Germination temperatures are very critical, and light is required. Optimum temperature is 25C. Lower temperatures are allowable, but higher temperatures are not recommended for germination through early rosette development. Older plants tolerate higher temperatures, at least up to 30C, but maintenance of 25C is still recommended for the entire growth period. Growth chambers are set at 25C. Greenhouses are set at 23C unless temperature control is exceptionally good. Supplemental evening and morning light is provided in the greenhouse during winter since the plants generally require a long photoperiod for flowering.
Continuous light is well-tolerated and can be used to accelerate the reproductive cycle.
After germination plants are watered as needed to avoid water stress. We generally water plants by subirrigation for the first few weeks. Over-watering should also be avoided due to the potential for algal or fungal growth on the soil surface. If algae cover the soil, allowing the pots to dry is indicated, and algae can be scraped from the soil surface with care. Water requirement of plants increases dramatically during silique filling.