Cleome Seeds (Spider Flower)

Cleome spinosa

Queen Rose Cleome Seeds Tall and vigorous spider like flowers. Very fragrant rose colored blooms. More >>

Item #A-176 | 1000 Seeds | Price: $1.95 Qty:

Queen Mix Cleome Seeds Easy to grow, vigorous plants with masses of spider like flowers in rose, violet and white blooms. More >>

Item #A-172 | 1000 Seeds | Price: $1.95 Qty:

Flower Garden � Tips on Growing Cleome From Seeds

Sowing Cleome Seeds

• BEFORE sowing seeds, chill the cleome seeds at 40�F (4�)C for five days to encourage earlier germination.
• Sow the seeds about 4 weeks before the last frost in your area.
• If you cover seed- do so ever so lightly with a thin layer of medium sized vermiculite to maintain moisture levels, However Light is needed for germination.
• Media: � pH: 5.5 � 5.8
• Light: Light is necessary for germination. If utilizing a chamber, providing a light source of 10 � 100 foot candles, as this will improve germination and reduce stretch.
• Temperature: Cleome needs higher than normal temperatures to germinate successfully.
• Moisture: Wet (4) until radicle (Embryonic Root) emergence. Then begin alternating between moisture levels wet (4) and moist (3) until cotyledon expansion. Allow media to approach level (3) before re-saturating to level (4). Media saturated for over 12 � 14 hours can inhibit germination.
• Humidity: 90 � 100%
• Bulking � For optimum conditions during the vegetative period, beginning at cotyledon expansion, needed for the root to reach the edge of the plug cell.
• Media: � pH: 5.5 � 5.8.
• Temperature: Continue fluctuating day/night temperatures at 80� � 85�F (26� � 30�C) days and 68� � 70�F (20� � 21�C) nights.
• Moisture: Alternate between moist (3) and medium (2). Allow media to approach level (2) before re-saturating to level (3). Media saturated for more than 12 hours may inhibit growth.
• Germination can take 14 days at correct temperatures.

Transplanting

Cleome is a strong self-seeder, and is usually planted directly in the ground around the time of your last frost, so if you are transplanting from plugs, do so at the same time, after your last frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone -First Frost Date- Last Frost Date

• Zone 1 -July 15th -June 15th
• Zone 2 -August 15th- May 15th
• Zone 3 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 4 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 5 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 6 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 7 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 8 -November 15th March 15th
• Zone 9 -December 15th February 15th
• Zone 10 -December 15th January 31st (sometimes earlier)
• Zone 11 -No frost. No frost.

Terms and their meaning:

• EC=Electrical Conductivity

Plant injury resulting from excessive soluble salts may first occur as a mild chlorosis of the foliage, later progressing to a necrosis of leaf tips and margins. This type of injury is largely attributed to the mobility of soluble salts within the plant. As these salts are rapidly translocated throughout the plant, they accumulate at the leaf tips and margins. Once the salts reach a toxic level they cause the characteristic "burn" associated with excessive salts. For an accurate reading get an EC meter. Soluble salts in irrigation water are measured in terms of electrical conductivity (EC). The higher the salt content the greater the EC. In general EC values exceeding 2.0 are considered toxic to plant growth. Monitor your water quality frequently in order to avoid potential problems from soluble salts.

• FC=Foot Candles

Light intensity is a primary factor in the photosynthesis of all plants. Full unobstructed sunlight has an intensity of about 10,000 fc. Where as an overcast day will produce an intensity of around 1,000 fc. A window sill or light around a window or patio glass door can range from 100 to 5,000 depending of course what direction the light source is facing, or the time of year and your latitude.

• PPM=Parts Per Million

This unit of measure is relatively unique to the greenhouse industry and often there is some confusion on how ppm is calculated.
I. To calculate the ppm contained in 1 ounce of material first solve for B:
A x 75 = B
A = the % active ingredient (AI) in the fertilizer
B = ppm contained in 1 ounce of the material in 100 gallons of water
Example: Calcium nitrate contains 15% N (0.15 x 75 = 11.25). If 1 ounce of calcium nitrate is dissolved in 100 gallons of water the solution will contain a II. To calculate the number of ounces of material required to make up a desired ppm concentration solve for C:
C = Desired ppm conc. / B
B = ppm contained in 1 ounce of the material in 100 gallons of water (from above).
C = number of ounces of material to add to 100 gallons of water to achieve the desired concentration.
Example: To make up a 250 ppm solution of calcium nitrate first multiply the AI x 75 (.15 x 75 = 11.25). Next divide the desired concentration by 11.25 (250/11.25 = 22). To make up a 250 ppm solution of calcium nitrate you would add 22 ounces to 100 gallons of water.
aproximately 11.25 ppm N.

To be sure about pH, test the soil with a pH meter. Apply fertilizer and lime using the results of the soil test as a guide.

• Soil pH is a measurement of the number of Hydrogen ions present in the soil solution along with as the acidity of the soil. When the soil pH is too acidic the nutrients that are present in the soil become locked-up or unavailable (low pH) or alkaline (high pH).
• Correcting the pH has the same effect as applying fertilizer as it unlocks plant nutrients already present.
• In the garden some garden plants thrive in acidic soils while others prefer an alkaline soil.
• The acidity or alkalinity of soil is a measurement by pH (potential Hydrogen ions). pH is a way to measure the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil, and the type of soil that you have.

To Measure Soil pH

Limestone is added to the soil to raise the pH level because limestone is essentially calcium and calcium reacts with water in the soil to yield hydroxyl ions .. a process known as, hydrolysis = thus the pH level in the soil is raised.

Sulfur reacts with bacteria in the soil and produces sulfuric acid, which releases hydrogen ions thus causing the soil to become more acidic =the pH level is lowered.

Application Of Lime (To Raise Soil pH)

To increase your pH by 1.0 point and make your soil more alkaline.

• Add 4 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in sandy soils
• Add 8 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in loamy soils
• Add 12 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in clay soils
• Add 25 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in peaty soils
• The addition of ash, bone meal, or crushed oyster shells will also help to raise soil pH levels.

Application of Sulfur (To Lower Soil pH)

If your soil needs to be more acidic, sulfur will lower the pH if it is available.

To reduce the soil pH by 1.0 point

• Mix in 1.2 oz of ground rock sulfur per square yard if the soil is sandy
• Mix in 3.6 oz per square yard for all other soils.
• Composted leaves, wood chips, sawdust, leaf mold and peat moss, will also help to lower the soil pH.