2009
Gaillardia aristata
"Arizona Sun"
Flowering period: June - September
Height 25 - 50 cm
Spread: 25 - 50 cm
Habit: Spherical
Flower type: Simple
Leaf Color Light Green
Placement: Sun
Water Medium to low
Fertilizer need: Medium to low
Plant type: Perennial
Class Best seller 2009
GAILLARDIA X GRANDIFLORA (ARISTATA), BLANKET FLOWER 'Arizona Sun'
Like the bright sun that paints the skies of North America's desert southwest, Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' blankets the garden with bright yellow and red flowers. Thriving in hot sun, 'Arizona Sun' shines in the harshest of locations.
'Arizona Sun' begins blooming earlier than other Gaillardias and continues well into the fall. As a FastraX Perennial, 'Arizona Sun' requires no vernalization to flower the first year.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle: Perennial / first year flowering
Familiy, Origin: Asteraceae, North America
Sitelocation: Full sun
Garden Height: 30 cm 11,81 inch
Flower Size: 10 cm 3,94 inch
Natural flowertime: May - September
Crop Time: Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 5-7 weeks Flowering pots: 12-15 weeks, annual production is possible; Cut flower production: 2 years
Sell Period: July-October
Seed Form: Raw Seed
Seed Count: 400 K/g
Sowing Time: Indoor forcing: JanuaryFebruary for flowering in pots from May onwards; Outdoor forcing: Mid April for flowering into field from July onwards
Sowing Method: 1-3 seeds per plug, sowing directly into final pot or field is possible
Germination: 10-14 days at 21-24 °C, in media with slow low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seed. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing. In the field sowings need to be covered by light transparent fleece or foil to avoid drying out.
Plug Culture: From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 18-20 °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 to 150 ppm.
Growing On: 3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into pot (10-15 cm) or into container (3-5 l). For flowering production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality.
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: 5.5-5.8. Field: humus, loamy, sandy soils with a good drainage. Standard fertilization: 50-80 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer.
Photoperiod / Light: Long day plants. The long day (12-16 h) supports the flower initiation while the short day supports the vegetative growth. In the early weeks of vegetative growth cultivate in short day (10-12 h) until the plants have developed good leaves. Later cultivate in long day (14-16 h) with high light intensity (20-30 klx) for flower development. Night interruption is possible. In winter additional assimilation light is required. Warm cultivation temperatures require high light intensity in short day as well as in long day for a good plant quality. Light deficiency can cause poor growth.
Temperature: Grow at 12-20 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. For wintering the root development in pots should be very good and the plants should be have 16 leaves. 'Arizona Sun': a chilling period (vernalization) for flower initiation is not required.
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 a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen levels, because high nitrogen levels are a cause for the shoots fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize with 130-150 ppm nitrogen using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). In long day fertilize with 130-150 ppm nitrogen using 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. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 50-80 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer per year, applied in several portions.
Cultural Hints: Pinching the tops is not required. Cut flower production plant in well-drained, warm and sunny locations.
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.
Instructions
http://www.benary.com/data/documents/Instructions1.pdf
FastraX Folder International
http://www.benary.com/index.cfm/startid/153.html
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