Jasione Laevis

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Campanulaceae, Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:50 cm,19,69 inch

Natural flowertime:June - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks; Green pots: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 2-3 years

Sell Period:July-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:10417 K/g

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

Germination:14-21 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 4.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. 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, the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 17-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 30-50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-2 plants into a pack or pot (7-10 cm) and 3-4 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 25-30 x 25-30 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres, sand, perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 4.5-6.0. Field: sandy soils, with rocks and with a good drainage. Standard fertilization: 40-60 g/m2 slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14 h) is required for pot and cut flower production.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C. Cool night temperatures (10-12 h) supports a compact plant growth and good plant quality. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-9 weeks at 15-18 °C and long day. Cold temperatures at 10-13 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period is required for flower initiation. Jasione can also made to flower two-three weeks earlier in the poly-tunnel.

Fertilization:Low 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 with 80-100 ppm nitrogen of 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. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer per year, applied in several portions.

Cultural Hints:Do not cultivate the plants for pot plant and cut flower production too wet or too dry. Before wintering and before forcing in spring treat the pots with a fungicide against Botrytis.