Santolina Tomentosa

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Western Mediterranean area

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:30 cm,11,81 inch

Natural flowertime:July - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks

Sell Period:August-November

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2500 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, sowing directly into pot is recommended

Germination:10-14 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.5. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite 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 16-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,50 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 80-100 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 3-5 plants into a pot (7-13 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres), 0-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. Keep light level high. High light levels promote the coloring of the leaves and the odour of the plants. The extent of selling plants with flowers is negligible. Frost free cultivation outdoors is possible.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C. In mid December the plants start to grow for 5-7 weeks at 15-18 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is required.

Fertilization:Low fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-125 ppm nitrogen (at 0 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 100-125 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry. Avoid over head irrigation and wet foliage, because the foliage is slow drying and the risk of infection with fungi is high. The roots are sensitive to wet substrates. After wintering clear the plants before forcing.