Suite (12)
Appleblossom, White, Ivory White, Yellow, Lavender, Pink, Red, Royal Improved, Crimson, Orange, Dark Orange, Cherry Rose
CROP TIME
From planting to harvest: 12 weeks
PLANTING DENSITY
90 plants/m 2net
PRE-PLANTING
Soil: Well surfaced, loose soil with no clusters; at least 25 cm (10 in.) deep.
pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Netting: 2 levels
FLOWERING GROUPS
Snapdragons are grouped based on the response of the varieties to night time temperatures, light intensity and day length.
TEMPERATURE
• Group 1: Night 45-50oF (7-10oC), Day – 50- 55oF (10-13oC).
• Group 2: Night 50-55oF (10-13oC), Day – 55- 60oF (13-16oC).
• Group 3: Night 55-60oF (13-16oC), Day – 60- 65oF (16-18oC).
• Group 4: Night temperature above 60oF (>16oC), Day >65oF (>18oC).
Generally, lower temperatures in the ranges give the best quality, but at the expense of a longer crop time.
LIGHT
• Group 1: low light 1,000 to 1,500 foot candles.
• Group 2: moderate light 1,500 to 3,000 foot candles.
• Group 3: moderate to high light 2,500 to 4,500 foot candles.
• Group 4: high light 3,000 to 5,000 foot candles
IRRIGATION & FERTILIZATON
Begin with overhead irrigation, then switch to drip irrigation one (1) week after transplant. Volume from 4 to 5 L/day/m2..
Excessive side shoots are an indication of high moisture or inappropriate fertilization levels. A general fertilization formula can be:
N: 80 ppm
P: 40 ppm
K: 160 ppm
Ca: 120 ppm
Mg: 60 ppm
S: 50 ppm
Fe: 2 ppm
Mn: 2.5 ppmCu, Zn y B: 0.2 ppm.
HARVEST
Harvest when 3 - 6 flowers are opened.
POST HARVEST TREATMENT
Place the flowers immediately after cutting in a solution to prevent ethylene damage (shattering) such as STS for 2 hours. Store at fresh temperature (15o C) avoiding sun and wind. Then hydrate in Crhyslar Professional 2 (6 cc/lt) for 12 hours in a cold room.
STORAGE
Snapdragons should be stored and shipped upright to prevent the spikes to bend.
PESTS & DISEASES
•Botrytis
•Thrips sp
•Aphids
•Downy mildewTM