Optimierung der Beetkultur

Page 4/6 Optimization tips for growing cyclamen in California adapted for outdoor use Please remember that pots in an elevated culture tray will buffer the humidity longer due to the cooling effect caused by the space between tray and ground. Our cyclamen are really strong and these stressful irrigation conditions will make them perform even better in landscape plantations and gardens. Our suggestion: The point is to find an irrigation process which combines the relatively little precision that supposes the manual irrigation with judicious use of the culture elements (soil, pots, trays, etc) so that they offer maximum buffer of the irrigation. Peat contraction due to limited watering Correct development of corm due to a balanced feeding program When to water and what amount? The decision for watering can be taken when two thirds of the top of the pot is dry, while avoiding to saturate the remai- ning third again in view of the previous irrigation. In extreme situations, one can expect the peat to suffer a slight contraction in the pot. This allows the cyclamen roots to be oxygenated and to enhance their secondary and more active roots. It also will contribute to a balanced growth of the corm in respect to the canopy. Dry upper third of substrate illustrates good watering control As it is manual work, it is very important that always the same person (or group of persons) executes the watering and that he or she has been correctly taught how to do. Healthy roots as result of right air/water balance The weakest point of cyclamen lies in their roots because of asphyxia caused by an excess of water, especially when temperatures are high. Most of diseases such as Erwinia, Fusarium, Phytophtora, etc find their way into cyclamen after inadequate control of irrigation. Therefore our objective is to give adapted doses of water with maxim effectiveness. How to water? Irrigation is possible with boom systems, which have nozzles that make it possible to reach the heart of the plants very effectively and water with great homogeneity. These systems may be more or less computerized and require significant financial investment. As an alternative, we propose manual irrigation with hose which can be most effective and homogenous if used correc- tly. To achieve good results, it is important to consider:  a larger drop size than a sprinkler system  the angle of the nozzle ( appr. 45° from ground level)  regularity in application to guarantee a good execution of the work.