Leucanthemum Meadow Daisy

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Europe to Caucasus

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:65 cm,25,59 inch

Natural flowertime:May - June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 20 weeks, limited flowering; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization, full flowering

Sell Period:April-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2273 K/g

Sowing Method:3-4 seeds per plug, sowing directly into pots is possible

Germination:9-12 days at 16-24 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5.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. High temperatures above 25 °C will inhibit germination.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 16-18 °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 150 ppm.

Growing On:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1-3 plants into a pot (10-15 cm) or packs and 3-4 plants into a container (3-5 l). For full flowering with an annual cultivation transplant several plants into one pot.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. perlite, sand), 1,5-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. The long day (14-16 h) supports the flower initiation. Keep light level high, because high light levels improve the plant quality. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is required for plant pot and cut flower production. Cultivation at warm temperatures needs high light levels. Night interruption is possible.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-10 weeks at 13-18 °C and long day. Temperatures above 20 °C will increase the risk of infection with fungi and make the plant habit worse. Cold temperatures will increase the cultivation time. If cultivated at low light levels the temperature should be cool for good stem quality. A chilling period (vernalization) for 10-12 weeks is recommended for flower initiation. This improves uniformity and the quantity of the flowering. Without a chilling period is the flowering very limited.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 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 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 (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrate/soils. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Don't produce too close between pots. After planting and in spring treat substrate and soil with fungicide against Verticillium. The young shoots, foliage and roots are edible. Young shoots and foliage can be used as salad and the roots can be used as vegetable.