Transcript Greenhouse summer and winter LISIANTHUS (EUSTOMA)

Greenhouse summer and winter
LISIANTHUS (EUSTOMA)
• Lovely product
• Not so easy to grow
• Competition on the
market
• Market prefers mostly
double varieties
• In Europe singles are
preferred by the
growers
LISIANTHUS
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Lisianthus can be grown throughout the year by using the correct varieties i.e. Slow growing
varieties for the summer and fast growing varieties for the winter. Mainly double flowering varieties
are grown.
Lisianthus require a good, well drained soil – can be sandy, and they require regular deep watering
and regular feeding. It is best to use overhead irrigation until buds are formed and then change over
to drip irrigation. Overhead irrigation cools off the plants during hot periods.
Lisianthus are grown from seeds. It is not advisable to try and grow the seedlings yourself because
they are very slow in the beginning. It takes between 10 to 14 weeks to produce a seedling from
sowing to planting out.
From planting out to flowering takes also 10 to 14 weeks depending on the time of the year.
In warm areas it is recommended to plant out seedlings from end of February till April for flowering
during the winter months when prices are usually at their best. Lisianthus can be grown as a single
stem plant or they can be pinched to form two to three stems per plant – this is the most used system
After flowering the plants can be cut back and re-started for a second flush of flowers. However the
second flush is usually not as good as the first one as far as the stem length is concerned. Also the
disease pressure is greater.
It is recommended that Lisianthus are grown on sterilized soil. Or crop rotation is essential.
Plant 48 plants per square meter
Plant every two to three weeks for continued production
Helianthus annuus- Sunflower
• This crop can be grown year round in the lowveld. Outside
during the summer and indoors during the winter.
• Crop time is about 70 to 90 days after sowing (depending
on the time of the year)
• Sow indoors from mid-April onwards on a weekly basis.
Plant 60 seeds per sq. meter which will result in a plant
density of about 48 per meter.
• Best recommended variety at present is Pro-cut orange.
One stem per seed
• Sunflowers are not gross feeders but require a well drained
soil
Greenhouse - summer crop
TRACHELIUM
• A typical summer crop
which requires long days
to flower.
• Plant in October to flower
about February/March
• A second flush can be
produced but then
additional lighting is
required
Trachelium
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Trachelium is a lovely filler and can be grown successfully during the summer
as it is a long day flowering plant. For Autumn, Winter and Spring flowering
additional lighting is required i.e. as used for Chrysanthemums.(16 hour light
per day)
Because Trachelium plants grow tall and are bushy, support nets are necessary.
Usually nets with 64 blacks per meter are used (Chrysanthemum nets).
Trachelium can produce a number of “flushes” if lighting is provided.
It is not often grown commercially because of growers preferring to grow
easier varieties.
Plant 24 plants per square meter and the crop time is about 12 weeks after
planting out.
Seedlings take 10 weeks to produce.
Greenhouse - summer crop
CELOSIA CRISTATA
• A quick crop
• Celosia cristata
Bombay Series is an
excellent cut flower
but the cost of seed is
too high
Indoor and Outdoor Summer crop
CELOSIA cristata
• Kurume or Chief
Series
• Quick to flower
• Needs regular
watering and feeding
• Also suitable for
greenhouse growing
Celosia cristata
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Celosia cristata has become a popular flower with florists because of their bright colours and
excellent vase life.
Celosia is an real summer flower and prefers higher temperatures, however in the Lowveld these
plants can be grown almost year round.
Celosia Bombay types are real upmarket flowers and fetch usually good prices. They are relatively
easy to grow and can either be sown direct into the beds or planted out as seedlings. Seeds are
available in pelleted form which make them easy to plant direct. Unfortunately the seed price does
not warrant planting these
Celosias are planted close together and produce a single stem per plant. 64 plants per sq.meter.
It takes 3 weeks to produce a seedling and after planting out another 12 weeks to flowering
In case of direct sowing the production time will also be about 12 weeks
Celosias are not gross feeders but they require a good well drained soil and regular watering
Celosia Kurume or Chief types are available in scarlet, orange and rose, there is also a yellowish one
but not recommended. Culture is the same as for Bombay types.
Plant or sow every two weeks
Kangaroo Paw – summer crop
ANIGOZANTHOS
• Greenhouse culture
• Australian native
• Can be grown from
seeds or tissue
cultured plants
• Must do a trial
planting
• If interested I will get
more details
Greenhouse & outdoor - winter
crop – Antirrhinum (Snapdragon
• Long strong stems
• Wide range of colours
• Plant from mid February
till May– flowers from
April till September
• Can also be grown
outdoors
• A second flush is possible
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
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Antirrhinum has become a popular and rewarding cut flower for late autumn, winter and spring
production Best time to plant is From mid-February till May
Snaps require a good well drained soil and good ventilation.
It is best to plant seedlings because the seeds of antirrhinum are very small and difficult to handle
There are various varieties available as well as colours and in general the variety “Rocket Series” is
used . It is the most economical to purchase as seedlings plus that it is a prolific producer of quality
flowers.
