Id-Code: KA 036
Family: Dipsacaceae
Origin: Central Europe
Special features: The pincushion plant flowers tirelessly and abundantly and gently self-sows, but not to worry, it never becomes a problem
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 2002
Colour: Flating, 5 cm (2'') wide brilliant ruby-red gems
Natural Flowering Period: June - October
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-10
Growth Habit: Shorter and more compact than the species and therefore sturdier
Foliage: Widely branching flowering stems, topped with dozens of floating gems
Height with Flower: 40 cm (16'')
Spacing between Plants: 50 cm (20'')
Soil Requirement: Likes lean soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun to partial shade
Use: Plant together with Anchusa azurea 'Feltham Pride Strain', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
Specialities: Extremely robust, self-sowing, a valuable, long flowering perennial, attracts butterflies to feed and rest. Besides its enhanced appeal for the border, or containers, 'Mars Midget' could also be considered for cut-flowers

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: 4 - 8 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'')
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 'Mars Midget', 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 'Mars Midget'.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)