Id-Code: RA 181
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: North America: Ohio and Michigan south to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and northeast Texas
Special Features: 2010 Jelitto introduction to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the award winning 'Magnus'. The result: darker blooms and stems color, plus more consistent growth
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 2010
Colour: Dark carmine-red
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Ovate-lanceolate; 20x10 cm (8'' x 3'')
Height with Flowers: 100 cm (40'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full Sun
Use: Plant 'Magnus Superior' in mass plantings or can be combined in the border with Lavatera 'First Light', Penstemon 'Sunburst Colours' and Eupatorium aromaticum
Specialities: Cut flowers and decorative seed heads

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 4
Seeds per Gram: 250
Seeding Recommendation: 10 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72, 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 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: Some flowering will occur the first year without vernalization, but improved flowering will occur the 2nd year; and 3-10 weeks of cool temperatures might benefit fuller flowering in the first year.
Forcing: There has been no research on 'Magnus Superior', but 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. Some later flowering species can be forced in 14 - 16 weeks and perhaps sooner at warmer temperatures. Further experiments are warranted with 'Magnus Superior'.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)