Oenothera Macrocarpa

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:Onagraceae, North America

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm,11,81 inch

Flower Size:8,5 cm,3,35 inch

Natural flowertime:July - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-7 weeks; Green pots: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-14 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization.

Sell Period:April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:182 K/g

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:8-14 days at 22-26 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Requires light for germination. 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, 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 up 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 container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. For annual production transplant at least 3 plants into a container, because the flowering is not uniform in the first year.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, 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 plant. For flower initiation and plant development long day (14-16 h) is required. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light and long day are required.

Temperature:Grow at 15-18 °C during day time and at 10 °C during night or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors a fleece cover is needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 9-11 weeks at 15-18 °C and long day. If cultivated at high temperatures, the light intensity should be high for good plant quality. Cold temperatures at 8-10 °C will increase the cultivation time by 2-4 weeks. A chilling period for flower initiation is not required, but with a chilling period the flowering is more uniform and full.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-130 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that the shoots are stretched and the plant falls apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 100-130 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). 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.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Roots are sensitive to wet substrates. Oenothera tolerates very dry substrate or soils.