Aster Fan Mix Flower Seeds

Culture guide

Usage

Plants for the border, pot and container plants, plants for patio and window boxes, cut flowers

Sow time

January for flowering in May (artificial long days); May for flowering in September (natural day length); July for flowering in January (artificial long days)

Sowing method

3-5 seeds per plug, sowing in final pots is possible

Germination

10-12 days at 68-70 °F (20-21 °C), cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. To prevent premature flowering, keep plants vegetative with a four hour night interruption

Growing on

Transplant plugs after 3-4 weeks. Grow on at 58-60 °F (14-16 °C). Cool temperatures promote a good plant habit, but may delay flowering.

Media

Media:
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 6.0-6.5. Use a sterile medium and sterile pots/containers as preventative measures against Fusarium and Verticillium. Field: sandy loamy soils with good drainage and moderate nutrition levels. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² slow release fertilizer. Disinfect the soils in greenhouse before planting.

Temperature

Grow at 12-15 °C. Callistephus do not grow temperatures below 8 °C and do not tolerate frost. The lower the temperature, the better the plant habit but onset of flowering will be a little delayed. Lower temperatures combined with short days cause the development of a leaf rosette and short stems.

Fertilization

Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K₂O-ratio: 1:1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. High nitrogen levels will cause smooth stems. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.
Field: N min soil value: approximately 150 g/m².