Tithonia Fiesta Del Sol

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:75 cm,29,53 inch

Flower Size:7 cm,2,76 inch

Natural flowertime:June - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots: 12-15 weeks

Sell Period:May-August

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:182 K/g

Sowing Method:1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:5-8 days at 18-22 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. 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 moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 17-18 °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:4-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1-2 plants into a pot (10-13 cm) and 3-4 plants into a bigger pot (14-15 cm) or into a container (3-5 l).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 of a complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Temperature:Grow at 12-15 °C. Tithonia does not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C, even for short time and this can cause for red-brown or yellow leaves. Tithonia does tolerate high temperatures.

Fertilization:Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels.

Cultural Hints:Cultivate bright, cold and airy. Tithonia is sensitive to over watering (rotting of roots). Remove the faded flowers and avoid that seeds are formed for a better following flowering. Tithonia needs warm locations and it is extremely heat and drought tolerant.