Culture guide
Crop Time: Spring: 12-14 weeks
Height: 25cm
Exposure: Sun – Partial shade
Best Uses: Bedding, Rockery
Usage
Plants for the border and window boxes, pot and container plants, marsh plant
Sow time
February-May
Sowing method
1-2 seeds per plug
Germination
7-14 days at 65-68 °F (18-20 °C). Cover seed lightly after sowing. Maintain high, but not saturated soil moisture levels, and 95 % relative humidity levels.
Growing on
Transplant into pack or 4″ (10 cm) pots with media having 5.5 to 6.5 pH. Media should have good moisture holding capacity. Apply 100-150 ppm nitrogen weekly in a well-balanced formula.
Media
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1,5 kg/m³ of a complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5.
Temperature
Grow at 16-18 °C. The lower the cultivation temperature, the longer the cultivation time. In order to harden the plants for selling the temperature can be decreased to 12-14 °C. Melampodium does not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C.
Fertilization
Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium levels and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.
