Plant type:
AnnualUses:
Pot plant and gardenPlant Height:
15 – 20 cmSowing:
Sow September to overwinter frost free for May sales (in bud).Sow early January for flowering sales June onwards.
15 – 20
0C. Cover with an average layer of medium vermiculite.Germination in 2 - 3 weeks
Approximate crop timing (mid season)
Sowing to transplanting 4 weeks
Sowing to flowering 22 - 23 weeks (from January sowing)
Growing on:
Temperature Initially 16 – 18
0C dropping to 10 – 15 0C day and 5 – 7 0C night aftertransplants are established. Cool growing is essential to produce good basal branching and strong compact growth.
pH 5.5 - 6.0
Feeding Balanced 1:1:1 NPK feeding to start 5 weeks after potting, alternatively the use of a slow release fertiliser incorporated in the compost is popular Growth regulation The plants, once well established will respond to Chlormequat (Cycocel) 0.5 -1.0 ml/l) applied once or twice weekly. Stop 3 weeks prior to anticipated sales time.
Pot size 10 - 11 cm
Planting out spacing 20 cm.
Advice
As plants mature keep on the dry side. 15 0C night will develop flower budsCommon diseases Fusarium Wilt - yellowing of lower leaves
before wilting, soil borne.
Rust - Brown cracking on stems and leaves especially in high humidity.
Fusarium Root Rot - invades a wound especially at high temperatures. Often on
plants too deeply planted.
Any chemicals referred to should be used only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Technical and cultural details are written for gardeners and growers, they are not cut and dried and are for information purposes only. It is not intended as a blue print for growing. A guide for you to use and adjust the data to suit your growing conditions. All information is based on UK conditions and should be used for guidance only. No guarantee is given for the resultant crop, or liability accepted for using the information used on this website in any article web page or cd rom.