The best quality flowers are obtained during the cooler months of the year i.e. from April till August
As far as disease is concerned, rust gives the most problems but by keeping its foliage dry during the
night it is easily controlled. Drip irrigation is recommended.
Antirrhinum flowers must be transported upright in buckets or containers. When lying flat the tips of
the flowers curl up in search of light.
Plant 24 plants per square meters and pinch the plants about 3 to 4 week after planting out in order to
make them branch out and produce up to 5 stems per plant – a second flush follows.
It takes about 6 weeks to produce a seedling and thereafter 8 to 12 weeks to flowering
Greenhouse and outdoor winter
Matthiola (Stocks)
• Becoming popular
again
• Double flowers – best
prices
• Also produces singles
• Quick crop in the
greenhouse
Stocks – Matthiola incana
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Stocks are sweet scented flowers with a good vase life. Colours are from Carmine red,
Pink shades, white and creamy yellow as well as purple.
Modern varieties produce much larger flower spikes than the old types but
unfortunately all stocks produce about 50% double flowering plants and 50% single
flowering plants. This is a genetic fact. Breeders have however managed to produce
varieties which can be segregated by means of a temperature treatment which works
well overseas but is more difficult in warm climates
Stocks produce a single stem and plants are pulled out when harvested.
Seed germinates easily and can be sown direct where they are to flower, most growers
however plant out seedlings especially early in the season when it is still warm. Planting
time is from February till May thus giving a long production period.
Plant density is 64 to 80 plants per square meter. From sowing to seedling takes about
4 weeks and from planting out to flowering on average 10 to 12 weeks
An ideal flower for winter production in the Lowveld
Plant every three weeks for continuity
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PRODUCTION OF
CUT FLOWERS
• Summer and winter
varieties
• Best under 30 to 40%
shade net – protection
against heavy rain and hail
• Requires more insect and
disease control
• Requires more water and
does not produce the same
quality as those grown
indoors
Indoor and Outdoor – summer crop
CALLISTEPHUS - Asters
• Available in single and
double flowered
varieties
• Aster Single Rainbow
Upright Mixed
• Aster Matsumoto
Series – double
flowers
Aster(Annual) – Callistephus sinense
• Annual Asters are always popular and the Aster Single Rainbow
Upright Mixed can be grown year round. The double, aster Matsumoto
is very day length sensitive and requires additional lighting in order to
produce good stem length.
• In general asters can be sown direct but here again growers seem to
prefer to plant seedlings (plugs).
• A strict crop rotation program must be adhered to since they leave
some soil borne fungi in the soil.
• Plant 64 plants per square meter and each plant produces one stem.
• Cropping time from planting to harvest is about 90 days.
• Seedling (plug) production takes 3 weeks
• As mentioned Asters can be grown outdoors as well as indoors,
naturally the indoor grown crops are of a better quality.
• Plant or sown every three weeks to stay in production
Outdoor–summer or winter crop
CARTHAMUS
• Best variety –
Zanzibar Orange
• Easy to grow – large
seeds – plant direct in
flower beds
• Can be picked when
still green or when
showing flower tuft
Carthamus ( Annual)
• A very nice filler which can be grown year round, either
indoors or outdoor. Soil must be fertile and drain well
• Flowers last well and are popular for mixed bunches.
• Sow direct into flower beds as the seeds are big and easy to
sow. Plant 60 seeds per square meter.
• Harvest stems when the flower buds are properly formed
or a bit later when the small orange feathery plume
appears. These days the green bud option is more popular.
• When planted close together it produces a nice upright
stem – one stem per plant
Outdoor-summer or winter crop
CRASPEDIA GLOBOSA
• A crop which flowers
almost year round
• Can be marketed fresh
or dried
• Excellent filler
Craspedia globosa
• One can plant Craspedia once a year because the
plants will last at least 12 months and will produce
continuously those knobkierie-like flowers on tall
stems.
• Seedlings can be planted any time of the year and
Craspedia is mostly grown outdoors in the open
• Plant 24 plants per sq.meter and they do not like
too much water
Outdoor – summer crop
HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA
• Cocktail Series
• Produces long stems
with colourful buds
• Fairly new on the
market
Hibiscus sabdariffa
• An interesting crop. A tall growing plant with
straight upright stems. Round inflated fruits are
formed on the stem and when fully developed the
stems are cut and used in flower arrangements.
• Can be planted from September till February.
Cropping time about 4 months from sowing
• Cost 26 cents per seed. Seed are large enough to
plant direct where they are to grow.
• Plant 24 plants per meter (30seeds)
Outdoor – summer crop
LIATRIS SPICATA
• Forms a rhizome
which can be planted
the following season
• Seeds sown in
September will flower
in March/April.
• One stem per plant per
year
Liatris spicata
• Grown from seeds but forms a tuberous root which can be
used again the following season.
