Heliopsis Summer Sun

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, North America

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:120 cm,47,24 inch

Natural flowertime:July - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7-8 weeks; Green pots: 12-16 weeks; Flowering pots: 16-20 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including wintering Cut flower production: 4-5 years.

Sell Period:June-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:200 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug, can be sown directly in final pots

Germination:8-10 days at 20-25 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.5. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

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 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 200-250 ppm.

Growing On:5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-15 cm), 2-4 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm) or a container (3-5 l). Two time transplantation will support the young plant quality. For full flowering with an annual cultivation transplant several plants into one pot. Plant cut flowers in 35-40 x 35-40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres),1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.5-7.5. Field: sandy, loamy soils with good drainage and good nutrition levels. Standard fertilization: 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plants. For the growth and flowering Heliopsis need high light levels. The long day (14 h) supports the flower initiation. In winter additional assimilation light in combination with warm temperatures is required for early forcing. Short days delay the growth.

Temperature:?? Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. Temperatures below 13 °C over long time can cause yellow leaves. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200-250 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because the stems can be become soft. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 200-250 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer. 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. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flowers are open. Buds that are still closed at harvest become faded and do not open. Remove the bottom leaves and put the stems in hot water. Vase life: 6-8 days. Cold storage is not recommended. Over the year harvest 20-25 stems per plant in the first year and in the second year harvest 80-100 stems per plant. Remove faded flower stems to encourage additional flowers.

Cultural Hints:Moist, light and airy cultivation. Avoid over watering and drought stress. Keep enough distance between the containers. Take care of a constant nutrition and water supply in the field.