Id-Code: EG 005 - JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^®
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: Great Plains (Central USA)
Special Features: Dramatically reflexed, very narrow white petals with a pink tinge
Distinction: Only Echinacea species with white pollen
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 2006
Colour: White with pink tinge
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Slender upright stems - without branching
Foliage: Narrow and lance-shaped
Height with Flowers: 80 cm (32'')
Spacing between Plants: 60 cm (24'')
Soil Requirements: Well drained soils, pH 5.8 - 7.2
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant in the border with Chrysanthemum 'Brightside', Penstemon 'Sunburst Ruby' and Verbascum 'Wedding Candles'
Specialities: Cut flower candidate; deer and drought resistant, attract butterflies
Also available as normal seeds (EA 005)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 5
Seeds per Gram: 200
Seeding Recommendation: 7,5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72, 128
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). Do not cover the seeds but tightly press into the earth. 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: Not necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 10 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: Medium (150-200 ppm)