Gentiana Acaulis

TECHNICAL INFORMATIO

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Gentianaceae, Alps

Sitelocation:Partial shade - shade

Garden Height:10 cm,3,94 inch

Natural flowertime:May - June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 12 weeks; Green pots: 20 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:July-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2941 K/g

Sowing Method:5-6 seeds per plug

Germination:1-2 weeks at 18-22 °C; 4-5 weeks at 0-5 °C; 1 week at 5-12 °C; Following at 12-15 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.0-5.5. 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.

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 ppm.

Growing On:2-3 weeks aftersowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (4x4 cm) and 4-8 weeks later transplant 1-2 plants into a pot (7-9 cm), 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, perennial substrate with 0-20 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark), 1-1,5 kg /m3 complete balanced fertilizer. 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.0-5.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. In winter and spring supplemental lighting is effective. A cultivation in cold greenhouse or outdoors at ambient conditions is possible. In this case the flowering is in May. Protect the plants in summer against high light intensity by shadings.

Temperature:Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring start to grow at 10-15 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is required. It is possible that flowering in foil tunnel or greenhouse is 4 weeks earlier.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80 -100 ppm nitrogen (at 1 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 with 80-100 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. After 4-5 weeks apply magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) for 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Very high nitrogen levels in substrate cause shoot stretch and soft shoots. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times weekly with low concentrations.