Pot and bedding - Physostegia virginiana

Top Variety 2009
Physostegia virginiana
"Crystal Peak White"
Flowering period: May - July

Height 25 - 50 cm
Spread: 25 - 50 cm
Habit: Upright
Flower type: Spiked
Leaf Color Light Green
Placement: Full sun to partial shade
Water Average
Fertilizer need: Average
Plant type: Perennial

Class Top Variety 2009

PHYSOSTEGIA VIRGINIANA, OBEDIENT PLANT 'Crystal Peak White'

This Fleuroselect Gold Medal award winner is truly something special. Dense white flower spikes cover 'Crystal Peak White' throughout the summer, making this a versatile perennial for any garden setting. At 40 cm 16'' tall, 'Crystal Peak White' is an excellent perennial for mass plantings, or as a filler in mixed combination planters. Bright white flower spikes do not fade or brown as they age, setting 'Crystal Peak White' apart from its competition. A dense, well-branched habit produces a multitude of flower spikes, creating a must-have at retail.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Garden Height:   40 cm -   15,75 inch

Crop Time:   Plug crop (green) 5-6 weeks; flowering pots (from sow to flower): 16-18 weeks. Larger, overwintered plants flowering: 9-10 months

Seed Form:   Raw Seed

Seed Count:   0 K/g

Sowing Time:   December-March for flowering in pots from May-July. July-August for flowering in larger pots the following year

Sowing Method:   1-3 seeds per plug

Germination:   Stage I: 12-16 days at 18-22 °C 64-72 °F, Stages II-IV: 17-42 days at 15-18 °C 59-64 °F. Use media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-7.0. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Growing On:   5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-12 cm) 4'' and 2-3 plants into a 15 cm 6'' pot. For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. For overwintered plants use 3 plants in a 19 cm 8'' container for solitary plants.

Media:   Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1-3 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0.

Photoperiod / Light:   Long day plants. The long day (12-16 h) supports the flower initiation and flower development. In early spring additional assimilation light is required.

Temperature:   Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors with fleece cover.

Fertilization:   High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 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 130-150 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.

Cultural Hints:   'Crystal Peak' has been bred for first year flowering. Overwintering, however, leads to even more uniform flowering and higher floridity.

* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
Stage I: Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II: Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III: Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV: All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.

Hint:
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.