Matthiola incana
DESCRIPTION
First up in cut flower cultivation is the lovely leafy houseplant. This variety has soft apricot-colored double flowers that grow on sturdy stems. It smells heavenly and has a long shelf life in a vase. In addition, the leafy houseplant is edible and makes a beautiful decoration for drinks, pastries and food.
LIFE CYCLE: ONE YEAR
HEIGHT: APPROX. 60 CM
COLOR: APRICOT
GROWING POSITION: SUN
SEEDS/BAG: APPROX. 30 PCS
PRE-CULTIVATION/DIRECT SOWING
SOWING TIME: MARCH-APRIL/APRIL-MAY
SOWING DEPTH: 0.1 CM
GROOMING TIME: 7-20 DGR
FINAL PLANTING
PLANT SPACING: 25 CM
ROW SPACING: 25 CM
HARVEST FESTIVAL: APPROX. 2-3 MONTHS AFTER SOWING
SOWING AND HARVESTING LEAF COTTAGE
Growing location : Grown outdoors/in a flowerbed, in a pallet collar or larger pot on the balcony in a sunny location (6-7 hours of sun/day).
AT SOWING
Sow the leaf house indoors in March-April depending on how early flowering you want. Place the briquette in lukewarm water and let it swell. Place on a dish or growing tray. Stick a seed about 0.1 cm into the growing briquette and cover the seed with some of the briquette's coconut fibers. The leaf house can also be sown in smaller pots filled with planting soil.
If you want later flowering, the leafy house can also be sown directly in its growing location in April-May. Make sure to prepare the growing location by loosening the soil, clearing weeds and filling it with nutritious potting soil. Water thoroughly before sowing the seeds. Make sure to keep the soil moist throughout the germination period.
Mark the sowing with markers. Specify the variety and date.
Cover the seeds with a transparent cover with air holes. Tip – use a greenhouse with a plastic lid and place a capillary mat in the bottom to provide an even and good water supply. Place on a heating floor or heating mat for extra fast germination.
Water regularly - never let the seeds dry out!
1-3 WEEKS AFTER SOWING
Provide light . When the seed germinates, usually after 7-20 days, it needs light. Remove the plastic and place the seed in a brighter and cooler location.
RETRAINING
Repot the plant when it has 4 leaves, to give it more space. Plant it in a pot measuring approximately 10x10 cm, which is filled with nutritious potting soil. Plant at the same depth as the plant was previously. Water with lukewarm water. Here the plants are then allowed to grow before it is time to plant out.
FINAL PLANTING
Harden off the plant when the risk of frost is over, to accustom it to the outdoor environment. Start with 1 hour/day and gradually increase the time outside. Avoid direct sunlight which is too strong for the tender leaves. After a week or so it is ready for a permanent life outdoors.
Plant the plant in its growing location, for example in a flowerbed or pallet collar, with 25 cm between each plant and 25 cm between each row. Plant in well-fertilized soil. Make sure to support the flower with a support stick so that it can reach its full potential. Fertilize a few times during the season.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Approximately 2-3 months after sowing, the leaf house is fully developed. Enjoy it in the flowerbed or bring it in as a cut. The leaf house has a long shelf life in a vase and will spread a magical scent in your home.
