Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea (Coneflower) have always been a mainstay in the sunny perennial garden. Their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years due to intensive breeding programs that have produced fantastic new colors and introduced double and semi-double forms. They tolerate a wide range of conditions, including heat and drought. Plant in full sun, in average soil. Attractive cone heads add winter interest and are good for dried arrangements.
Plant: Center in pot and plant crown at or just below the soil surface. If planting plugs, make sure plug trays have been watered prior to transplanting. This will ensure quick and even root penetration into the surrounding new soil. If plugs are root bound, loosen the roots in the lower third of the plug prior to transplanting.
Grow: Grow in full sun at 55 - 60F minimum night temperatures. After growth appears, fertilize with 200 ppm Nitrogen every 7-10 days. Too much fertilizer can lead to root and crown rot.
Lightning: For early spring plantings, Echinacea will finish quicker if grown under long days. Provide supplemental night interruption light for a minimum of 14 hours light
PGR's: Most commercially available plant growth regulators are effective in controlling plant height. Consult label instructions.
Diseases: Mostly susceptible to botrytis, pythium, and aster yellow. Use preventive fungicides and good cultural practices to reduce susceptibility.
| Growing Temperature: | 55-60F minimum night temperatures |
|---|---|
| Soil pH: | 5.5-6.5 |
| Fertility: | Too much fertilizer can lead to root and crow rot. |
| Pests and Diseases: | Be on the lookout for aphids, leadhoppers. And whiteflies. Echinacea are also susceptible to aster yellow, botrytis, crown and root rot, leaf sports and powdery mildew. Good cluture practives can prevent many of these issues from occuring. These problems can be dected though routine scouting and if necessary, control strategies can be implemented as needed. |
| Potting and Timing: | |
| Moisture: | Echinacea do not like to be overwatered. Kepp the soil moist but not consistently wet after transplanting to facilitate root and shoot growth. Once they are established and actively growing, allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. |
| Planting Level: | At crown level. |
| PGRs/Pinching: | Most commercially available plant growth regulators are effective in controlling plant height. Consult label instrutions. |
| Lighting: | Echinacea are considered intermediate day plants, requiring 12 to 16 hours of day length to flower. Day lengths less than 12 or more than 16 hours will tend to keep the plants in a vegetative state.
When day lengths are short and flowers are desired, provide 4 hour night interruption |
