Penstemon Mystica

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Scrophulariaceae, Canada, East America

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:75 cm,29,53 inch

Flower Size:14 cm,5,51 inch

Natural flowertime:May - July

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks; Green pots: 7-9 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 2-3 years

Sell Period:Foliage plant: August-April, flowering plant: May-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed (ApeX-Seed supplemental Film coating)

Seed Count:4184 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:14-20 days at 20-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.2. 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, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 16-18 °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 150 ppm.

Growing On:5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (13-15 cm) and 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 40x40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright. Protect the plants against frost at night.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1,5-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.2. Field: sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. Keep light level high, because high light intensity and long day (16-18 h) improve the flowering and the pigmentation of the flowers and the leaves is more intense than at low light intensity. In winter and in early spring supplemental lighting (at least 10 watt/m2) is recommended. Light deficiency promotes excessive stretching of the shoots.

Temperature:Grow at 13-18 °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 at 13-18 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation. P. digitalis can also made to flower earlier in the polytunnel.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. 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 (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. Take care of a good micro nutrition supply to the plants.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 30 % of the flowers per stem are just open. Vase life: 5-10 days.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry, because the roots are very sensitive to wet substrates or soils. High light intensity promotes the red coloring of the foliage and the quantity of the flowers.