Ariel

CROP TIME

From planting to harvest 11 weeks.

From prune to harvest: 10 weeks.

STEM HEIGHT

75cm

PLANTING DENSITY

12-14 plants/m2 net or 1 plant /ft2 net.

PRE-PLANTING

Soil: Well drained, loose soil with no clusters, at least 25 cm (10 in.) deep.

pH: 5.5 to 6.5

Netting: 2-3 levels

PRUNING

Optional. Leave between 2 to 3 cm (1 to 2 in.) of the stems. If no drip irrigation is available, do a higher pruning. Always seal the wound to avoid infection.

IRRIGATION

Apply a daily average volume of 5 to 5.5 l/m2/day according to the soild’s humidity evapotranspiration conditions and the organoleptic evaluation.  At the end of harvest, stop irrigation and restart one week after pruning.

FERTILIZATION

A general fertilization formula can be the following:

N: 80 ppm

P: 40 ppm

K: 150 ppm

Ca: 120 ppm

Mg: 50 ppm

S: 50 ppm

Fe: 2 ppm

Mn: 2.5 ppm

Cu, Zn & B: 0.2 ppm

Maintain EC < 1.3

HARVEST

The optimal harvest stage is when one flower has its petals straight and when the petals start to separate. The maximum cut stage is when the inflorescence has 30% of open flowers.

POSTHARVEST TREATMENT

Measure the hydrating water’s pH before applying any post harvest solutions.  Use citric acid to bring the pH to 4.0. Place the flowers immediately after cutting in a solution with STC (20 cc/l dosis) for at least 2 hours. No cold room is necessary, but needs a fresh temperature room (T=15˚) protected form the wind and direct sun. Then, hydrate in Chryslar Professional 2 (10 cc/l dosis) for 12 hours in a cold room.

PACKAGING AND STORAGE

After post-harvest treatment, pack 20 bouquets in a hamper box all placed in the same direction.  Immediately after, store in cold room to maintain vase life.  Store the hamper box vertically to avoid twisted stems.

PESTS & DISEASES

•Slugs

•Pythium sp

•Thrips sp

•Powdery mildewTM

•Botrytys sp