Sanvitalia Procumbens

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:15 cm,5,91 inch

Natural flowertime:May - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-7 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-9 weeks; Hanging basket: 15-20 weeks

Sell Period:from April

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1789 K/g

Sowing Method:5-7 seeds per plug, can be multiple sown directly into pots or packs

Germination:7-12 days at 18-21 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. Upon emergence, provide a fine cover of vermiculite, sand or substrate.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 16 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. 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 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:2-3 weeks after sowing transplant 5-7 plants per pot (8-12 cm) and 3-4 plugs into a hanging basket (20-30 cm). For hanging basket production two time transplantation will support the young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. perlite, coconut fibres), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0. For hanging basket production the application of a slow release fertilizer is recommended.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. For the vegetative growth and for flowering Sanvitalia requires high light levels. For flowering pots and for hanging basket production in winter and in early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14 h) will improve the plant quality and decrease the cultivation time for 8-12 days. Avoid light deficiency, because light deficiency is a cause for shoot stretching.

Temperature:Grow at 12-16 °C. Higher temperatures are possible at high light intensity, too. Sanvitalia does tolerate temperatures below 8 °C for short time, but the growth is inhibited. To harden the plants for early selling temperatures can be decreased to 10-12 °C. Sanvitalia does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200-300 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Avoid pH above 6.0, as high pH causes iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron, if chlorosis becomes a problem. To prevent magnesium deficiency, apply magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate constant moist. Sanvitalia are sensitive to drying out and to over watering. Pinch the plant tops after 3rd leaf pair for a better branching and compact plant habit, but this will increase the cultivation time by 2 weeks.