Rudbeckia triloba

Germination

Sow indoors. Sow seed onto moist well-drained seed compost. Just cover with a fine layer of vermiculite. Propagate +20°C. Keep soil moist but not wet. Germination takes 10-15 days. If there is no germination in 3-4 weeks cold stratify, move to -4°C-+4°C for 4 weeks then return to warmth. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots. Grow on in cooler conditions. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed with 90cm spacing.

Growing

Prefers a moist well-drained soil in full sun. Do not allow soil to dry out. Mulch if soil is prone to drying out.

Cultivation

Divide plant every 2-3 years to maintain plant vigour. Divide in spring as soon as new growth starts to appear. Plant large divisions directly. Smaller divisions should be potted up and grown on in a greenhouse until well established and planted out the following spring.