Exacum Midget

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Gentianaceae, Sokotra

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:15 cm5,91 inch

Natural flowertime:July - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering pots: Summer: 5-6 months, Winter: 4-5 months; Flowering pots (little): 4-5 months

Sell Period:April-November

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:40000 K/g

Sowing Method:3-4 seeds per plug

Germination:8-12 days at 21-23 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.0-5.5. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 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:4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (7-9 cm) and 3 plants into a bigger pot (10-12 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.0-5.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. The long day (16-18 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light (30-60 Watt/m2) is required. Protect the plant in summer against high light intensity, because the flowers can get bleached out.

Temperature:Grow at 18-20 °C. In winter and at night the temperatures can be decreased to 15-16 °C. Avoid temperatures below 10 °C, because the vegetative growth might stop.

Fertilization: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. 2-4 weeks before flowering use a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). In winter for a quick flowering reduce the fertilization and keep the pots rather dry, but not dried out. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly. The CO2 fertilization (600 vpm) stimulates the growth in winter and in spring.