Limonium sinuatum (Statice) Cultivation description General

Statice originate from the Mediterranean. It is the most widely grown annual Statice. Up to some years ago, they had main­ly been grown from seed, but for some time basic material through tissue culture has been available. The distincti­ve features of tissue culture plants of the Sun Birds®-series are:

- great uniformity;

- tall stems;

- wide range of colours;

- long spikes;

- flowers on top of the stem;

- high production of flowers per plant (up to 5 times production of seed plants).

The Statice propagated by tissue-culture is available in the following colours:

Statice Sun Birds®-series can be grown both for greenhouse production as well as

for outdoor cultivation, even the majority of plants is grown indoor. If your climate is not too humid and you prefer to grow outside, we recommend to only grow the blue’s and violet colours, as these varieties have more resistance for fungal diseases.
Planting period

The planting period depends on which area to plants. In Western Europe, it is common to plant from December through to April, whereby specially the December planting generates flowering for early spring, when flower prices usually are higher.

In the Mediterranean area, it is recommended to plant in fall thus benefitting a good winter yield. In countries around the equator, year-round planting is possible.
Planting method/ planting density

It is recommend planting in two rows of plants per bed of 1 metre wide with a distanceof 30 - 40 cm in between the plants in the row. This means you require 3,1 - 4 plantsper gross square metre.

For both the cultivation in glasshouses as well as for outdoor cultivation supporting material must be used. One layer of the so called “Alstroemeria wire-netting” with squares of 17.5 x 20 cm is sufficient. Tip: bring after planting your wire-netting to 30 cm. When the flower stem are stretching, they will spread more regular.

The production period in Western Europe is from mid-April through to late October.

In other area’s a longer production period is possible.

Depending on growing conditions the total production per plant ranges, though in the

Netherlands a production between 35 - 50 stem per one plant is possible.

Temperature

In darker circumstances, with the heating system as the source of heat, a night tempera­ture of 11 °C and a day temperature of 14 °C can be taken as a starting point. Here also applies that in case of much light the temp­era­tures may rise.

Statice requires a lot of air. A good climate is important. Always let some fresh air into the greenhouse during the night. After a colder night, give some extra heat in the morning during the flower­ing peri­od to prevent agai­nst Botry­tis.

Statice can be grown on various types of soil, as long as the permeability is good.

Too moist circumstances may cause fungal problems.

Watering & fertilising

The water dosage depends on the type of soil (always keep the ground sufficient­ly humid).

Overwatering may cause the stems to grow too much and to become weak.
In respect of fertilising we recommend you to analyse the soil before planting. In general Statice requires low feeding levels. Too high fertilization can causes smaller spike and weaker flower stem.

When you want to start fertilise before planting you can give 3-5 kg N+P+K 12+10+19 per 100 m². During the growing season, additional fertiliser needs to be given. In case your length is a problem (for instance on clayish soil), extra Nitrogen is required. On sandy soils you have to put more emphasis on potassium to strengthen the stems.

In the vegetative stage you may water above, but in generative stage it's important that you water underneath. You can use f.i. by drippers or plastic tubs. Do not use a raining-system underneath, because that is too irregular. When you water in the morning you avoid that the plants are wet during the night period.

Feeding Scheme:

mmol/l

pH 6,2 – 6,5

0,1 1,5 2,0 1,5 1,0 3,5 1,4 1,5 0,5 0,15

Statice Sun Birds®-Series requires to be harvested only once or twice per week depending on the time of the year. The moment of harvesting is as 80% of the spike is full open. Do not cut too early, otherwise the quality is too weak.

Harvested flowers can be put on water with chloride pill, but be cautious for a too high concentration.

Statice has to be sorted on length and weight. You may store the flower in cool conditions 5-8 °C, but note that the spike is dry (to avoid botrytis).