Gaillardia Torchlight

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, North America

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:75 cm,29,53 inch

Flower Size:10 cm,3,94 inch

Natural flowertime:June - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 5-7 weeks Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 2 years

Sell Period:July-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:294 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug, sowing directly into final pot or field is possible

Germination:10-14 days at 21-24 °C, in media with slow low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seed. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. In the field sowings need to be covered by light transparent fleece or foil to avoid drying out.

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 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150 ppm.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8. Field: humus, loamy, sandy soils with a good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. The long day (12-16 h) supports the flower initiation while the short day supports the vegetative growth. In the early weeks of vegetative growth cultivate in short day (10-12 h) until the plants have developed good leaves. Later cultivate in long day (14-16 h) with high light intensity (20-30 klx) for flower development. Night interruption is possible. In winter additional assimilation light is required. Warm cultivation temperatures require high light intensity in short day as well as in long day for a good plant quality. Light deficiency can cause poor growth.

Temperature:Grow at 12-20 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. For wintering the root development in pots should be very good and the plants should be have 16 leaves. 'Torchlight' need a chilling period (vernalization) of 10-15 weeks for flower initiation. In spring the plants start to grow for 7-8 weeks at 18-20 °C during daytime and at 16-18 °C during night. Cold temperatures at 12-15 °C will increase the cultivation time, but the plant shape is more compact.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen levels, because high nitrogen levels are a cause for the shoots fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 130-150 ppm nitrogen using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). In long day fertilize with 130-150 ppm nitrogen using 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 apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer per year, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 2-3 flower rings are open and the stems are not soft. Vase life: 8-10 days.