Brainiac
- Big, dense and early flowering heads
- Compact and uniform plant habit
- Tolerates hot conditions in moderate climates
- Recommended for pots and packs
Technical Guide: Click here
All information in our technical guide is based on our own trials and would therefore be as guideline only. Detailed cultivation aspects vary depending on climate, location, time of year and environmental conditions. Benary expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content of such data/information and makes no representation or warranty for the cultivation of any products listed. It is recommended that growers conduct a trial of products under their own conditions.
- Crop Time
- Spring: 8 - 10 weeks
- Height ∅
- 6 ″ / 15 cm
- Width ∅
- 7 ″ / 18 cm
- Exposure
- Sun
- Seed Form
- Raw Seed
- Best Uses
- Pot Plant
Culture guide
Usage
Mass plantings, specimen plant and mixed containers
Sow time
January-June
Sowing method
1 seed per plug
Germination
Stage 1: 7-10 days at 25 °C; Stage II-IV: 11-20 days at 18-21 °C day temperature and 15-18 °C night temperature. Use media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.0. Requires light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.
Media
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.0.
Temperature
Grow at 18-20 °C. At the end of the cultivation time decrease the temperature to 16 °C. Avoid temperatures below 16 °C, because Celosia needs warm temperatures to grow.
Fertilization
Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a potassium and phosphate balanced fertilizer (N: K₂O-Ratio: 1 :1,5). Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.
Tip
Cultivate plants firstly slightly moist and later dry. Avoid an inhibited and stressful cultivation (in particular low temperatures or nutrition deficiency), because the flower initiation may start before plants have reached sufficient size and thus the plant quality decreases.
Stage I Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.
