Scabiosa Compliment

Life Cycle:Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:Dipsacaceae, Caucasus

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:60 cm,23,62 inch

Natural flowertime:June - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 12-16 weeks; Flowering pots: 20-24 weeks (limited flowering), Flowering pots: 10-12 months including wintering (full flowering); Cut flower production: 3 years

Sell Period:August-November

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:75 K/g

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug

Germination:10-18 days at 18-21 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. 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 16-18 °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 to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:2-3 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (13-15 cm) and 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant cut flowers in 35-40 x 35-40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1,5-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage and good nutrition levels. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. Keep light level high, because high light levels improve the flower initiation and the plant quality. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light (43-65 klx) is required for pot plant and cut flower production. Cultivation at warm temperatures requires high light levels. At short day conditions the shoots remain compact and at long day condition the shoots are stretched. For a compact plant habit keep short day conditions with high light intensity during the vegetative growth and afterwards turn to long day conditions with high light intensity for flowering.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-10 will increase the cultivation time. If cultivated at low light levels, the temperature should be cool for good stem quality. A chilling period (vernalization) is not required for flower initiation, but this will improve uniformity and the quantity of the flowering.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. When buds are visible, then reduce the fertilization and use a potassium fertilizer with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. N min soil value: approximately 130 g N/m2.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flower show color. Put the stems in warm water immediately. Vase life: 8-10 days. Cold storage is not recommended. Avoid the formation of seedpods in order to encourage the following flowering. Over the year harvest 20 stems per plant.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates/soils. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. High temperature difference between day and night can be a cause for delayed and decreased flowering.