Iberis Snowflake

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Brassicaceae, South-East-Europe, Asia Minor

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:30 cm11,81 inch

Natural flowertime:April - May

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 16-20 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, with vernalization

Sell Period:April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:270 K/g

Sowing Method:5-7 seeds per plug, direct sowing into final pots is possible

Germination:14-21 days at 15-18 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.5. Requires light for germination. Don't cover seeds. 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. 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 up to 100 ppm.

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 5-7 plants into a pack or pot (10-15 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, sand) 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep long day (12-14 h) for flower initiation and vegetative growth. Flowering pot production in winter and early spring with additional assimilation light (30-40 klx) is recommended.

Temperature:Grow at 10-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece needed. For wintering the root development in pots should be very good. In December (earliest from CW 51) the plants start to grow for 6-7 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-12 °C will increase the cultivation time.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that shoots are stretched and the plants fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 80-100 ppm nitrogen, using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of Iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and cool cultivation. Short time wetness can cause rotting of roots. Take care of a good drainage outdoors. Remove the top in early autumn to improve the branching and to achieve more flowering in following year