Senecio New Look

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mediterranean

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm,11,81 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Green pots: 8-11 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:May-August

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1429 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:3-10 days at 22-24 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. 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 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-10 cm) or pack.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Keep light level high.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C. When the roots are developed, the temperature can be decreased slowly to 10-16 °C. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C. In spring the plants start to grow at 10-18 °C. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation. Senecio does tolerate moderate frost temperatures.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Very high nitrogen levels in substrate can cause shoot stretching and the shoots fall apart. 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 the plant quality is improving with larger distance between pots. Cultivate rather dry. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrates. Avoid over head irrigation, in order to avoid fungi infection of the leaves and check regularly the leaves for Alternaria infection.