SOWING:
Transplant: Direct seed (recommended): As soon as soil can be worked in spring. Cover seed with 1/8" fine soil. Darkness is required for germination. Thin when first true leaves appear. Transplant: Sow 4-6 weeks before planting out in the cool spring temperatures. These plants dislike root disturbance, so start the larger plug trays.. Cover seed, as darkness is required for germination. Carefully transplant outdoors when first true leaves appear.
Germination Requirements: Cover seeds as darkness is needed for germination.
Days to Germination: Germinates in 5-10 days at 60-65°F (16-18°C)
GROWING:
Light Preference: Sun
Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, well-drained sandy soil.
Winter Hardiness: Generally classified as a half-hardy annual. While it can tolerate light frosts and cool temperatures, it is sensitive to severe cold. Thrives best when planted after the danger of hard frost has passed. That said, it can be direct sown early in the spring when the soil is workable.
Plant Height: 8-12 inches
Plant Spacing: 6-9 inches for cutflowers, 9-12” for landscape
Pinching: Pinch when plants are 3-4 inches tall to encourage branching and stem lengthening. You may need to pinch 2-3 times to get a stems over 12 inches.
Flower Support: Not recommended.
Days to Bloom: 50 - 65 days
HARVEST AND VASE LIFE:
Yield: 3-5 stems or more per plant
Harvest Fresh:The harvest window ranges from when 1-2 flowers are opening on a stem to when 50% of the flowers are open. Flowers will continue to open after cutting.
Expected Vase Life: 6 to 9 days
Seed Saving: When the flower fades, small round seed pods will form. When the pods have turned brown, it’s time to harvest. Because the seeds mature at different times on the same stem, you’ll need to harvest the seeds several times over the course of the season. Don’t wait too long to harvest - as the pods dry, they will pop open and scatter the seeds everywhere.
USES:
Cut Flower, Garden Beds, and Container Planting
