Nigella Transformer

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Ranunculaceae, South Europe, Spain, North Africa

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:40 cm,15,75 inch

Natural flowertime:July - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-16 weeks; Cut flower production: 12-16 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:222 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, sowing directly into field or pot is recommended.

Germination:7-14 days at 18-21 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.5. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate 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 15-18 °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 to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-12 cm). Avoid root injury. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 15-20 x 20-30 cm space. Approx. 16 plants per m2.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.5. Field: humus, loamy soils with good drainage and good nutrition levels. Standard fertilization: 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Temperature:Grow at 12-17 °C or outdoors. Nigella does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 10-20 g/m2 of fertilizer. N min soil value: approximately 60 g N/m2.

Cultural Hints:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the 70 % of the flowers are just open. Remove the bottom leaves. Vase life: 5 days. Cold storage is possible. Seedpods are ideal for dried flower production and should be dried in darkening.