Schizanthus Starparade

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle: Annual

Familiy, Origin:Solanaceae, Chile

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:20 cm,7,87 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 9-10 weeks; Flowering pots: Production for bedding plants: 8-9 weeks Production for pot plants (indoor): 16-20 weeks

Sell Period:pot plants: April-May; bedding plants: May-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1825 K/g

Sowing Method:3-5 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into pots or packs

Germination:7-14 days at 16-22 °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 moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 14-16 °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:4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (7-12 cm). For late date of sowing transplant 3-5 plants in a pot.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:Optional long day plant. For the vegetative growth and flowering high light levels are required for Schizanthus. For flowering pot production in winter and in early spring additional assimilation light (32-65 klx) and long day (12-14 h) will improve the plant quality and decrease the cultivation time. Avoid light deficiency, because light deficiency is a cause for shoot stretching.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 °C. When the roots are developed, the temperature can be decreased slowly to 8-10 °C. Low temperatures promote compact plant growth, but the cultivation time is increased (8 °C approx. 160 days and 16 °C approx. 90 days). Avoid very high temperatures, because the shoots will stretch and the plant quality will increase. Schizanthus does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Change the fertilizer 4-6 weeks before flowering and use a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, but avoid nutrition deficiency, too.

Cultural Hints:Do not cultivate the plants too wet or too dry. Drought stress can be a cause for yellow leaves. Don't produce too close and provide good ventilation, in order to avoid fungi infection and because the plant quality is improving with larger distance between pots. Avoid over head irrigation.