Lewisia Special Mix

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Portulacaceae, USA, Rocky Mountains

Sitelocation:Partial shade

Garden Height:15 cm,5,91 inch

Flower Size:3,5 cm,1,38 inch

Natural flowertime:May - June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 10-12 weeks; Green pots: 20-24 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:flowering plants May-July

Seed Form:ApeX-Seed (supplemental Film-coating) and Raw Seed

Seed Count:1739 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:21-43 days at 15-18 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.0-6.0. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 15 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150 ppm.

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-10 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. bark, sand, perlite),1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.0-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. Keep light level moderate. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is recommended in combination with warm cultivation temperatures of 15-18 °C. Light deficiency is a cause for very limited flowering. Protect the plants in summer with a shading against high sunlight.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 4-8 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 7-14 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 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 100-150 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.

Cultural Hints:The roots are sensitive to wet substrates. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. In winter the substrate should be dry, otherwise the roots may die. After planting, in autumn and in spring treat substrate and soil with fungicide against Botrytis.