Papaver Matador

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Papaveraceae, Asia, North America

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:50 cm,19,69 inch

Natural flowertime:May - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7-8 weeks; Green pots: 8-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 13-15 weeks, annual cultivation is possible, Cut flower production: 5-6 months

Sell Period:April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:5814 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, tap root formation, sowing directly into final pots or field is recommended

Germination:7-12 days at 18-24 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. Papaver form a tap root. Avoid the plant roots to grow into soil underground, because if the trays are moved, the roots will tear up and this can cause growth inhibition.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, 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 up to 100 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot (9-10 cm), 1-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-18 cm) and 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 l). P. nudicaule: For flowering pot production ensure a good pot size to encourage root growth, thus improving the plant quality. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 25-30 x 25-30 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 10-15 % parts (e. g. bark, perlite, sand), 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0. Field: loamy sandy humus soils with a good drainage. Standard fertilization: 40-60 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. Keep light levels high. The long day (14-16 h) supports the flower initiation. In winter additional assimilation light in combination with warm temperatures are required for early forcing.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 °C. Avoid temperatures above 25 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-9 weeks at 13-15 °C and long day. If cultivated at high temperatures, the light intensity should be high for good plant quality. Cold temperatures at 5-10 °C will increase the cultivation time by 2-4 weeks. A chilling period for flower initiation is not required.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that the stems and the foliage are stretched and the plant fall apart. When the buds are visible, additional foliage fertilizations should be carried out. 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:Dry, light and airy cultivation. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. For transplantation avoid root injury, because this can be a cause for growth inhibition.