Lychnis Lumina

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:Caryophyllaceae, Hybrids of L. fulgens X L. coronaria var. sieboldii, from E. Benary, Erfurt, 1858 (first Benary breeding)

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm,11,81 inch

Flower Size:6 cm,2,36 inch

Natural flowertime:June

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 11-14 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:May-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:680 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug

Germination:5-10 days at 20-23 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

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 up to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or 3-5 plants into a container (3-5 l).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, perlite) 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. The long day (14-16 h) supports the flower initiation and development. For flowering pot production in winter and in early spring additional assimilation light is required. High light intensity and direct sunlight promote the bronzing of the foliage for 'Lumina Bronze leaf Red'. Light deficiency stretches the shoots.

Temperature:Grow at 10-15 °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 indoors for 10-12 weeks at 10-15 °C and under long day condition.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 0 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, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry, but avoid drought stress and over watering. The roots are very sensitive to both extreme cultivation conditions.