Saponaria Ocymoides

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Caryophyllaceae, Italy

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:18 cm,7,09 inch

Natural flowertime:June - July

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

Sell Period:April-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:485 K/g

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

Germination:10 days at 18-22 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. When the seeds do not germinate, treat the seeds by cooling for 4-6 weeks at 0-4 °C (cold storage-room). Cultivate the following week at 10 °C and later at temperatures of 15-18 °C.

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 0,5 EC. Start fertilization at 50 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 1-2 plants into a pack or pot (7-9 cm) and 3-5 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark) 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. For flowering pot production in winter (from CW 51 earliest) and in early spring additional assimilation light is recommended.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. For wintering the root should be well developed in the pots. In spring the plants start to grow indoors at end December for 8 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-12 °C will increase the cultivation time.

Fertilization:Low 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 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry and avoid over watering. The roots are sensitive to wet substrates.