Liatris Floristan

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, North America

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:90 cm,35,43 inch

Natural flowertime:July - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8 weeks; Green pots: 16-20 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-14 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 2-3 year

Sell Period:April-July

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:303 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:20-30 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. 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 16-18 °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 up to 150 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (4x4 cm) and 8 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-15 cm), 3-5 plants into a container (3-5 l). For full flowering on annual cultivation transplant several plants into one pot. Plants: plant cut flower (frost free) in 20-25 x 25 cm space. Tuberous roots: After chilling period plant tuberous roots in 5 cm space and 5-7 cm deep. Approx. 60-80 tuberous roots per m2.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 10-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, sand, perlite), 3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-4 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0. Field: loamy, sandy, humus soils with a good drainage. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light levels high. The long day (14-16 h) supports the flower initiation while the short day support the vegetative growth. For tuberous roots forcing in spring, cultivate the first 2-3 weeks in short day and later for 5 weeks in long day. In winter and in spring additional assimilation light is required for early forcing. Night interruption is possible.

Temperature:Grow at 10-20 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 1-2 °C or outdoors. For tuberous roots a chilling period of at least 10-15 weeks at 0-2 °C is required for flower initiation. The chilling period for tuberous roots can be decreased by GA3 treatment. The tuberous roots can be stored for several months at -2 °C in the cold storage room. Before planting the tuberous roots should be kept for 2 weeks at 7 °C. After this treatment, cultivate the tuberous roots for 2-3 weeks at 13-15 °C in short day and afterwards cultivate for 5 weeks at 16-20 °C in long day (14-16 h). Planting in intervals the tuberous roots in greenhouse is possible a all-season.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 4 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 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 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer per year, applied in several portions. Prevent iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the top flowers of the spikes are open. Flowering occurs from top to bottom. Vase life: 12-15 days. Cold storage is possible. The stems can be stored cool and dry over long time. A treatment with 5 % sucrose for 24-72 h at 0-2 °C increases the stem life.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. Avoid over watering and drought stress. Disinfect the soils in greenhouse before planting. Treat substrate with fungicide against Verticillium and Botrytis after planting and in spring.