Pentas Northern Lights Grower Fact

Pentas Northern Lights

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Rubiaceae, Tropic of Africa, Arabia

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:52 cm, 20,47 inch

Crop Time:14-18 weeks until finished plants, depending on the culture scheme, season and pot size

Sell Period:from May on

Seed Form:Pelleted Seed

Sowing Time:from January on

Sowing Method:1Pill per cell

Germination:Stage I:23-26 °C in 10-14 days; Stage II: 21-23 °C

Plug Culture:Stage III: 18-21 °C; Stage IV: 17-19 °C

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplants plugs into 10-15 cm pots or hanging baskets. Grow on at 18-21 °C. Fertilize at 100-150 ppm nitrogen in a well-balanced mix. Monitor soil pH levels and maintain a pH above 6.5.

Cultural Hints:Pentas roots release hydrogen ions into the soil, which will drop the pH to toxic levels if not monitored and adjusted if necessary. Maintaining higher temperatures during germination and early plug stages are critical to germination and seedling uniformity. Maintain pH levels between 6.5 and 6.8 to avoid magnesium deficiencies or iron toxicity. Low magnesium levels cause leaf puckering. Overwatering and cool temperatures, below 10 °C delays flowering.