Plant Information
This is a guide only to assist farmers with ideal high level growing information from Ball Australia
Ranunculus Cultural Guide
Elegance line of buttercups includes heritage with a variety of colours that include pastel-coloured ranges featuring soft and delicate contrasts. Genetic improvement through the traditional interbreeding process, has achieved flowers featuring a large-sized corolla and a circle of homogeneously structured petals. A history of years of research has led this collection to consist of varieties that are particularly highly appreciated and consolidated on the market. This line presents different varieties with some common characteristics such as early production, large-sized flowers, high productivity, strength of the plants, straight and long stems a very high general quality standards. In practice they suit all sorts of climatic conditions and different growing techniques. The flowers will bloom after about 8 weeks in a temperate climate, taking longer, even up to 16 weeks in cooler climates. Already after three months it is possible to enjoy flowering of up to 4 flowers on each plant,reaching 12 flowers in 6 months. The flowers of this buttercup love to bloom with the strongest light and to open in the early hours of the evening. It is suggested to wait for this process to take place twice running so as to increase the quality and the size of each flower. It is advisable to cut the flowers early in the morning.
CROP TIME: Allow 8 to 16 weeks from plug to flower. dependant of climate
PLANTING DENSITY: One plant per 15 x 20cm netting square.
PRE-PLANTING:
• MEDIA: Select a porous media that drains well. This is important during the cool season when temperatures and light levels are low, and media is slow to dry.
• pH: 5.8 to 6.0
TEMPERATURES: 14°-16°C 2-3 weeks, until the roots have reached the edges of pots. Once established lower temperature to 10°-13°C.
FERTILISATION: 14-4-14
or 17-5-17 at 100-150 ppm to maintain an EC of 1.25-1.75. Provide 10-15 ppm phosphorus.
LIGHTNING: Ranunculus initiates the highest flower count and the best growth under the natural days for spring production. Daylength extension in combination with high light will promote earlier flowering.
PINCHING: Plants are ready for pinch about 3 weeks
after planting. This results in well established plants, many shoots and good quality of flowering branches right from the start.
HARVEST: Harvesting is done with 2-3 whorls open- not completely open flowers.
Anemone Cultural Guide
The plants of the Mistral line are the result of a selection featuring special colours. Flowering takes place early on the average, with high productivity and a cycle varying from 3 months, starting with 3 to 5 flowers, reaching its maximum of 15 flowers in 8 to 12 months. It is suggested that the flowers should be cut early in the morning, checking that the stem and the corolla of petals of each flower are well formed.
CROP TIME: From plug to flower is approximately 12-14 weeks.
PLANTING DENSITY: 2-4 plants per 15 x 20cm netting square.
PRE-PLANTING:
• SOIL: Respond best in a soil with good fertility, high organic matter, and excellent drainage •pH:6.0to7.0
• Protection from wind, and ideally, some shade.
• NETTING: Netting size 15 x 20cm.
• IRRIGATION: Water frequently to maintain adequate and uniform soil moisture. Drip irrigation is best.
• FERTILISATION: Basic production requires a soluble fertiliser with a 2:1:2 (N:P:K) ratio such as a 20-10-20 at 100-200 ppm N. The fertiliser should be applied at every irrigation (fertigation). EC readings for soluble salt levels should not exceed 2.0 mmhos/ cm (ds/m).
• HARVEST: Anemones should be harvested when flowers have just started to open. Harvest when the petals begin to separate from the center of the flower, but are not all the way open. If cut flowers are transferred between containers of water, re-cut the stem, preferably with an underwater cutter.
• POST HARVEST: Flowers
are sensitive to ethylene
gas, which will shorten vase life. Anemones should not
be mixed with narcissus
stems because exudate from narcissus causes limp stems in anemones.
Lisianthus growing notes
We love this flower because it has a long vase life. It holds well out of water, making it a top choice for installations and corsages. The shape resembles a rose. In field you don't need to pick straight away making it easier to time harvesting and usage.
On the flip side she is hard to start from seed and doesn't like the heat especially in the first few weeks of planting.
They can be overwintered but root rot (Fusarium) can be a problem. The best time to plant plugs is 6- 8 weeks if planting in a tunnel or 2 - 4 weeks before the last frost if field planting. Plants/plugs require 2-3 weeks of cool soil and shade at time of transplant to avoid rosetting.
Each variety has different groups I, II, III, IV with different heat and light requirements. Below provides a guideline only and your specific climate needs to be considered.
LIGHT LOW - MODERATE - HIGH - MODERATE
WINTER - SPRING - SUMMER - AUTUMN
GRP I - GRP II - GRP III - GRP IV - GRP III - GRPII
Overhead watering is recommended for the first few weeks after planting. Two layers of support netting is ideal.
To pinch or not to pinch? Pinching will create a bushier plant with more lateral stems and more flowers however you will sacrifice the size of the flower and delay the flowering by a 2 - 3 weeks. Spacing for pinched plants = 6" and if you are not pinching = 4". Once flowers start to form, pinch out the first bud to save the plants resources for the rest of the flowers. Harvest when the second tier have opened and the third tier of buds are full.