Scabiosa Fama

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial, first year flowering, FastraX Perennial

Sitelocation:Full sun-partial shade

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks, Flowering pots: 15-20 weeks, Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including over wintering, Cut flower production: 3 years

Seed Form:Coated and raw Seed

Seed Count:0 K/g

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 10-18 days at 18-21 °C, Stage II-IV: 16-18 °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. 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:5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (13-15 cm) or 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant cut flowers in 35-40 x 25-40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate, 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. High light levels improve the flower initiation and the plant quality. 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. Overwinter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. 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.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when buds show colour. 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. Yield: 15-25 stems/plant in first year; up to 40 stems/plant during 2 consecutive years.

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.