19. Planting timing
Timing depends on the target market for either flowers or tubers. There is a
twelve month market for tubers which spans both the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres.
A spread of production timing is desirable. ‘Ready to plant’ tubers are in
shortest supply from January‐March.
Target flower production to market requirements. If planting in the cooler
winter period (for Spring harvest), flowering can take up to 120 days from
planting. This will reduce to 50 days in warm Spring/Summer conditions.
If growing for tubers, the early market requires stock to be lifted from
October to December.
In New Zealand, growers plant early (May‐July) and in a greenhouse (pregermination
is essential ‐ refer #18. For Autumn sale of tubers, plant outdoors
in early Spring.
20. Planting spacin