Pot and bedding - Scabiosa japonica

Best seller 2009
Scabiosa japonica
"var alpina Ritz blue"
Flowering period: June - September

Height < 25 cm
Spread: < 25 cm
Habit: Spherical
Flower type: Double
Size: 3 - 5 cm
Leaf Color Light Green
Placement: Full sun to partial shade
Water Medium to low
Fertilizer need: Medium to low
Typical use Pot and bedding
Plant type: Perennial

Class Best seller 2009

SCABIOSA JAPONICA VAR. ALPINA, SCABIOSA 'Ritz Blue'

When the garden requires a touch of class, nothing shows more grace and elegance than Scabiosa 'Ritz Blue'. Delicate sky blue pincushion flowers abound above the glossy green leaves througout the summer. 6-8" (15-20 cm) tall, 'Ritz Blue' makes an excellent border plant or specimen in the front of the perennial garden. 'Ritz Blue' is a perfect item for container gardens and patio planters. Grower friendly, 'Ritz Blue' is easy to produce and requires no growth regulators for height control.
Its compact size requires less bench space in the greenhouse and space for shipping. Combine 'Ritz Blue' with Lobelia 'Fan Deep Rose' and Silene 'Robin White Breast' for a classy combination.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:   Perennial / first year flowering

Familiy, Origin:   Dipsacaceae, Japan

Sitelocation:   Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:   18 cm     7,09 inch

Natural flowertime:   June - September

Crop Time:   Plug crop: 6 weeks; Green pots: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots: 9-13 weeks, annual production is possible; Flowering pots: 8-10 months, including wintering

Sell Period:   May-October

Seed Form:   Raw Seed

Seed Count:   626 K/g

Sowing Time:   January-March for flowering in pots from June onwards; June-August for flowering in pots the following year

Sowing Method:   1-2 seeds per plug

Germination:   Stage I: 10-12 days at 18-21 °C; Stage II, III and IV: 10-12 days at 16-18 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.5. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. 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. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:   2-3 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (13 cm).

Media:   Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. bark, perlite, sand), 1,5-3 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.

Photoperiod / Light:   Day length neutral plant. Keep light level high, because high light levels improve the flower initiation and the plant quality. In winter and early spring additional assimilation light (43-65 klx) is required for pot plant and cut flower production. For cultivation at warm temperatures high light levels are required. At short day condition the shoots remain compact and at long day condition the shorts are stretched. Keep short day condition with high light intensity during vegetative growth for a compact plant habit and afterwards turn to long day with high light intensity for flowering.

Temperature:   Grow at 12-15 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. In spring the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures at 8-10 °C will increase the cultivation time. If cultivated at low light levels, the temperature should be cool for good stem quality. A chilling period (vernalization) is not required for flower initiation.

Fertilization:   Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 130-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels are the cause that shots are stretched and the plants fall apart. Don't fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 130-150 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.

Cultural Hints:   Dry, light and airy cultivation. The roots are very sensitive to wet substrate/soils. For cultivation allow for the pots to dry thoroughly between irrigations. For early forcing in spring supplemental lighting is required for a good plant quality.

* 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