Single
Calcutta Single, Mexican Single, Phule Rajani, Prajwal, Rajat Rekha, Shringar, Khahikuchi Single, Hyderabad Single, Pune Single, Arka Nirantra
Double
Calcutta Double, Hyderabad Double, Pearl Double, Swarna Rekha, Suvasini, Vaibhav
Tropical conditions with a temperature range of 28 to 30ºC
Well drained sandy loam to clay loamy soil with a pH of 6.5 – 7.5
FYM : 25 t/ha
N: P:K : 200:200:200 kg/ha
Full P and K can be applied during the final preparation of plots, while N can be applied in 3 equal split doses i.e., at the final preparation of plot, 60 and 90 days after planting of bulbs.
Foliar spray of ZnSO4 0.5% + FeSO4 0.2% + Boric acid 0.1%.
Pests
Thrips
Spray any one of the following:
Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit.
Fipronil 5 SC @ 1.5 ml/ lit.
Aphids
Spray any one of the following:
Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit.
Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 1.5ml/lit.
Root knot nematode
Apply Pocchonia chlamydosporia as bulb treatment @ 1kg/ha followed by soil application @ 2.5kg/ha mixed with 100kg FYM or apply Carbofuran 3 G @ 1 g/plant near the root zone and irrigate immediately.
Foliar nematode
Soak bulbs in neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) overnight before planting
Basal rot (or) stem rot: Soil drenching with carbendazim @ 0.1 %
2 ½ to 3 years
For Loose flower and concrete extraction
Individual florets are plucked during early morning hours before 8 am daily, when they start to open.
For cut flower
Whole spike is cut leaving 4 to 6 cm from the base.
The flower spikes are graded according to the stalk length, length of rachis, number of flowers per spike and weight of spikes. Straight and strong stem of uniform length and uniform stage of development are preferred. Flowers should be free from bruises, diseases and pests
o Loose flowers: 14 -15 t/ha
o Cut flower: 2 – 3 lakhs spikes/ha/year
o Bulbs & bulblets: 20 -25 t/ha (at the end of 3rd year)
o Concrete recovery: 0.08 – 0.11 %
Bulbs reach maturity at the cessation of flowering when the leaves become yellow and dry during winter (February-March). At this stage, irrigation is withheld and the soil is allowed to dry.
The leaves are cut off at the ground level and the bulbs are dug out. After digging, the bulbs are lifted out and the adhering earth shaken off neatly and thoroughly.
The offsets are then separated out by hand, which are used as seed stock for the next season. The bulbs are then graded based on the size into mature (> 1.5 cm diameter) and immature (< 1.5 cm diameter).
Cleaned and graded bulbs are placed on shelves to dry or cure. To hasten curing artificial heat of 27° to 35°C may be applied.
The bulbs must be stirred or have their position changed every few days to prevent fungal attack and rotting.
Bulbs are stored in a protected shady place with good aeration, till they are planted outdoors.
Storage temperature influences the number of bulbs produced and the quality of flower
spike. An ambient air temperature of at least 18°C for four to six weeks or exactly six weeks at 30°C stimulates the yield of commercial sized bulbs.
Longer storage at 30°C advances flower spike yield but the quality of spike deteriorates and the bulb number decreases