Id-Code: EG 008 - JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^®
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: Southeastern USA
Special Features: Upward curving, deep pink blossoms all face the same direction
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEED in 2003
Colour: Deep pink flowers
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z4-9
Growth Habit: Upright clump
Foliage: Medium green, narrow lanceolate leaves
Height with Flower: 60 cm (24'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirement: Well-drained soils; pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant in a border or natural garden together with Pennisetum alopecuroides, Trifolium rubens, and Knautia macedonica 'Mars Midget'
Specialities: Long blooming and very adaptable to soil and climate conditions.
Also available as normal seeds (EA008)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 4
Seeds per Gram: 250
Seeding Recommendation: 6 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 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). 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 Date: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 3 - 4 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: Some flowering will occur the first year without vernalization, but improved flowering will occur the 2nd year; and 3-10 weeks of cool temperatures might benefit fuller flowering in the first year.
Forcing: There has been no research on 'Rocky Top Hybr.', but 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. Some later flowering species can be forced in 14 - 16 weeks and perhaps sooner at warmer temperatures. Further experiments are warranted with 'Rocky Top Hybr.'.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)