Marketing Name: China Blue

Id-Code: MG 060 - JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^®
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 normal seeds (MA 060)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 0,37
Seeds per Gram: 2700
Seeding Recommendation: 1 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 3-4 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
Germination: JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® germinate after 3 - 4 weeks, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about + 20°C (68°F). Seeds must be covered thinly. After germination, the seedlings must be kept cool (+5 to 10°C) (41 to 50°F) in the months with less daylight hours, but must not be exposed to frost. At this time, it is of great benefit if the seedlings can receive at least 12 hours of light per day.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
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)