Hippie Chicks

Culture guide

Usage

Attractive plants for rock garden and dry stone walls, pot plants, plants for graves, ornamental leaf plant, plants attract bees, extensive roof planting

Sow time

January-March for green pots; June-August for flowering in pots the following year

Sowing method

3-5 seeds per plug

Germination

Germinates in 14-25 days at 65-72 °F (18-22 °C). Cover seed lightly after sowing.

Growing on

Transplant plugs after 11-12 weeks. Grow on at 60-65 °F (15-18 °C).

Media

Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 0-15 % clay, 0-15 % parts (e.g. bark, wood fibres, perlite, sand),1-1,5 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 1-2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-7.0.

Temperature

Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoor fleece cover needed. For wintering the roots development should be very good. In spring the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C. Cold temperatures of 10-12 °C will increase the cultivation time. A chilling period (vernalization) is required for flower initiation.

Fertilization

Low-moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Very high nitrogen levels in substrate cause shoot stretching and the shoots fall apart. Don’t fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 80-100 ppm nitrogen of a complete balanced fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times.