Quick Reference:

Annual, a plant that completes it’s life cycle in one season. Cover seed with 1/8 inch fine soil spaced 1 inch apart. Germinates in 10 to 20 days at an optimum soil temperature of 65 degrees F. Seeds are very fine and germinate best in darkness. Cover seed container with black plastic until seedlings emerge. Must be planted in full sun. Ideal spacing in the garden is 6 to 12 inches. Plant height: 8 to 12 inches.

When and Where to Plant:

Livingstone daisies require full sun, the flowers open only on sunny days, grow in sandy, well drained soil and like Alaska's cool summer. When the seed is planted directly in the garden after the last frost Livingstone daisies will blossom late summer in Alaska, for an earlier and longer blooming season start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the garden is ready. Fill a container that has drainage holes with a sterilized, well drained, potting soil, sprinkle seed on soil surface, cover lightly with fine soil, seed requires darkness to fully germinate, water well for good seed-soil contact, cover container with black plastic to provide darkness and keep moderately moist until seedlings emerge. Remove plastic immediately when seedlings start to break through the soil. When seedlings show their first green leaves water with a liquid solution of plant food, repeating every two weeks and move container to a sunny location with cool night temperatures, 50 to 55 degrees F. Soon after the seedlings have their true leaves, transplant to individual plastic pots and continue growing them in a sunny area until the garden is ready. Select a location with full sun, cultivate, enrich with plant food and transplant in the garden after all danger of frost is past. Livingstone daisies transplant easily.

Care:

Water moderately when the plants are growing and only sparingly as the plants begin to flower. Plants are drought tolerant. Water with a liquid solution of plant food when they begin to bloom. Shear the spent flowers to encourage additional bloom.