PENTAS LANCEOLATA, EGYPTIAN STAR Kaleidoscope

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Rubiaceae, Tropic of Africa, Arabia

Sitelocation:Full Sun

Garden Height:45 cm, 17,72 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Flowering pots: 14-18, depending on pot size

Sell Period:up to May

Seed Form:Pelleted Seed

Seed Count:1600 K/g

Sowing Time:January-April

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:Stage I: 10-14 days at 23-26 °C; Stage II: 7-10 days at 20-22 °C; Stage III and IV: 14 -21 days at 18-21 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-7.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. In winter and spring supplemental light is recommended. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. For irrigation use warm water (above 18 °C) only. Temperatures below 16 °C will inhibit the germination and the growth.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 25-50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (3x3 cm) and 6-8 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (11-14 cm). Two time transplantation support the young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 10-20 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. coconut fibres, perlite, sand), 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-7.5.

Photoperiod/ Light:Day length neutral plant. Keep light level high. For the flower initiation and for the vegetative growth long day (14-16 h) is recommended. Cultivate the plants in long day with additional assimilation light (20-40 klx). Additional assimilation light will decrease the cultivation time by 2-3 weeks. Night interruption is possible. Light deficiency promotes excessive stretching of the flower stems.

Temperature:Grow at 17-19 °C. At temperatures below 16 °C the vegetative growth is inhibited. Just before selling harden the plants. Decrease the temperature slowly. Temperatures below 10 °C will delay the flowering. Pentas does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 1 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using alternating a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and a calcium nitrate fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times. Check regularly pH value in substrate, because at pH above 6.0 iron deficiency (yellow edges on the leaves) can appear and at pH below 5.0 iron toxicity (necrotic spots on the leaves) can arise. In case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times and in case of iron toxicity adjust the pH in substrate with lime.