Gentiana Septemfida Lagodechiana

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Gentianaceae, East Caucasus, Turkey

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:25 cm,9,84 inch

Natural flowertime:July - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 12 weeks; Green pots: 20 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalisation; Cut flower production: 2-3 years

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:12739 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: 5.5-6.5. 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. The germination is not uniform.

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 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:2-3 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3 x 3 cm) and 4-8 weeks later transplant into a pot (7-9 cm), 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm). After transplanting keep the tray, because it is possible that more seeds germinate at a later time. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 30 x 30-35 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-20 % clay, 0-15 % 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: 5.5-6.5. Field: humus, sandy loamy, sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light level high. 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 June.

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 (vernalisation) for flower initiation is required. It is possible that flowering in foil tunnel or greenhouse 4 weeks earlier. Prefer cold temperatures because cold temperatures promote a more compact plant growth.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 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 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. Just before flowering use 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 (above pH 6.0) 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. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 75 % of the flowers per spike are open. Vase life: 12-15 days. Cold storage is not recommended.

Cultural Hints:Keep a constant water supply, but the soil or substrate not too wet. Do not let the plant pots dry out because drought stress is a cause for yellow leaves and brown leaf tips. Take absolutely care of hygiene during cultivation in order to avoid any Virus infects . After planting, before wintering and in spring treat the pots with fungicide against Botrytis, Fusarium and Pythium. Pinching the plant tops after transplanting is recommended for a better branching and good plant quality.