Nepeta Mussinii

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:Lamiaceae, Caucasus, North Iran

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:30 cm,11,81 inch

Natural flowertime:May - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-7 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-16 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including wintering

Sell Period:July-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1200 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug, can be sown direct in field

Germination:10-14 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. 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 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 100 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) and 1-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or into a container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres, sand), 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. The long day (14-16 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is required.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 °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 for 4-8 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-10 °C will promote a compact plant habit, but will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is not required.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because at high nitrogen level the plants become soft and the shoots become stretched and fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:After transplanting treat pots with a fungicide against Rhizoctonia. The roots are sensitive to wet substrates. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Pinching the top once after transplanting increase the quantity of the flowers. Remove faded flowers to allow for a following flowering.