Snapdragon Forerunner Grower Fact

Snapdragon Forerunner

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Scrophulariaceae, North Africa, Mediterranean

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:100 cm£¬39,37 inch

Natural flowertime:June - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-7 weeks; Flowering pots (8-9 cm): 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots (12-15 cm): 12-14 weeks; Cut flower production: 12-18 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:5882 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 6-10 days at 18-24 ¡ãC; Stage II: 18-21 days at 18-21 ¡ãC; Stage III-IV: 15-17 ¡ãC in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Requires light for germination. Germination before end of February requires supplemental lighting (14 h). Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. 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 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:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot 8-10 cm and 3 plants into a bigger pot 11-15 cm. Plant cut flowers in 10x15 cm space.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % sand, 1,5-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8. Field: well-drained, moderate nutrition supply, humus, loamy soils. If necessary improve the soil with peat.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. Keep light levels high (30-60 klx). Low light levels support plant stretch, reduce flowering and increase crop time. The flowering is faster at long days (14-16 h). Cut flower production in winter and spring is only possible with additional assimilation light.

Temperature:Grow at 15 ¡ãC. When the roots are developed decrease the temperature to 8-10 ¡ãC. The temperature has be adapted to the light supply. At high light intensities supply Antirrhinum can be cultivated at high temperature and at low light supply the cultivation has to be at low temperature. High temperature cause weak stems. The CO2 fertilization stimulates the growth in winter and in spring.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. When the buds grow bigger, reduce or stop the fertilization.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 30 % of the flowers are open. Remove the bottom leafs and put the stems in water immediately. Vase life: 8-10 days. Cold storage is possible. Transport the stems upright, in order to avoid that the stems grow bended.

Cultural Hints:One week after transplanting remove the top for a better branching. Cut flowers: for better stem length and stem quality, break out lateral side shouts (One sprout cultivation).