Gazania Mini Star

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, South Africa

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:20 cm,7,87 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering pots: Early spring: 22-24 weeks, Summer: 12-15 weeks

Sell Period:May

Seed Form:Rubbed Seed

Seed Count:417 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 10-12 days at 21 °C; Stage II: 7-10 days at 21 °C; Stage III and IV: 14-21 days at 15-18 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

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. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:After 3-4 weeks transplant 1-3 plants into a pack or pot (8-10 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1,5 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8.

Photoperiod / Light:Optional long day plant. Gazania needs a certain amount of accumulated light for flowering. Keep light levels high. For vegetative growth and flowering Gazania needs high light levels. Flowering pots production in winter and early spring with additional assimilation light (30-40 klx) and long day (14-16 h) is required and will improve the plant quality. Light deficiency can a cause stretching of leaves and shoots. The flowers are not open during the night.

Temperature:Grow at 12-16 °C. Very cold temperatures will increase the cultivation time. Gazania does tolerate not frost.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 1,5 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Avoid pH above 6.0, as high pH causes iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron, if chlorosis becomes a problem. To prevent magnesium deficiency, apply magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times. Gazania does tolerate high salt levels in substrate.

Cultural Hints:Gazania prefers a dry cultivation, but avoid excessive drought conditions. Drought stress can cause a delay for flowering and will promote leaf burn at high light intensity. Avoid wet foliage and wet flowers, especially during night, because this can cause rotting and infection with Botrytis.