Growing Rudbeckia from seed:

• Long Lasting Blooms: Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan, offers a vibrant display of daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, gold, orange, and even deep red. These hardy blooms last from midsummer to early fall, making them a fantastic choice for adding consistent color to your garden.

• Low Maintenance and Resilient: Rudbeckia is easy to grow and thrives in a variety of conditions. It tolerates drought, poor soil, and heat, making it a perfect option for beginner gardeners or those in challenging climates. Plus, it's resistant to many common pests and diseases.

• Pollinator Friendly: Rudbeckia attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting biodiversity and helping your garden flourish. Additionally, its seed heads provide food for birds in the fall and winter, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Quick Guide

Start Indoors (recommended):

• Timing: 5-6 weeks before last spring frost

• Seed Depth: Cover seeds lightly (light needed)

• Germination time: 8-14 days

• Transplant out: On last frost date

Direct Sow:

• Timing: 1-2 weeks before last spring frost.

• Seed Depth: Cover seeds lightly

Plant Specifications

Light Preference

Plant Height

Plant Spacing

Hardiness

Full Sun

Varies

12-18"

Varies

Step-by-Step Instructions - Starting Seeds Indoors

Collect Supplies:

• Seeds

• Seed starting trays or pots

• Seed starting mix (sterile)

• Labels and a marker

• Plastic wrap or a humidity dome

• Spray bottle or watering can with a fine nozzle

• Grow lights or a sunny windowsill

  Timing

  • When to Start: Begin the process about 5 to 6 weeks before planting out.

  Preparation

  • Clean Containers: Sterilize your seed starting trays or pots to prevent disease.

  • Moisten Seed Mix: Slightly moisten your seed starting mix so it's damp but not soggy.

  Planting Seeds

  • Fill Trays: Fill each cell in the seed tray with the moist seed starting mix.

  • Sow Seeds: Place 1-2 seeds in each cell.

  • Label Trays: Label each tray or pot with the variety and the planting date.

  Germination

  • Cover Seeds: Lightly cover seeds and add a thin layer of fine vermiculite to prevent algae growth on soil surface.

  • Moisten Surface: Use a spray bottle to mist the top of the soil.

  • Create Humidity: Cover the seed trays with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to maintain moisture.

  • Warmth: Place the trays in a warm location (70-75°F or 21-24°C). A heat mat can help.

  Light and Watering

  • Lighting: Once the seeds germinate (about 8-14 days), remove the cover and place the seedlings under grow lights or in a sunny windowsill. Provide 12-16 hours of light per day.

  • Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water from the bottom if possible to prevent damping-off disease.

  Take Care of Seedlings

  • Thinning: Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell or pot.

  • Hardening Off: About a week before transplanting outdoors, start to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing time periods each day.

  Transplanting Outdoors

  • Timing: Transplant the seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

  • Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Amend with compost if needed.

  • Planting: Plant seedlings 12-18 inches apart, depending on the variety.

  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting.