Id-Code: KA 034
Family: Dipsacaceae
Origin: Central Europe
Special features: Deep crimson-colored pincushion-like blossoms which have a commanding garden presence
Colour: Deep red
Natural Flowering Period: July - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-10
Growth Habit: Clumping, upright
Foliage: Basal leaves lyrate, upper leaves pinnatifid
Height with Flowers: 80 cm (32'')
Spacing between Plants: 50 cm (20'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant together in the border with Euphorbia dulcis 'Chameleon', Geranium pratense 'Striatum' (Splish Splash) and Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue'
Specialities: Good cutflower

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 4,545
Seeds per Gram: 220
Seeding Recommendation: 15 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: These perennial seeds germinate very irregularly over a long period. Lower temperatues of less than +5°C (41°F) are very effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prematurely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not leave in direct sunlight.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 4 - 8 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 6 - 10
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 4 - 8 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
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: There has been no research on KNAUTIA macedonica, 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 KNAUTIA macedonica.
Fertilization: Light (100-150 ppm)