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easy grow guide lobelia zuni (Lobelia fulgens)
Plug Production: 288 plugs or larger sizes with 3-5 seeds per cell.
Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat-based plug medium with pH 5.8-6.5, EC <0.75 mmhos, cover lightly with vermiculite as light is required for germination. N.B. For best results, we recommend short days (10 hours or less) during plug production. If sowing in January/February for late spring/early summer flowering, we recommend sowing 1 seed per cell. If sowing when day length is 13 hours or longer, we recommend sowing 3-5 seeds per cell as plants will not form a dense crown under long days, as the flowering mechanism is triggered. Short day conditions can be provided artificially using the black cloth method if required. Sowings in July/August under natural conditions, will flower the following spring. Keep medium uniformly moist, not saturated. Media temperature should be 68-72°F (20-22°C) with high humidity, light is required for germination but covering lightly with vermiculite is recommended to maintain moisture levels. Maintain moisture and humidity levels once germination begins, misting as needed. Media and air temperature should be kept 68-72°F (20-22°C). Maintain medium to high media moisture levels, misting as needed to maintain humidity levels of around 70%. Begin to fertilize with 50-75ppm N from a balanced fertilizer, keeping EC levels <0.75 mmhos. Light levels should be 2000-2500 f.c. using supplementary lighting if necessary. Media temperature should be lowered to 65-68°F (18-20°C). Keep media uniformly moist during stage 3. Maintain light levels at 2000-2500 f.c. Fertilize as required with 100-150ppm N from a balanced fertilizer, keeping EC levels at 1.0 mmhos. pH levels should be between 5.8 and 6.5. If growth control is needed, a spray of B-Nine (1500ppm) is effective, but due to the slow growing nature of this species, this shouldn’t be required. Media temperature can be lowered to 60-65°F (16-18°C). Media can be allowed to dry back until it is dry on the surface and is light brown in colour, before irrigating again, but always avoid wilting. Light levels can be increased to 4000-5000 f.c. Fertilize as per stage 3. Growth control as per stage 3 if needed.
Sowing/Media:
Germination Stage 1: (5-7 days)
Germination Stage 2:
Germination Stage 3:
Germination Stage 4:
Growing on to Finish: 4 ” (10.5cm) – 8” ( 19cm) pots
Use a well-drained, disease free, peat-based growing mix with a pH 5.8-6.5 and EC 1-1.25 mmhos. Good drainage is important even though Zuni prefers constant media moisture. Day temperatures should be 65-68°F (18-20°C), Night temperatures should be 60-65°F (15-18°C). Zuni can be grown at cooler temperatures, but this will increase crop time. Keep light levels as high as possible. HID lights can be used if natural light levels are poor. Longer days (13 hours or more) can be provided after transplant, to promote faster flowering, if natural day length is shorter than 13 hours. Maintain good, even media moisture at all times avoiding extremes, as too wet can cause root disease and algae growth on the surface of the media. It is important to avoid wilting too. Lobelia fulgens is naturally found in wet areas such as streambanks. Feed moderately with 150-200ppm N from a balanced fertilizer. Controlled release fertilizers are a good option. Keep media pH 5.8-6.5, EC 1.0-1.5 mmhos Sprays of B-Nine (1500-2500ppm) or Bonzi (30ppm) can be used to control height if needed, but good control can be achieved by growing cooler, with high light levels.
Media:
Temperatures:
Light:
Irrigation:
Fertilizer:
Growth Regulators:
Pests:
Spider mites, Thrips, Aphids, Leafminer. Slugs can be an issue due to the constant moisture levels
Pythium, Phytophthora and other crown/root rot diseases can be an issue if grown too wet. Very susceptible to INSV which is transmitted by Thrips and causes irreparable damage, so it is important to control Thrips effectively to prevent infection.
Diseases:
Plug Times:
288 Plug:
8-10 weeks from sowing to transplant
Large Plug (104 or similar) with 3-5 seeds per cell:
8-10 weeks from sowing to transplant
Transplant to Finish: (based on Jan/Feb sowing in natural conditions, as an annual) Container Plants/Container Transplant to Finish Total Crop Time 4 ” (1 0.5cm): 1 x plug 12-15 weeks 20-25 weeks 6 ” (15cm): 2-3 x plug 12-15 weeks 20-25 weeks
www.floranova.com Crop times are based on UK trials in optimum conditions. Alternative environmental conditions and cultural regimes can alter the crop times stated above.
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