Matthiola Forcing Wonder

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Brassicaceae, Mediterranean

Sitelocation:Full Sun

Garden Height:60 cm,23,62 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-14 weeks, depending on season; Cut flower production: 14-20 weeks depending on season; Start November: 130 days (without additional lighting), Start March: 90 days

Sell Period:5 months after sowing

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:556 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 7-14 days at 18-21 °C; Stage II: 8 days at 15-17 °C; Stage III: 8 days at 4-8 °C (chilling period); Stage IV: 8 days at 12-15 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide against Botrytis. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Consistent moisture of the substrate and high humidity above 95 % for fast, uniform germination. Avoid the substrate to dry out.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. When cotyledons are fully developed (in stage III), treat Matthiola with a chilling period (short day 7 h, at least 27 klx) for 8 days. After the chilling period the single flowers will have a dark green foliage and the fully double flowers will have a light green foliage. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8 cm), 3-5 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm). Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 12,5-15 x 12,5-15 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright. Approx. 45-64 plants per m2.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. barks), 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8. Field: loamy soils, with a good drainage and high nutrition level. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Optional long day plant. Keep light levels high. High light levels improve the stem quality and increase the quantity of the flowers. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14-16 h) is recommended for cut flower production, because the cultivation time will be decreased and the plant and flower quality will be improved. Night interruption is possible. During flowering protect buds that show colour against very high light intensity in summer by shading Cultivation at ambient conditions without any supplemental lighting is possible.

Temperature:Grow at 14-15 °C or outdoors. For development of the flowers the temperatures should be decreased to 10-12 °C. Temperatures below 10 °C will promote the risk of fungi infection and temperatures above 18 °C will inhibit the flowering. For cultivation in foil tunnel take care of proper temperature control in summer, because Matthiola grows preferably at temperatures below 20 °C. Matthiola does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium levels and avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentration weekly. The CO2 fertilization (800 vpm) stimulates the growth in winter and spring. Optimum time for CO2 fertilization: 3-6 weeks after sowing.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 3-4 flowers on a stem are open. Remove the bottom leaves and cut wooden stems in diagonal. Transport the stems vertically. Vase life: 8-14 days. Cold storage is possible for 2 days at 5 °C. Dried flower production is possible.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. Avoid over head irrigation for the 6th leaf stage. Take care of low humidity in greenhouse and avoid wet foliage during night. Check the plants regularly for possible infection with fungi and treat appropriately.