Marketing Name: Silver Spikes, Zulu Warrior

Id-Code: BA 048
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: South Africa
Special Features: Drought resistant, long-blooming, large lavender daisies
Colour: Lavender to pale purple
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z6-10
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Prickly, silver-green foliage
Height with Flowers: 70 cm (28'')
Spacing between Plants: 70 cm (28'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils, pH 6.2 - 7.2
Location: Full Sun
Use: Plant in the garden with Asclepias tuberosa, Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' and Echinops 'Arctic Glow'
Specialities: First year flowering

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 3,846
Seeds per Gram: 260
Seeding Recommendation: 10 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72, 128
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. The germination might be slower and more irregular. This poses no problems.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 3 - 4 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 8 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs 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)