Myosotis Deep Blue Tower

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Biennial

Familiy, Origin:Boraginaceae, Europe, Siberia

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:25 cm,9,84 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 6-8 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:August-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1600 K/g

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot (3-5 seeds)

Germination:Stage I: 10-14 days at 20-22 °C; Stage II: 9-10 days at 16-20 °C; Stage III and IV: 7-9 days at 15-20 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 6.0-7.0. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seed after sowing. In field sow not too close (0,75 g/m2).

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

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pot (9 cm) or packs.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0,5-1 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-7.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plants. For growth and flowering Myosotis needs high light levels. Avoid direct sunlight by shading at warm temperatures in autumn or in winter. Light deficiency combined with warm temperatures can be a cause for stretching of shoots.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C. In January the plants start to grow for 3-5 weeks at 7-13 °C. Grow as cool as possible, but avoid freezing temperatures for a good plant quality. At warm temperatures open airing in time.

Fertilization: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 potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). The plants take up the minerals at 5 °C. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after early October. In spring fertilize 150-200 ppm nitrogen of 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. Temperatures below 10 °C inhibit the iron uptake. Therefore take care of, that the temperature is above 10°C for iron fertilization.

Cultural Hints:Avoid that the plant roots grow into the soil underground and cultivate as cool as possible for compact plant development. High relative humidity in winter and wet foliage are a cause for Botrytis. Cultivate slightly moist but not wet.