Pot and bedding - Delphinium grandiflorum

Best seller 2009
Delphinium grandiflorum
"Summer Nights"
Flowering period: June - September

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

Class Best seller 2009

DELPHINIUM GRANDIFLORUM, CHINESE DELPHINIUM, LARKSPUR 'Summer Nights'

profusely branching genetically compact dwarf larkspur with masses of flowers in attractive colers. The 'Summer' series is earlier to flower with better heat tolerance than other delphiniums of this type. All colors do not require vernalisation and can be grown as annuals. Ideal bedding or in gardeniers.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:   Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:   Ranunculaceae, China, East Siberia

Sitelocation:   Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:   30 cm     11,81 inch

Flower Size:   3,5 cm     1,38 inch

Natural flowertime:   June - September

Crop Time:   Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 12-14 weeks; Flowering pots (from sowing to fl ower): 16-20 weeks

Sell Period:   April-May or August-October

Seed Form:   Raw Seed

Seed Count:   800 K/g

Sowing Time:   December-May

Sowing Method:   2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:   Stage I: 14-18 days at 20-22 °C; Stage II: 15-20 days at 17-20 °C, Stages III+IV: 20-25 days at 13-17 °C in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite or sand after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:   From Stage II reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out.

Growing On:   6-9 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-10 cm) and 3 plants into a bigger pot (13-15 cm). Transplant the plug not too deep in substrate.

Media:   Use a well-drained media, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:   Day length neutral plant. In early spring additional assimilation light combined with long day (14 h) will improve the plant quality and will decrease the cultivation time by 2-3 weeks.

Temperature:   Grow at 13-16 °C or outdoors.

Fertilization:   Moderate fertilization levels are required.

Cultural Hints:   Temperatures above 29 °C can cause fl ower abortion. Temperatures below 13 °C under short days will cause plants to form rosettes and delay flowering.

* 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.

Instructions
http://www.benary.com/data/documents/Instructions1.pdf

FastraX Folder International
http://www.benary.com/index.cfm/startid/153.html