Lobelia Cascade Mix

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Sitelocation:Partial shade

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-5 weeks; Flowering pots: Early species: 10-12 weeks, Standard species: 12-14 weeks; Hanging basket: 14-16 weeks

Sell Period:May-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:35714 K/g

Sowing Method:Raw seed: 7-10 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot

Germination:4-7 days at 21-24 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.0-5.8. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Long day (12-14 h) during germination decreases the cultivation time and the flowering will be earlier. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:Flowering pots: 3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 7-10 plants or 1 plug into a pot (6-10 cm). Hanging basket and big pots: 3-4 weeks after germination transplant 3-5 plugs into a hanging basket (20-25 cm) or bigger pot (10-12 cm). Two time transplantation for hanging basket production supports the young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-10 % parts (e. g. perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2,5 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.0-5.8. For hanging basket production the application of a slow fertilizer is recommended.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. Long day (14-16 h) promotes the flowering and decreases the cultivation time. Keep light level high. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is recommended. In early summer protect the plants by shading against high light intensity and warm temperatures, so that the plants can stay compact and the shoots do not stretch and don't fall apart. If cultivated at short day, cold temperatures will be required for a good plant quality.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C. After development of the roots decrease the temperature slowly to 10-12 °C and later decrease the temperature to 6-8 °C. Lobelia erinus does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Wetness and cold temperatures in substrate are a cause for iron deficiency. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low oncentrations weekly. The CO2 fertilization (600 vpm) stimulates the growth in winter and spring.

Cultural Hints:After transplanting treat pots with a fungicide against Rhizoctonia and Pythium. Cultivate rather dry and with cold temperatures, because the plants growth will be more compact and the flowering will be earlier.