Incarvillea Delavayi

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Bignoniaceae, China

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:38 cm.14,96 inch

Natural flowertime:June - July

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Green pots: 12-14 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 2-3 years

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:235 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:4-8 days at 21-24 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 4.5-6.5. Requires light for germination. 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 °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 100 ppm.

Growing On:2-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-3 plants into a pot (8-15 cm) and 3-4 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 25x30 cm space. Protect the young plants with a fleece cover against night frost.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. perlite, sand, bark, compost), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 4.5-6.5. Field: sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. The long day (12-14 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is required.

Temperature:Grow at 10-16 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover or mulch cover needed. Protect the roots carefully in winter with cover against drying. If the roots not dried out, plant will tolerate temperatures down to 15 °C. In spring the plants start to grow for 12-13 weeks at 7-12 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is required.

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. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 80-100 ppm nitrogen of a complete 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 50-80 g/m2 slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions.

Cultural Hints:The plants form a tuberous root. The root growing underneath the soil surface and can dry out very quickly. Take care of a constant water supply, but avoid over watering. The roots are sensitive to very wet substrates or soils. Protect the plant roots in winter against frost.