should be above 10 °C. To control the cut flower production in container, the containers can be stored in cold storage at 3-5 °C and set up in intervals for forcing afterwards.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 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 potassium balance 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 bracts show good color. Very young leaves fade rapidly. Put the stems 1 cm in hot water (100 °C) immediately, because the flow of latex must to be stopped. Vase life: 5-8 days. Cold storage is possible.

Cultural Hints:The latex from E. polychroma is poisonous and is irritating to the skin. The roots are very sensitive to wet soils. For cultivation allow for to dry thoroughly between irrigations and keep outdoors a good drainage.