Teucrium Chamaedrys

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Lamiaceae, Mid-South Europe, West Asia

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:25 cm,9,84 inch

Natural flowertime:June - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8-10 weeks; Green pots: 16-20 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 months, including vernalization

Sell Period:May-October

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:667 K/g

Sowing Method:4-5 seeds per plug

Germination:35-42 days at 18-22 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.5. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil wet (relative humidity: 100 %). Avoid direct sunlight by shading seed after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 15-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,50 EC. Start fertilization at 50 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 per plug tray (4x4 cm). 5-6 weeks later transplant 3-5 plants into a pot (9-13 cm). For selling of green pot plants use 8-10 cm pots. Two time transplantation supports root development and young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres, sand, perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m3 of a complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m3 of a slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plants. The long day (14 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development, but the selling of plants with flowers is negligible. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light is recommended for a good plant quality. Cultivation at warm temperatures will require high light levels.

Temperature:Grow at 10-18 °C. Alternating temperatures promote the plant quality. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 12-15 °C will increase the cultivation time, but will promote a compact plant habit. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation. Keep cold temperatures for a good and compact growth and a good plant quality.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because high nitrogen level will make the plants soft and the shoots will be stretched and fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 80-100 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate constantly moist, but avoid wetness and drought stress.