Heuchera Ruby Bells

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Saxifragaceae, North America

Sitelocation:Partial shade

Garden Height:40 cm,15,75 inch

Natural flowertime:May - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 9 weeks; Green pots: 16-24 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 4-5 years

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:15873 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:10-20 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-6.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seed. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. Use only fresh seeds.

Plug Culture:During Stage II and Stage III maintain temperature between 65-70°F (18-21°C). Stage II relative humidity should remain near 95% and gradually lowered during Stage III. Avoid fluctuations in soil moisture. Begin feeding at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well-balanced mix at Stage III. Stage IV temperatures can be lower gradually to tone plants. Large plugs can be vernalized.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (4x4 cm) and 3-4 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) or 3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Two time transplantation will support the young plant quality. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 25x30 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 2-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-6.5. Field: sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. Flowerings pot production in winter and early spring with additional assimilation light (14 h) will improve the plant quality (more compact plants), will intensify the flower colour and will decrease the cultivation time. A cultivation under ambient conditions in cold greenhouse is possible, too, but then the flowering is not before May.

Temperature:Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 9-12 weeks at 10-18 °C. Warm temperatures will decrease the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using alternating a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and a calcium nitrate fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 130-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete 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 can be cause that the leaves fall apart and that the application of growth regulators will become necessary. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 50 % of the flowers of a stem are just fully open and the stems are not soft. Vase life: 8-10 days. Over the year harvest 12 stems per plant. The foliage can be used as ornamental material for floral arrangements.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry, because the roots are very sensitive to wet substrates or soils. Planting in warm and sunny locations. Treat the plants with fungicide against Botrytis after transplanting and to start to growth in spring. Clear the leaves after wintering.