Gaillardia aristata Pursh. is a perennial herb of the genus Gaillardia in the Asteraceae family. It is 60-100 cm tall and has thick internode hairs throughout the plant. The stem is unbranched or slightly branched. The basal leaves and lower stem leaves are oblong or spoon-shaped; the middle stem leaves are lanceolate, oblong or spoon-shaped. The ligulate flowers are yellow; the tubular flowers have glandular dots on the outside, the lobes are long triangular, the top is awn-shaped and gradually pointed, and are covered with internode hairs. The achenes are 2 mm long and covered with hairs. The flowering and fruiting period is July-August. Gaillardia aristata can be used for garden cultivation.

application:

It can be used as an annual or perennial flower. The pot transplanting period starts in May and is suitable for planting in edge flower beds and perennial gardens.

Cultivation period:

Greening (plug seedlings): 5 to 6 weeks; pot planting: 8 to 10 weeks; total cultivation time (from sowing to flowering): 13 to 16 weeks.

Seed weight:

Friction treated type, about 400 grains/gram.

Sowing period:

If you want it to bloom from May to July, sow the seeds in January to February.

Seeding substrate:

Loose, humus-rich, lightly fertilized (compound fertilizer 0.5-1.0 kg/m3, containing iron and trace elements), well-drained substrate. pH value is 6.0-6.5.

Budding:

It takes 10 to 12 days when the temperature is 18°C ​​to 20°C.

Germination conditions and management:

Germination requires light. After sowing, press the seeds lightly, maintain balanced humidity, and provide light. Avoid direct sunlight. After the cotyledons grow, control the water content of the substrate and continue to dry the cultivation. The seedlings cannot tolerate waterlogging. Growth period II to IV: 12 to 35 days at a temperature of 16°C to 18°C.

Basin:

Transplant to pots 4 weeks after sowing. You can transplant one plant into a 10-13 cm pot, or 3 plants into a 16-29 cm container.

Potting substrate:

A loose, humus-rich matrix containing 15% to 30% clay, less than 15% additives (such as perlite, bark humus, sand), topdressing 3 kg/m3 slow-release fertilizer (release period 3 to 6 months), pH 6 to 6.5.

temperature:

12°C~16°C. Ventilated temperature 19°C or open air cultivation. In the absence of frost, the plant can be wintered at 3~5°C or open air. It is recommended to cover it with a woven net.

illumination:

Perennial cosmos are very sensitive to day length. Long days (12 to 16 hours) stimulate flowering, but the best plant shape is formed under short days. The higher the growth temperature and the stronger the light under short days, the better the plant shape will be. Therefore, in the season with less daylight, it is necessary to supplement assimilated light or shorten the night length.

Fertilization:

The demand for fertilizer is very high. After 2 weeks of potting, apply balanced compound fertilizer with about 130-150 mg/L of nitrogen every week; the nitrogen-potassium ratio (N: K20) is 1:1; the substrate contains 3 kg/m3 of slow-release fertilizer. In the later stage of cultivation, the nitrogen-potassium ratio (N:K20) is changed to 1:2.

Cultivation Tips:

Very sensitive to waterlogging. Cultivate as dry as possible. Water again after it has dried out sufficiently. Too wet soil will affect product quality. Ensure good drainage when cultivating all day.

【Variety Introduction】

Arizona Sun is about 30 cm tall and does not require vernalization. It thrives in a warm and sunny environment. The flowers of Arizona Sun are bright red with bright yellow edges. The flower stems are about 10 cm. It blooms earlier than other vines and continues until autumn. AAS and FS award-winning variety. Excellent garden performance and good uniformity of plant shape.

Goblin is about 35 cm tall, with red petals with yellow edges, and a dense, clumping plant shape.