Bellis perennis Tasso Strawberries & Cream

Culture guide

Usage

Plants for landscape and borders, pot plants, plants for grave

Sow time

Pot plant production (frost free): End August – Mid September; Pot plant production (without heating): Mid August – End August

Sowing method

3-5 seeds per plug

Germination

7-14 days at 70-75 °F (21-24 °C), do not cover seed

Growing on

Transplant plugs in mid winter to mid spring. Plants will flower in approximately 8-10 weeks when grown 40-50 °F (5-10 °C), under similar conditions to spring pansies.

Media

Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-15 % organic parts (e.g. compost), 1 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.

Temperature

Grow at 10-12 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. At mid December the plants start to grow for 5-7 weeks at 10-12 °C. Grow as cool as possible but avoid freezing temperatures for a good plant quality. Temperatures above 12 °C will result in big foliage growth, thin flower stems and missing flowering initiation. Temperatures below 6 °C delay the buds development. At warm outdoors temperatures open airing in time.

Fertilization

Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen (at 0 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. The plants take up the minerals at 5 °C. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don’t fertilize after early October. In spring fertilize 150-200 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K₂O-ratio: 1:1,5). The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates.