Marketing Name: Orange Queen

Id-Code: LA 200
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: China and Japan
Special Features: Large, decorative foliage and orange-yellow blooms
Colour: Orange-yellow
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Clumping
Foliage: Large, rounded kidney-shaped leaves - with toothed edges - on long petioles
Height with Flowers: 100 cm (40'')
Spacing between Plants: 100 cm (40'')
Soil Requirements: Evenly moist, organic soils, pH 5.5 - 6.8
Location: Full sun in cool summer climates to partial shade elsewhere
Use: Bold groupings of 6 or more are eye-catching. Can also be mixed in the border with Aconitum 'Newry Blue', Astrantia 'Ruby Cloud' and Lilium martagon 'Painted Ladies'
Specialities: Easy from seed

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 8,333
Seeds per Gram: 120
Seeding Recommendation: 30 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 4-5 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. The germination might be slower and more irregular. This poses no problems.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 8 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 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: This species is not a suitable candidate for forcing.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)