Id-Code: AA 290
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: Southwest Asia
Special Features: Lovely light apricot, saucer-shaped double blossoms.
See also 'Chaters chestnut-brown', 'Chaters pink', 'Chaters purple', 'Chaters red (scarlet)', 'Chaters salmon pink', 'Chaters violet', 'Chaters white', 'Chaters yellow', 'Chaters magnificent mixture'
History: Origin of species is debatable but most likely found along the Silk Road from Turkey to Asia
Colour: Light apricot
Natural Flowering Period: May - October
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-10
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Medium green colored leaves that are round with lobed and pleated edges
Height with Flower: 180 cm (72'')
Spacing between Plants: 60 cm (34'')
Soil Requirement: Any average soil, pH 5.8 - 7.2
Location: Full Sun
Use: A popular self-sowing, biennial that has been long associated with cottage gardens. Plant together with Penstemon 'Sunburst Amethyst', Peucedanum verticillare and Digitalis 'Snow Thimble'
Specialities: Also available as JET® pure seeds (AT 290)
Cultural Tips:
Scheduling:
Growing On:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 7,692
Seeds per Gram: 130
Seeding Recommendation: 25 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 4 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72, 128
Germination: These seeds must be covered with a layer seed kernel diameter. Keep daytime temperatures at approximately +20°C [68°F], and keep the moisture constant. The seeds must be kept in the light and moderately warm after germination.
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 4 - 6 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)
