Id-Code: RA 202
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: North America: Pennsylvania to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas
Special Features: A colorful, underused species
Colour: Clusters of lavender-blue flowers
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z4-8
Growth Habit: Single erect stems at first, becoming multi-branched
Foliage: Mostly lanceolate; occasionally ovate
Height with Flower: 40 cm (16'')
Spacing between Plants: 40 cm (16'')
Soil Requirement: Drought resistant species adapted to open, dry woodlands, rocky slopes and dry prairies, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun or partial shade
Use: A terrific plant for the rock garden, front of the border or prairie habitats. Plant together with Campanula carpatica 'Blue Uniform', Eryngium variifolium and Festuca glauca 'Blue Select'
Specialities: Once germinated this is an easy-to-grow perennial and very durable.
Also available as JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® (RG 202)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 5,556
Seeds per Gram: 180
Seeding Recommendation: 15 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72s or open flats
Germination: The sowing must be kept warm (about +18 to 22°C) [about 64 to 72°F] and moist for the first 2-4 weeks. After this period the sowing must be kept at a cold temperature (between -4 and +4°C) [between 25 and 39°F] for another 4-6 weeks. Colder temperatures of -5°C [23°F] are only advantageous for most species of the Ranunculus family. It is not so important if the temperature is higher or lower during the cooling period, but the cooling period has to be prolonged because the synthesis of the germination inducer, hormonlike acid, slows down or comes to a standstill. It is beneficial to cover the sowing with snow during the cooling-period. The temperature below it usually keeps in the optimum range of -4 to 0°C [25 to 32°F]. The sowing is kept moist, and the melting snow helps to destroy the shell, which is advantageous for the germinating seedling. After this cooling-period the sowing may not be immediately exposed to high temperatures. The most effective temperatures are between +5 to 12°C [41 to 54°F], even if germination has started. The best location for this sowing, even in March, April and May, is the open field, the cold frame or a cold greenhouse.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 8 - 10 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 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)