| Description: | The regal pelargoniums of the pac® Aristo® series are characterized by rich flowering, early flowering and homogeneity of the stocks. Regal pelargoniums are high-quality products and should be sold at upmarket prices. Having been used as an indoor plant, pac® Aristo® varieties may be planted out and will continue to flower throughout the summer. |
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| Cultivation time: | After the short rooting time of 10 days and another 42 days of cooling, the first flowers should appear after approx. 8 weeks. |
| Potting: | 12/13 cm pots, weeks 44/45 - 50. |
| Substrate: | Clayey, well-drained and structurally stable P or T mixture, pH 5.5 - 6.0. |
| Fertilization: | - After potting: similar to zonal pelargoniums, with a slight N increase. No or little fertilization in the cooling phase, after cooling fertilize with: N 180 – 230 mg/l P 130 – 200 mg/l K 250 – 350 mg/l Have an eye on iron deficiency symptoms during cultivation. Should they occur, they can easily be remedied with conventional iron chelate fertilizers. |
| Temperature: | After potting, the plants are recommended to be kept at a temperature of approx. 18 °C for 10 days. The plants will begin to take roots in this time. After about 10 days, spray them prophylactically against botrytis (Rovral, Teldor, Signum), then lower the temperature gradually to approx. 6 to 8 °C day and night. This temperature serves to induce flowers and needs to be kept for a period of 42 days. The cooling phase should be extended by one day each for every day when a temperature of 10°C is markedly exceeded for several hours. pac® Aristo® varieties induce also at temperatures up to 15 °C. Water and fertilize during this period very carefully. Thereafter, raise the temperature again, adjusting it to the available lighting conditions. Another criterion is the desired selling time. Extra light in connection with higher temperatures support an early flowering. Little light and high temperatures result in too big plants. |
| Flowering: | Starts in mid-March depending on light conditions (if no extra light is used). |
| Growth regulators: | If necessary, apply Cycocel 720 (0.1 - 0.15 %) once between potting and the cooling phase, or one to max. two times after the cooling phase. The application is dependent on the cultivation time and temperature control. |
| Pinching: | Regal pelargoniums should not be pinched. |
| Diseases and pest: | Botrytis, white fly | Space requirement: | Until the end of the cooling phase, the pots may be set directly next to each other (a thumb-wide distance is recommended), then place them so that approx. 18 plants cover one square metre. |
| Raw ware: | When buying pre-cooled raw ware in the period from end of January to end of February, the products have already passed the two first production phases, i.e. taking root and safe flower induction. Upon receipt of the plants (in 12 cm pots), you may place them directly at their final distance to each other, or plan to move them to their final places after approx. 4 weeks. Depending on the cultivation conditions, it takes approx. 8 weeks from the purchase of the raw ware to their flowering. |
| 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. | |