Kniphofia Mix

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asphodelaceae, South Africa

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:100 cm.39,37 inch

Natural flowertime:August - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8 weeks; Green pots: 22 weeks; Flowering pots: 26-28 weeks, limited flowering; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization full flowering; Cut flower production: 4-5 years

Sell Period:April-July

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:417 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug, can be sown directly in final pots (4-6 seeds)

Germination:14-20 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.2. 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 15-18 °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 up to 150 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage roots growth, thus improving plant quality. For annual production transplant at least 3 plants into a container, because the flowering is not uniform in first year. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 20x40 cm space. Protect the young plants against frost with fleece cover at night.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres), 1,5-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 2-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2. Field: humus sandy soils, with a good drainage and the soil should warm up quickly. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. For flower initiation and development 10-12 weeks long day are required. In the first year the flowering is 2-4 weeks later than in the following years. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14 h) is recommended for pot and cut flower production. This treatment for quick flowering decreases the cultivation time by 4 weeks. Flowering can be 1-2 weeks earlier with foil cover outdoors.

Temperature:Grow at 15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors a fleece cover or mulch cover with straw (20 cm) is needed. In spring the plants start to grow at 12-15 °C and long day. A chilling period for flower initiation is not required, but with a chilling period the flowering is more uniform and full. Kniphofia can also be made to flower 2-4 weeks earlier in the poly-tunnel.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using alternating a complete balanced fertilizer and calcium nitrate fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a potassium 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 apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 100-150 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer per year, applied in several portions.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when lowest 2 rows of flower tubes on the spikes are fully open. Transport the flowers stems only upright, because the stems bent when the stems are laying. Vase life: 10-15 days. Cold storage is not recommended.

Cultural Hints:Do not cultivate the plants for pot plant and cut flower production too wet or too dry. Drought stress is a cause that the flower dry in while short time over watering results in rotting of the roots. In summer Kniphofolia has a relative high water demand. Control and fight the weed in time, because the plants don't tolerate a competition with weeds in the soils.