• Best time to sow is from April till May for transplanting
about June/July in frost free area. Flowering about 6
months after planting.
• When lifting the tuberous roots, these can be stored in a
cold room at -2 C for several months, just like they do with
lilies.
• Tubers can be taken out of cold storage and planted
regularly so that a constant supply of flowers is attained
during spring and summer
• Plant spacing 24 per meter
Outdoor - winter or summer crop
AMMI VISNAGA
• Excellent filler
• Can be grown almost
year round in most
areas with moderate
temperatures
• Tall growing- may
need support nets
Ammi visnaga (Lace Flower)
• Grows up to 150 cm tall and need support around
the beds. Can be grown outdoors in spring and
summer and in the greenhouse during the winter.
• The seeds are relatively fine and it will be best to
plant seedlings (plugs) which take about 4 weeks
to produce. Production from transplanting to
flowering will be about 10 to 12 weeks depending
on the time of the year
• Plant 36 plants per meter and each plant will
produce a number of stems
Outdoor – winter crop
BUPLEURUM GARIBALDI
• An excellent filler
• Also called “Cats Eyes)
• Must be sown direct
where they are to flower
• Needs cool soil to
germinate
Bupleurum Garibaldii or Griffitti
• This product is best planted as a seedling
because its seeds germinate erratic. Best
time to plant out is in March till May for
winter production.
• Grows relative easy and is better for
outdoor production
* Plant 24 plants per square meter
Outdoor – winter & spring crop
DELPHINIUM Belladonna types
• Delph. Bellamosum – dark
blue
• Delph. Belladonna – light
blue
• Delph. Casa Blanca –
white
• Plant seedlings in March
for winter and spring
production
• Will be too hot in the
lowveld summer
Delphinium belladonna types
• Delphinium are best grown outdoor and seedlings
should be planted from early March till end of
April. Plant density 24 per meter.
• It takes about 10 weeks to produce seedlings and
flowering will start about 90 days later
• Best colour is Bellamosum- dark blue, then
• Belladonna – light blue, and Casa Blanca-white
Colour ratio: 70% dark blue, 20% light blue and
10% white
Outdoor – winter & spring crop
DIANTHUS AMAZON SERIES
• Colours – Violet,
Crimson and bi-colour
• Plus new colours
coming soon
• F1 Hybrid vigour and
plants produce lots of
strong stems.
Dianthus Hybrids
• These “Sweet Williams” are best grown during the winter. They flower
profusely and each plant will produce up to 6 stems.
• Plant from March till May – crop time from 60 to 90 days after
planting.
• Plant 24 plants per square meter. They do not need support and
produce strong sturdy stems. Plant every four weeks for continuity.
• Colours: Violet, Cherry Red, Bicoloured, and new colours in scarlet,
orange and white.
• These plants can also produce a second flush of flowers but the size of
stems etc is not up standard. Could perhaps be used for the funeral
trade.
Outdoor – winter and summer
EUPHORBIA MARGINATA
• Also called Snow on
the Mountain
• Sow direct where they
are to flower
• Not so easy to
germinate but
otherwise easy to
grow
Euphorbia marginata
• A good filler but with the drawback of producing
“milk” which sometimes irritates people.
• Best sown direct where they are to flower and sow
fairly thickly as germination is sometimes erratic.
• Not withstanding the above negatives it is still a
useful filler.
• Sow 1 gram seeds per meter. Sow very three
weeks for continuity
Outdoor – winter & summer
MOLUCELLA- Bells of Ireland
• The long stems with
its green bells are
excellent fillers.
• Seeds can sometimes
germinate a bit
irregularly
Molucella (Bells of Ireland)
• Excellent filler
• Sow seeds direct where they are to flower or plant
seedlings. Seeds tend to germinate erratic.
• Plants 24 plants per meter and each plant will
produce several stems. Keep foliage dry as they
are susceptible to a leave rust.
• Preparing of flower stems takes some labour as the
leaves which grow between the calyx has to be
removed by hand. Still the price warrants this
operation.
Outdoor – winter and summer
ECHINACEA purpurea
• A perennial which is
grown as a filler.
• The centres are very
decorative when the
petals are removed.
• Expect about two
season’s production
out of one planting
Outdoor – winter crop
STATICE sinuatum
• Also called Limonium
sinuatum.
• Excellent filler which can
be used fresh or dried
• Available in mixtures or
separate colours- Dark
Blue, Light Blue,
Lavender, Yellow, Rose
White and Apricot shades
Statice sinuatum
• Statice are best supplied as seedlings in “200” trays. When
planted out early in the season i.e. early January, flowering
can be speeded up by placing the seedlings in the trays in a
cool room at 5 C for 6 weeks. This will induced earlier
flowering by 6 weeks. Untreated seedlings will flower
much later.
• If no cool treatment can be given then planting out in April
would be the best option
• It takes about 5 weeks to produce a seedling and flowering
will be about 12 to 16 weeks after planting, depending on
climate and night temperatures
• Can also be grown with good success in greenhouses