Phacelia, a flowering plant valued for its multifaceted benefits, serves as a quick growing cover crop and green manure or as a sanctuary for pollinators and predator insects to feed and plan their assaults from.
Phacelia's ability to attract beneficial insects like bees and other pollinators with its vibrant flowers is due to the abundant nectar with carbohydrates for energy and protein-filled pollen for egg production, assisting biological control. Phacelia is utilised in companion planting strategies to improve pest management by attracting beneficial insects that prey on crop-damaging pests. A fabulous plant to have in your garden to support biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
When employed as a cover crop, phacelia proves instrumental in enhancing soil health by preventing erosion and suppressing weeds with its dense foliage. Its deep root system aids in soil aeration and nutrient cycling, contributing to improved soil structure and fertility. Phacelia is a good phosphate scavenger, absorbing phosphate from deep down the soil profile and making it available for following crops.
This versatile plant serves as a source of forage for livestock, providing a nutritious feed option. Furthermore, it can be grown as an ornamental plant, beautifying landscapes and gardens while attracting pollinators. With its ecological benefits, forage value, and ornamental appeal, phacelia emerges as a valuable asset in the garden and in sustainable agricultural systems aimed at enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and crop productivity.
Sow from September through to April and dig or plough in any time.
Botanical Name
Lifecycle
Sowing Time
Preferred Site
Sowing Rate
Soil Temperature for Optimum Germination
Days to Germination
Days to Maturity
Plant Height
Cover Crops are generally sown in the autumn to protect and
benefit the soil over winter, by stabilising the soil from erosion, replacing
lost nutrients and improving soil structure. Used as a Green Manure they are
dug or worked into the soil in late winter/early spring before flowering. The
broken-down organic matter will then help to provide optimal soil conditions
for spring planting.
General Definitions
Annual
A plant that completes its entire life cycle (germinates, grows a plant, flowers, produces seed, dies) in one season. It may self-sow, thereby giving the impression of being perennial. Most annuals will flower 60 to 75 days from sowing.
Hardy Annual
An annual that does not need to be germinated indoors but can be sown direct into its growing position in the garden in spring and is tolerant of frost.
Tender Annual
An annual that is frost tender and can be germinated indoors. Sowing direct or planting outdoors must not occur until all danger of frost has passed (also known as a Half-Hardy Annual).
Biennial
A plant that completes its entire life cycle in two years - growing in the first, reproducing and dying in the second. Typically, but not always, producing flowers only in the second year.
Perennial
A plant that can live for more than two years, surviving the winter and flowering each year from the second season. Perennials may flower within 90 days of sowing in their first season but will more typically flower in their second
season.
Hardy Perennial
A perennial that is frost-tolerant.
Tender Perennial
A perennial that is frost tender.
Hardy
A plant that will survive frost.
Tender
A plant that will not survive frost.
Bolting
Going to seed. Premature formation of a seed stalk, may be due to plant stress.
Botanical Name
The formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Nomenclature for plants. Identifies the genus and species to which the plant belongs useful in distinguishing plants uniquely.
Cotyledon
The seed leaves or first leaves that emerge from a germinated seed, different in form from the later true leaves.
True Leaves
The leaves that emerge after the cotyledons which are indicative of the true form
of the plant’s leaves.
Determinate
Growth stopped by development of terminal flower buds. A dwarf/bush variety which sets fruit in a concentrated period.
Indeterminate
Growth continuing indefinitely when leaf buds form at the tip of the growth. These varieties need to be staked and continue to set fruit until frost.
Heirloom
A variety that is older than two generations (50 years). Can also be referred to as “Heritage” and is always an open pollinated variety selected for garden performance (flavour, long harvest).
Hybrid
A plant resulting from a cross between two parent plants to give a genetically superior plant i.e. improved disease resistance, better vigour, more uniform harvest. Normally, seed saved from hybrids does not grow true to type.
F1 - The first generation of such a cross. Denoted in the name of the variety.
F2 - The second generation of such a cross etc.
Open Pollinated
Natural cross between plants of the same variety. Refers to non-hybrid seeds or plants.
NPK
Basic nutrient needs of plants:
Nitrogen
(N) - for green growth, healthy soil and microbial activity
Phosphorus
(P) - for flower, fruit and seed production; vigorous roots and disease resistance
Potassium
(K) - essential for building plant tissue (important for young plants) and the
quality and size of fruit.
pH A measurement for the acidity/alkalinity of soil, needed for nutrientavailability and microbial activity.
Scarification
Thepractice of scratching or notching the seed coat to assist germination. Usually
applies to hard coated seed.
Stratification
Chilling seeds to promote germination by breaking dormancy.
Viability
The ability of seeds to germinate.
Vigour
The speed and the strength
of the plant to establish well.
Delivery
Courier delivery by NZ Post.
Delivery available only to valid New Zealand
addresses.
The appropriate delivery charge will be applied at checkout.
Delivery charges are subject to change without notice.
You can track the status of your shipment via the link provided in your order confirmation email or by logging into your account online.
Click n Collect
Seed can only be collected from our warehouse at 189 Wharawhara Rd, Katikati
Select Click n Collect at the checkout
Click n Collect does not apply for collection at any Kings Seeds stockists nationwide.
Returns
Seed or Products can only be returned with authorisation from Kings Seeds.
Any request for the return of Seed or Products must be made within 14 days of delivery to info@kingsseeds.co.nz
Returned Seed or Products will only be accepted if unopened and in the same condition as when supplied and a record of
your purchase can be found
The Customer shall pay all costs in relation to return of the Seed or Products unless it is deemed a warranty issue.
Please see our Terms & Conditions of Sale for further information on our Returns Policy.
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