Silene Schafta

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Caryophyllaceae, Caucasus

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:20 cm,7,87 inch

Natural flowertime:August - September

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:June-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:2959 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug, sowing directly into final pots is recommended

Germination:14-21 days at 20-25 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. 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 0,5 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:4-5 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot (8-10 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or 3-5 plants into a container (3-5 l).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. wood fibres, bark, perlite) 1-1,5 kg/m3 of a complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 of a slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. For flowering pot production in winter and in early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14-16 h) is recommended. Light deficiency supports the stretching of the shoots.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow for 14-16 weeks at 15-18 °C and long day. Cold temperatures of 10-15 °C improve the compact plant growth, but will increase the cultivation time by 2-3 weeks. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. 4 weeks before selling change the fertilization and use a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate rather dry and avoid over watering. The roots are sensitive to wetness and drought stress.