Solanum Joker

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Solanaceae, Island Madeira

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:25 cm, 9,84 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots with fruits (small): 24-28 weeks; Flowering pots with fruits (large): 28-32 weeks

Sell Period:August-December

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:252 K/g

Sowing Time:December-March for selling with ornamental fruits from August onwards

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:14-21 days at 22-25 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 20-22 °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 up to 200-250 ppm.

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (4x4 cm) and 5-6 weeks later transplant 1-2 plants into a pot (10-11 cm) and 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (12-13 cm). Two time transplantation will support the young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.

Photoperiod/ Light:Long day plant. Keep light level high. For flowering pots production in winter and in early spring additional assimilation light and long day (14 h) is recommended for flower initiation, fruit development and plant quality. Cultivate the plants as luminously as possible. Light deficiency supports the stretching of shoots. The best plant quality can be achieved by production from summer to autumn outdoors.

Temperature:Grow at 18-20 °C or outdoors. When the roots are developed the temperatures can be decreased to 15-18 °C. For coloring of fruits the temperature can be decreased as well. Solanum does tolerate temperatures down to 10 °C, but no frost. In summer and autumn an outdoor cultivation is favourable for the pollination and fruit development than cultivation in greenhouse. Protect the plants in autumn outdoors against cold night temperatures below 10 °C.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 250-300 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. 4-6 weeks before flowering using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and reduce the fertilization (100-150 ppm nitrogen). High nutrition levels in substrate inhibit the flower initiation, the flower development and the fruit development. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Low temperatures and wet substrate are causes for iron deficiency. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly. Take into consideration that outdoors nutrition might be washed out due to rainfall.

Cultural Hints:Dry, light and airy cultivation. After planting treat substrate and soil with fungicide against Botrytis. Dropping off of leaves during cultivation will increase dramatically, if the substrate is too dry or too wet. Light deficiency or a distance between the plants that is too close are causes for dropping off the leaves, too. Indoor forcing: For a good pollination in greenhouse the plants should by manually shaken or the air should be circulated with ventilators during flowering. Outdoors forcing: Protect the plants during flowering and fruit development against long rain falls by flees or foiltunnel. Avoid that the plants grow into the soil underground, because elsewise the growth of shoots is not controllable.