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| Calitunia® – the best of Calibrachoa and Petunia |
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Calitunia® is the world's first inter-generic hybrid cross between Calibrachoa and Petunia (both Solanaceae) that combines the advantages of both parents. Danziger “Dan” - Flower Farm is the first breeder in the world to succeed in this major breeding achievement and plants were on display at IPM –Essen 2006. The bright purple flowers of variety Calitunia® Purple have contrasting yellow centres. Plants are said to be highly floriferous. Tip cuttings will root in about 3 weeks at a temperature of 18-20°C (nights 8-13°C). Calitunia® has similar tolerance to temperature as for Petunias. Rooted cuttings finish exceptionally fast. 1 plant is appropriate for a 10cm pot, 1-2 plants for 15cm pot and the finished plants will be ready in 6-10 weeks. No growth regulators are required. Pinching is optional. If made it should be effected about 4 weeks after rooting whicle plants are still in their liner trays. Plants flower early making several production cycles possible during a season. For hanging baskets 3-4 plants are suitable with a finishing time of 7-11 weeks. A constant feed is given to the plants with a balanced fertilizer 250-300ppm N and moderate moisture levels are maintained. A well-drained disease free substrate with a pH 5.5-6.0 (EC 0.8-1.2) should be used. A standard preventative spray program is suggested. Garden performance is good and Calitunia® will continue to thrive in extreme weather conditions, both in heat and low temperatures just as Petunia. Plants prefer full sun. They are disease resistant and grow to a uniformly compact mounding habit with lush foliage. They have the vigour of Petunia and lack the pH sensitivity of Calabrachoa. Stems of Calitunia® are stronger, they branch well and break less easily than in the case of Calibrachoa. Calitunia® is regarded as an easy profitable crop for the commercial grower and they will normally flower 1-1.5 weeks earlier than ordinary Calibrachoa. For retail sales, its mounding and trailing growth habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, patio containers, flower beds and landscape applications. Being easy to grow and maintenance free, these plants is good consumer choice. Mr. Chanochi Zaks, E-mail: chanochi@danzinger.co.il www.damzinger.co.il |
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