Grower Facts

Helenium Amarum Dakota(Helenium amarum)

Germination:Light is not required for germination. Cover the tray with vermiculite. Recommended tray size is 288 to 128 cell (with a multi-seeded pellet).

Plug Production
Media: Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.3 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction).
Sowing: Recommended tray size is 288 to 128 cell (with a multi-seeded pellet). Cover the tray with vermiculite.
Temperature: Germination: 65 to 75°F (18 to 22°C) Seed germinates in 3 to 5 days at the recommended temperatures. Stage 2 to 3: 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C)
Light: Light is not required for germination.
Humidity: Maintain 95% relative humidity until cotyledons emerge.
Soil Moisture: Keep soil moisture high until radicle emergence, than reduce moisture levels after the radicle penetrates the medium. Do not allow the seedlings to wilt.

Fertilizing
At radicle emergence: Apply 50 to 75 ppm N from 15-0-15.
As cotyledons expand: Increase to 100 to 150 ppm N.
If growth is slow: Apply 20-10-20 with every third fertilization. Maintain medium EC between 1.0 and 1.5 mmhos/cm (1:2 extraction).
Growth Regulators: No growth regulators are required.

Growing On to Finish
Media: Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 and a medium initial nutrient charge.
Temperature: Nights: 64 to 66°F (18 to 19°C), Days: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
This plant likes heat to grow. Higher temperatures result in a faster crop time.
Light: As high as possible.
Photoperiod: Plants will flower regardless of daylength, but the growing habit is quite related to daylength. Plants grow slowly when grown under daylengths shorter than 12 hours and become very flat or even rosette when grown under daylengths shorter than 10 hours. Growing plants under long days (12 hours or more) is recommended.
Irrigation: Avoid both excess watering and drought.
Fertilizer: Feed plants weekly with 200 ppm N in a complete fertilizer.
Growth Regulators: Generally not required. If necessary, B-Nine 5,000 ppm spray can be used about 2 weeks after transplant for height control. This treatment can also prolong shelf life.
Pinching: Pinching is not required.

Common Problems
Insects: Aphids
Diseases: Powdery mildew