Id-Code: RA 164
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: USA (Conneticut to North Carolina, west to Michigan and Missouri)
Special Features: A durable, low maintenance, pest-free plant. Among the most popular of all perennials.
History: The Bot. Garden of the University Graz received seed from USA and also handed them to Gebr. Schütz. During a privat visit Heinrich Hagemann (at this time the headgardener at Karl Foerster's nursery) noticed the plant and brought them to Karl Foerster's nursery in Potsdam, Germany in 1937. Seeing the flowers in 1938 for the first time, Foerster annointed this North American species 'Goldsturm' (Gold Sturm'). Contrary to popular belief, Foerster never made a single selection. 'Goldsturm' is a seed strain. Distinction: Award of Garden Merit (A.G.M.) from The Royal Horticultural Society and selected as Perennial Plant of the year from the PPA (Perennial Plant Association)
Colour: Bright yellow-rayed flowers with a brown-eye
Natural Flowering Period: July - October
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Upright / Rounded
Foliage: Basal rosettes of ovate, dark green leaves
Height with Flower: 70 cm (28'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirement: Any soils not to dry
Location: Full sun to partial shade
Use: Combines with Stokesia 'Omega Skyrocket', Eupatorium purpureum, Silphium, Rumex sanguineus ssp. sanguineus and Pennisetum alopecuroides
Specialities: Outstanding in mass plantings.
Also available as JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® (RG 164)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 1
Seeds per Gram: 1000
Seeding Recommendation: 3 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 - 8 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 4 - 6 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: A prudent recommendation would be to provide 6-12 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)