Rhodochiton Atrosanguineus

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Scrophulariaceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:300 cm,118,11 inch

Natural flowertime:July - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 13-14 weeks; Hanging basket: 16-19 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2874 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, multiple sowing directly into final pots is possible

Germination:5-10 days at 20-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive high salt levels. Start fertilization at 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:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 2-3 plant into a pot (8-15 cm) and 4-5 plants into a container (3-5 l) or into a hanging basket (25-30 cm). Don't the set up the plants too close, because the plants grow very quickly into each other.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5. For container and hanging basket production the application of a slow release fertilizer is recommended.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plants. Keep light level high. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is recommended.

Temperature:Grow at 20-25 °C during daytime and at 10-15 °C during night. Temperatures below 15 °C are tolerated for a short time, but the growth is inhibited. For selling it is recommended to harden the plants slowly at 12-15 °C. Rhodochiton does not tolerate frost. Wintering in conservatory or cold greenhouse at 5-10 °C is possible.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Support the plants with sticks. Avoid climbing of the plants on each other during the cultivation. Pinching the top two weeks after transplanting increases the quantity of the flowers, because the more new shoots are developed the better is the flowering.