Lathyrus Latifolius Mix

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Fabaceae, South Europe, Mediterranean

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:180 cm,70,87 inch

Natural flowertime:June - October

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

Sell Period:April- August

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:18 K/g

Sowing Method:3-4 seeds per plug, sowing directly in final pots /field is recommended

Germination:10-15 days at 15 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Requires light for germination. Soak seeds in warm water (22 °C) for 24 h before sowing. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid the substrate/soil to dry out.

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 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-3 plants into a pot (8-15 cm) and 3 plants into a container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production select appropriate good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Supports the plants with sticks. Avoid climbing of the plants on each other during cultivation. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 30x30 cm (double row) or in 10x10 cm (single row) space. Optimal plant height for transplanting: 8-10 cm. Strain wires alongside the plants to allow for the shoots to climb.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, perlite), 1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5. Field: humus loamy soils, with a good drainage. Lathyrus have low demands to the soil, but are sensitive to wetness in soils. Standard fertilization: 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. For flower initiation and development long day (12-14 h) is required. Keep light levels high. High light levels improve the stem quality and increase the quantity of the flowers. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14 h) is required for pot and cut flower production. During the flowering time in summer protect the flowers by shading against very high light intensity.

Temperature:Grow at 8-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow at 10-15 °C and long day. A chilling period for flower initiation for at least 8-12 weeks is required. In winter and spring warm temperatures combined with low light intensity support shorter flower stem lengths and smaller size the foliage.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 150-200 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 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer per year. Fertilize additional with 80-100 ppm nitrogen weekly. Use a complete balanced fertilizer. 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.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 1-2 of the lower flowers per stem are just open. Put the stems in water immediately. Vase life: 8-12 days. Cold storage is not recommended.

Cultural Hints:L. latifolius are popoisonous. Do not cultivate the plants for pot plant and cut flower production too wet or too dry. L. latifolius has a relative high water demand in summer.