Potentilla Nepalensis Miss Willmott

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Rosaceae, Europe, West Himalaya, cosmopolitan

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:50 cm,19,69 inch

Natural flowertime:June - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Green pots: 10-13 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:April-August

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2611 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot

Germination:5-10 days at 20-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.5. 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 18-20 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 150 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-3 plants into a pot (8-10 cm) or packs and 3-5 plants into a container (3-5 l). Avoid very large pots, because the substrate in very large pots will be permanently wet and wetness can be a cause growth inhibition and a poor root development.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. wood fibres, perlite, sand),1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. The long day (14 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light is recommended. Cultivation at short day and at cold temperatures will increase the cultivation time by 4 weeks.

Temperature:Grow at 10-15 °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 for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures of 10-15 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is required. Cultivation at warm temperatures requires high light levels.

Fertilization:Moderate 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 complete balanced fertilizer. 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. The roots are sensitive to wet substrates.