| Description: | The edging lobelia is a continuous-blooming plant that needs not much attention; suitable for mixed balcony flower boxes, hanging baskets, tubs and beds in full sunlight; very long flowering period. |
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| Potting: | 11 - 13 cm pots, approx. 40-25 plants/m²; weeks 4 - 10 (cold cultivation: possible as from November). 20 - 25 cm hanging baskets (3 plants per basket); 16 - 9 pcs./m²; weeks 4 - 10. |
| Substrate: | Well-drained, loose substrate of type 2, pH approx. 5.5 |
| Fertilization: | Moderately consumptive, weekly liquid fertilization with a 0.15 to 0.25 % complete fertilizer. Have an eye on iron deficiency symptoms during cultivation. Should they occur, they can easily be remedied with conventional iron chelate fertilizers. |
| Temperature: | Start at 16 - 18 °C, lower to 10 - 14 °C after 3 to 4 weeks. Cool cultivation conditions are recommended. Cold cultivation (five week cooling phase at 5 - 6 °C) is recommended for an early flowering! "Cool Morning/DIF" reduces the inhibitor demand and improves the quality. |
| Light: | Full light, no shadow. If necessary, use supplementary light (assimilation light!) to achieve early flowering (daylight for at least 14 to 16 h). |
| Flowering: | Starts late in April (in case of cold cultivation: early in April) depending on light conditions (if no extra light is used). |
| Growth regulators: | 1 - 2 x; Topflor 0.05%; approx. 2 weeks after potting. |
| Pinching: | 1 week after potting or immediately in case of a suitable young plant size. |
| Diseases and pest: | Since lobelias are very vulnerable to Tospoviruses, create proper hygienic conditions and provide for a rigorous, preventive thrips control. Xanthomonas wilt may also become very problematic during cultivation; therefore, maintain hygienic conditions and avoid overhead watering if possible. White fly, miner fly, plant lice, flower thrips and botrytis may also occur; take hygienic measures! |
| Water balance is of importance; the plants must not stand too wet, danger of botrytis, damage to roots and irregular plant build-up are the consequences. | |