Physalis Alkekengi Grower Fact

Physalis Alkekengi

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Solanaceae, Japan, Korea, North - China

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:90 cm,35,43 inch

Natural flowertime:August - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 16-18 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 12-14 months, including vernalization; Cut flower production: 3-4 years

Sell Period:May-September

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:561 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:7-14 days at 15-22 ˇăC, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 15-18 ˇăC. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-15 cm) and 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 15-20 x 15-20 cm.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % organic parts (e.g. bark, perlite),1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0. Field: loamy, sandy, humus to humus sandy soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. The long day (14 h) supports the flower initiation and the flower development. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light is required.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 ˇăC or outdoors. Prefer cold temperatures for a compact pant growth. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 ˇăC or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow for 8-9 weeks at 12-15 ˇăC. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is not required.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200-250 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because at high nitrogen levels the stems are getting soft. 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 apply iron-chelate 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.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the lantern-like husks of berry are showing color. Transport the stems upright and not wet. Vase life: 20 days. Cold storage is not required. For dried flower production stems can be harvested, when the berries are green. Dry stems only in upright position, so that the lanterns hang down.

Cultural Hints:Physalis are poisonous. For pot production cultivate rather dry and avoid over watering in order to promote a compact plant habit. Cut flower production: Physalis have a spacious root system (rhizomatous roots) from which new shoots will form in the following spring. Take care of a constant water supply, because water deficiency can be a cause for short flower stems.