Culture guide Matthiola

Plant material

Stocks are sown and cultivated in a 600 cell tray with loosely filled plugs. After selection, this tray is reduced to 450 plants per tray. In winter, the plant size is between 3.5 and 4.5cm; in summer, this is 2.5 to 3.5cm. The overall plant density for both illuminated cultivation as well as cultivation without extra light is 70 plants per gross m². During the winter period, a plant density of 65 plants per m² is advised forcultivation without extra light. The use of supporting material is strongly recommended.

Production

Stocks can be grown at temperatures of between 6 and 20 degrees. Higher temperatures are not tolerated very well and a daily temperature of over 18 degrees centigrade may delay bud initiation.

Steaming is not necessary before the 1stcycle when the soil is free of weeds. When stocks are grownin successive batches, it is advisable to steam between crops. Root problems may arise as early as the 2ndcultivation cycle.

  • Without extra light, planting is possible from week 50 until 19; near the coast, where the temperatures are lower, planting can continue for a longer period.
  • When using 4,000 lux assimilation lights, planting can start in week 46.
  • When cultivating using a minimum of 6,000 lux, planting can start in week 42.

Planting

It is important to prepare the soil properly. Matthiola is susceptible to bad drainage and if there is a hard layer in the subsoil, it is necessary to dig or turn the soil before steaming. After planting, treatment against Rizoctonia, Pythium and Fusarium is advisable. During cultivation, regular spraying against downy mildew is required.

Climate

Without extra light, one may choose to grow as cool as possible; frost-free, using a minimum of energy. This way, the harvest won’t be until week 15 and several planting weeks will be ready for harvest at the same time, which will result in a peak in labour. The windows are set to 2ºC above net heating values, with a minimum opening until the frost setting.

For somewhat spreading cultivation without extra light, one needs to maintain a heating temperature of 10ºC during the night and 12ºC during the day. When an energy screen is used, this should not fully close until atmospheric humidity remains under 85%.

When using 3,000 to 5,000 lux in extra light, the illumination should last for 14 hours right from the start; towards the end of cultivation this may be increased. When using extra light, the heating temperature has to be kept at 16 to 18ºC during the day and 14ºC during the night. When growing with a minimum window setting, the windows have to be set to 2ºC degrees above the heating temperature. If the screens have to be shut during illumination, the windows will need to be opened slightly further during this period. Illuminated cultivation at 5,000 lux and over is started at 5,000 lux for a period of 14 hours. After 4 to 5 weeks this is increased, allowing for more speed and for growing an even more uniform crop.

Watering

If possible, the soil should be moistened prior to planting. On clay soils, watering is only possible after planting. A few days after planting, one has to make sure that the soil at two spades deep is sufficiently moist. This goes for all soil types. The number of litres required to achieve this varies per soil type. During the first weeks, it is necessary to ensure that the small root ball doesn’t dry out, thus improving the plant uniformity. When cultivating without extra light, only minimal watering is required over the winter months.

When cultivating with illumination, watering is easier and can be more during the winter months. The plant will root sooner because there is more activity.

Apical damage – Unwanted bushy growth without flower stems

Just before buds are formed, there is the a maximum chance of bushy growth without flower stems. Most likely, this can be blamed on the climate. In order to discourage apical damage, there should be more activity during the morning. This can be achieved by minimum pipe temperature or minimum air circulation. If the root pressure is high, it is possible to use a bit of a draught for more activity. Once the atmospheric humidity goes down in the morning, the side facing the wind needs to be closedagain.

Nutrition

It is important to have soil samples taken on a regular basis. During the first period of cultivation, the plant will need more nitrogen. During the second part of cultivation, potassium and magnesium need to be monitored more carefully.

Harvest

The flower spike has to measure 12-15 cm and bear 3-5 mature flowers. Harvesting less developed flower stems will have a negative effect on their shelf life.

Diseases / Control using
Rizoctonia solani / Spraying with Rizolex after planting
Downy mildew / Regular spraying with Ridomil Gold, Aliette or Daconil
Fusarium / Topsin
Botrytis / Rovral
Pests / Control using
Aphids / Admire, Decis, Pirimor
Miners / Vertimec, Decis, Conserve
Caterpillars / Conserve, Runner, Nomolt

Cultivation period

Plant week / Harvest week / Plant week / Harvest week
Cold cultivation / 50 / 15- 16 / 7 / 19
Heated / 50 / 12-14 / 7 / 18
Illuminated3,000 to 5,000 lux / 46 / 5-6 / 6 / 16
Illuminated5,000 to 10,000 lux / 44 / 1 / 3 / 12

The guidelines in this culture guide are entirely without obligations. Subject to weather conditions and greenhouse layout, the cultivation periods as mentioned may vary. When applying crop protection, always follow the instructions as provided by the supplier in question. Florensis Cut Flowers cannot be held responsible for any possible damage as a result of the information as provided in this culture guide.

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