Senecio Erfurt Dwarf Palette

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Canary Islands

Sitelocation:Partial shade

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks Flowering pots (small): 20-24 weeks, including vernalization Flowering pots (large): 28-32 weeks, including vernalization

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:0 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:5-10 days at 22-24 °C in media with very 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 18-20 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 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:4-6 weeks after germination transplant 1 plant into a pot (7-12 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (12-15 cm). For late sowing and large pots production transplant several plants into a pot.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:day length neutral plants. Supplemental lighting (1000-4500 lx) and long day starting in 4 th -6th of the chilling period during the bud stage is recommended. Night interruption (4 h) is possible. If cultivated at high temperatures, supplemental lighting and long day will be required for short stems and a good plant quality. In summer protect the plants against high sunlight intensity by shading.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 °C. When the roots are developed the temperatures can be decreased slowly to 10-16 °C. For flower initiation a chilling period (vernalization) of 4 weeks at 6-8 °C or for 6-8 weeks at 8-12 °C are required. Before the chilling period can start, the plants should have at least a diameter of 8-10 cm. The shorter the time between sowing and chilling period, the smaller are the plants. The longer the chilling period, the smaller are the plants and the larger is the inflorescences. After the chilling period the temperatures should be increased to 12-15 °C for 6-8 weeks for flower development. Lower temperatures result in a later opening of the flowers, thus allowing the producer to offer S. cruentus for a longer period of time. The storage of flowering plants at 3-5 °C is possible. S. cruentus does tolerate temperatures of 3-20 °C, but no frost.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 200-250 ppm nitrogen, using complete balanced fertilizer. In winter reduce the fertilization of 100-150 ppm nitrogen and change the fertilizer in spring. In spring use a potassium balanced fertilizer with 200-250 ppm nitrogen. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Take care of the micro nutrition supply. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints: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 the pots. Cultivate rather dry, but avoid drought stress. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates. Drought stress can be a cause for yellow leaves and for leaves dropping off. Avoid over head irrigation. Pinching of the plants tops is not required.