Container:
1 Quart (12 count)
When to Plant:
Late winter to early spring
Finish:
12-14 weeks
Notes:
Can be sold as a green plant in fall or the following spring. Expect only 10-15% to flower the following season.
Container:
Trade 1 Gallon Container
When to Plant:
Early to mid fall or winter through early spring
Finish:
10-12 weeks
Notes:
Expect 10-15% to flower the following spring. If held for one full season through a second vernalization you can expect much higher percentage of flowers.
Container:
Trade 1 Gallon Container
When to Plant:
Late winter to spring
Finish:
10-12 weeks
Notes:
Can be sold the same season as a green plant. Expect only 10-15% to flower the following spring.
Grower Tips:
Helleborus grow under cool conditions. Avoid overfeeding and overwatering in the summer months when plants are inactive. Helleborus must be mature to achieve consistent flowering. After the first season expect 10-15% to flower. After the second season more consistent flowering will appear.
Growing Temperature:
50-55° F days
40-45° F nights
Soil PH:
5.5-5.8 (see below for more details)
EC (What is EC?):
1.5-2.0 pour through method
Fertility:
Feed heavier during the cool growing season when plants are active (fall and spring). Apply 100-150 ppm N at this time. Helleborus are lighter feeders in summer when plants are summer dormant. Apply 50-75 ppm N during summer months and monitor EC levels in soil to avoid root burning from elevated salts.
Helleborus benefit from regular iron applications, which helps keep the foliage green and prevents chlorosis. We recommend applying a 6% EDDHA iron as a sprench at 4-6 oz/gal every 1-2 weeks.
Vernalization:
Cold temperatures required for active growth. Force at 45-55 degrees for best flower performance.
Pests & Diseases:
Scale can be a problem on helleborus and is easy to miss until there is a large population size. Scout the stems and undersides of leaves. Watch for crown and root rots as well as botrytis.
Potting & Timing:
Helleborus prefers cool temperatures and shaded conditions.
They put on most of their growth in early spring and then again in fall. Summer potting is not recommended.
Moisture:
Keep plants moderately moist but not wet.
Planting Level:
At crown level.
Lighting:
Provide 50% shade to avoid stress from the sunlight.
Other Comments:
Additional pH Notes: While in the garden Hellebores might prefer an alkaline soil, we have found that juvenile plants in a production environment benefit from a lower pH. Our pH listing above is lower than one may think is appropriate, however we find most growers have high alkalinity water which tends to raise the pH to 5.8-6.4.