Ornithogalum Dubium as Pot Plant

 Main attributes

• Attractive raceme with up to 30 florets.
• Production of 2 stems from size 3/4.
• More stems viable from bigger bulbs.
• All florets open gradually, giving unusually extended flowering time.
• Minimum labor in production.
• Easy to handle and ship.

Growing requirements and instructions

• Growing medium: well drained planting medium.
• Temperatures: In greenhouse, the optimal temperature for growth and flowering is 18-23°C (day) / 7-12°C (night).  Avoid freezing temperature.
• Long day: Produces earlier flower. This is achieved by extending daylight to 16 h.
  In places with lake of light use artificial illumination with at least 8000 Lax per Square meter (during winter time).
• Ventilation: it is important to have well ventilated greenhouse, as the crop is sensitive to bacterial wilt (Erwinia) which develops under unventilated, humid and warm environment.
• Shading:
  For early autumn planting in warm areas, use 40% shade during sprouting and the beginning of development.
  Full sun is encouraging vegetative growth.
  Shading increase plants height.
• Planting: Cover the bulbs with 1 cm’ of planting media.
• Do not plant near pot border.
  For 12cm pot, use about 35 pots per m².
  For 10cm pot, use about 55 pots per m².
• Irrigation: During the growing season, always keep the planting medium moist. Widespread as much as possible between watering.
  Drip irrigation is recommended to discourage outbreak of disease.
• Fertilizering: Fertilization N.P.K. Ratio 2:1:2 N – level 70-130 ppm according to plant and soil analyses, or following planting, fertilize through the irrigation system with a 7-3-7 fertilizer at the rate of 1 Kg per 1,000 L. of water.
  PH of irrigated water should be 6 to prevent bacterial wilt outbreak.
  Max EC level of the irrigated water – 1.4
• Growth regulator: In low light conditions, this treatment will cause compact plants.
  Treatment is as follows:  Apply when the first bud appears from leaves, use active material of Bonzi (paclo-botrazol) 50 ppm
  with a volume of 120 liters per 1,000 m².
  When transplanting the young plants from End Feb – no Growth regulator is necessary.
• Diseases: Phytium,
  Spraying mainly for prevention but also when Phytium accrues

Flower marketing:

• When first floret is fully colored and open, it’s ready for sale.
• Cold storage: plants can keep at 2°C for at least 2 weeks.