Id-Code: SA 434
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: USA: Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming
Special features: Early flowering with white blossoms
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 1989
Colour: Erect stems densely clothed with pristine white flowers
Natural Flowering Period: June - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-8
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Handsome, glossy, roundish basal leaves; upper leaves 5 - 7 parted
Height with Flowers: 90 cm (36'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirements: Any well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant together with Amsonia hubrichtii, Digitalis ferruginea 'Gigantea Gelber Herold', Eryngium 'Blaukappe' and Lupinus 'Carnival Mixture'
Specialities: Put Sidalceas to use as a smaller version of hollyhocks.
Also available as JELITTO GOLD NUGGET SEED^® (SG 434)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 2,857
Seeds per Gram: 350
Seeding Recommendation: 10 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 3-4 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. It is not so important if the temperature is higher of lower during the cooling period, but the cooling period has to be prolonged because the synthesis of the germination inducer, homonlike acid, slows down or comes to a standstill.
It is beneficial to cover the sowing with snow during the cooling period. 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 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 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 8 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: 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: 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)