Id-Code: KA 041
Family: Asphodelaceae, Liliaceae
Origin: South Africa
Special Features: Hardiest Red Hot Poker, colorful blooms and low-growing
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 2006
Colour: Coral red, turning yellow
Natural Flowering Period: June - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z4-9
Growth Habit: Low-growing thick clumps
Foliage: Arching, narrow and rough to the touch; striking blue green
Height with Flowers: 50 cm (20'')
Spacing between Plants: 50 cm (20'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Drought resistant, low-growing seed strain that could be used in the rock garden or the front of the border with Oenothera 'Yella Fella', Penstemon 'Sunburst Amethyst' and Sedum selskianum 'Goldilocks'
Specialities: Excellent in containers, too. Cut flower candidate. Also available as JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® (KG 041)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 2,857
Seeds per Gram: 350
Seeding Recommendation: 5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: These seeds germinate rapidly depending on species and origin. If germination does not occur after 3-4 weeks a cooling period of 2-4 weeks is recommended.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 4 - 6 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 3 - 4 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 4 - 8 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 8/9 cm (3 1/2''); 1-2 plugs per 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)