Marketing Name: China Blue

Id-Code: MA 060
Family: Papaveraceae
Origin: Western China
Special Features: A color so blue that can only be called heavenly
Distinction: Award of Garden Merit (A.G.M.) from The Royal Horticultural Society
Colour: Vivid blue
Natural Flowering Period: May - July
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z6-8
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Ovate medium green leaves with tiny bristles
Height with Flowers: 60 cm (24'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirements: Moist (not soggy) acidic soils enriched with organic matter, pH 5.2 - 6.2
Location: Full sun in cool summer climates, protected from winds
Use: Lovely in the rock garden or moist meadow with Rodgerisia aesculifolia, Iris kaempferi and Primula x bulleesiana
Specialities: Choice rock garden species. Also available as JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® (MG 060)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 0,286
Seeds per Gram: 3500
Seeding Recommendation: 2 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 6-7 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
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.
For the Meconopsis of Himalayan a cooling period is indispensable. Keep the seed after germination under +12°C for several additional weeks.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 4 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 8 - 10 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'')
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)