Solidago Golden Baby

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, North America

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:70 cm,27,56 inch

Natural flowertime:June - July

Crop Time:Plug crop: 7 weeks; Green pots: 10-12 weeks; Flowering pots: 14-16 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalisation full flowering; Cut flower production: 3-4 years

Sell Period:May-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:15385 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:5-10 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.2. 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 16-18 °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 ppm.

Growing On:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) and 1-3 plants into a bigger pot (11-15 cm) or container (3-10 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. For full flowering with an annual production transplant several plants into a pot. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 30-40 x 30-40 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 0-15 % clay, 10-15 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plants. Keep light level high. The long day (12-16 h) and high light intensity promote the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and in early spring (January-March) additional assimilation light is recommended.

Temperature:Grow at 12-18 °C or outdoors. Before flower initiation increase the temperature to 17-18 °C. High temperatures improve the quantity of the flowers. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. For wintering the roots development should be very good. In spring the plants start to grow for 6 weeks at 12-16 °C and afterwards increase the temperature to 17-18 °C for flower initiation. A chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is not required. Cultivation at warm temperatures requires high light levels.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). 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. In short day reduce the fertilization of 100-150 150 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. N min soil value: approximately 130 g/m2.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when 30 % of the flowers of the inflorescence are just open. Vase life: 8-10 days. Cold storage is possible. 100 % crop will not be achieved before the second year. Over the year harvest 20-25 stems per plant. The green stems can be use as ornamental leaves in floristic arrangements. For dried flower production stems can be harvested, when 100 % of the flowers are open.

Cultural Hints:Take care of a constant water and nutrition supply, because water deficiency can be a cause for short flower stems. At short day condition cultivate rather dry and reduce the fertilization. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations, because this decreases the risk of a Pythium fungi infection.