Erigeron Profusion

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Perennial

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, South-West Europe

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shades

Garden Height:25 cm,9,84 inch

Natural flowertime:June - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 12 weeks; Flowering hanging basket: 16 weeks

Sell Period:May-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:12987 K/g

Sowing Method:5-6 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot.

Germination:7 days at 15-18 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seed. 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 15 °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 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 3 plants per pot (8-9 cm) and 3-4 weeks later transplant 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm) and 2-3 plant into a hanging basket (20-25 cm). Two time transplantation support roots development and is recommended for big pot production and hanging basket production.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. perlite, coconut fibres), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 1-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5. For hanging basket production the application of a slow release fertilizer is recommended.

Photoperiod / Light:Long day plant. The long day (12-14 h) support the flower initiation and flower development. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light is recommended for big pot and hanging basket production.

Temperature:Grow at 10-15 °C. Two weeks after at transplantation the temperature should be decreased to 5-10 °C for 6-8 weeks. This promotes a compact plant growth and full flowering. Afterwards increase the temperature to 12-15 °C again. E. karvinskianus does tolerate not frost, but hardened plants does tolerate temperatures down to -4 °C.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:In winter and early spring supplement lighting for a good compact plant development is recommended. Light deficiency will stretch the shoots.