Helichrysum Bikini

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Australia

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:30 cm, 11,81 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Flowering pots: 9-10 weeks

Sell Period:young plants 5, cut flowers 7

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1887 K/g

Sowing Time:Mid February-May for flowering in pots from May onwards Early July for flowering in pots from September onwards

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug, can be multiple sown directly into pots or packs

Germination:7-10 days at 20-24 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. 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:2-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plants per pot (8-10 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or into a container (3-5 l).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. perlite, coconut fibres), 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Temperature:Grow at 16-18 °C, later decrease the temperature to 13-16 °C when the roots development in pots should be very good. This promotes a compact plant growth, full flowering and a beautiful coloring, but increase the cultivation time by 1-2 weeks. To harden the plants for early selling temperatures can be decreased to 10-12 °C. Helichrysum does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Very high nitrogen levels in substrate cause shoot stretching and the shoots fall apart. 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 (0,025 %) 1-2 times.