Id-Code: AG 094 - JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^®
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Europe, Asia and North America
Special Features: Spikes of deep blue hooded flowers
History: All plant parts are toxic including the roots. Aconitum was used by the barbarians to poison the tips of their arrows.
Colour: Deep blue
Natural Flowering Period: June - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-7
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Bright green lobed leaves
Height with Flowers: 90 cm (36'')
Spacing between Plants: 75 cm (30'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant in the summer border with Echinacea 'Rocky Top Hybr.', Penstemon x mexicale 'Sunburst Ruby' and Peucedanum verticillare
Specialities: Cut flower candidate. Also available as normal seeds (AA 094)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 2,5
Seeds per Gram: 400
Seeding Recommendation: 5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72s or deep open flats
Germination: JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® germinate after 3 - 4 weeks, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about + 20°C (68°F). Seeds must be covered thinly. After germination, the seedlings must be kept cool (+5 to 10°C) (41 to 50°F) in the months with less daylight hours, but must not be exposed to frost. At this time, it is of great benefit if the seedlings can receive at least 12 hours of light per day.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 3 - 4 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2 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: High (200-300 ppm)