Sagina Subulata

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Caryophyllaceae, Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:8 cm,3,15 inch

Natural flowertime:June - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks; Green pots: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 13-15 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:August-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:35714 K/g

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

Germination:5-8 days at 18-22 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Requires light for germination. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 15-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pack or pot (7-15 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, sand, perlite) 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. For flowering pot production in winter (CW 51) and in early spring additional assimilation light is recommended. Sagina is mainly sold as ornamental leaf plants while the market share for selling plants with flowers is negligible.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece needed. For wintering the roots should be developed well in the pots. In spring the plants start to grow indoors from end of December onwards for 8-10 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures of 8-12 °C will increase the cultivation time. Cold temperatures will increase the flowering time. Sagina does not tolerate hot temperatures.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 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 with 80-100 ppm nitrogen, using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). 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:Cultivate constantly moist but not too wet. Short time wetness can cause rotting of roots.