Scabiosa Pingpong

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Dipsacaceae, South Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:60 cm,23,62 inch

Flower Size:4 cm,1,57 inch

Natural flowertime:June - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 weeks; Cut flower production: 12-20 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:33 K/g

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug, sowing directly into field is recommended

Germination:10-12 days at 18-21 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Required 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. 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 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-2 plants into a pot (13-15 cm) and 2-3 plants into a container (3-5 l). Plant the cut flowers (frost free) in 20-30 x 30-35 cm space.

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

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. Keep cold temperatures for a compact plant habit. Scabiosa does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. When buds are visible, then reduce the fertilization and use a potassium fertilizer with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Field: If necessary according to analysis, fertilize the soil once again with 40 g/m2 of a potassium balanced fertilizer.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flower show color. Put the stems in warm water immediately. Vase life: 10-14 days. Cold storage is not recommended. S. stellata: Flowers for dried flower production can be harvested, when the seedpod is well ripe.

Cultural Hints:For cultivation allow for the pots/soils to dry thoroughly betweens irrigations. Avoid a high relative humidity in greenhouse (higher risk of Powdery Mildew) and overhead irrigations during the flowering.