Marigold Starfire

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm, 11,81 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop:5-7 weeks;Flowering pots:9-11 weeks

Sell Period:April-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1282 K/g

Sowing Time:January-February for bedding plant production; February-March for flowering in pots from June onwards

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:7-14 days at 18-24 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.5. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite 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 18-20 °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 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-11 cm) or packs, 2-4 plants into a bowl (20-25 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. perlite),1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.5.

Photoperiod/ Light:Day length neutral plants. Keep light levels high. Short days (9-10 h) after transplanting for 2-3 weeks will improve the branching and the flower initiation will be earlier. Avoid long day conditions, because the long day (above 14 h) promotes very strongly the vegetative growth. In summer protect the plants against high sun intensity by shading.

Temperature:Grow at 12-20 °C or outdoors. Temperatures during plug stage are too low, quality of first flowers will be poor. Prefer temperatures between 18-20 °C for cultivation, because these temperatures promote the flower initiation. The plants for early selling should be hardened slowly at 10-13 °C. T. tenuifolia does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that the leaves are too large and high ammonium levels will damage the roots. Check regularly pH value in substrate, because pH below 5.0 can result in necrotic spots on the leaves or in yellow leaves.