This non hardy annual has very unusual, large trumpet-shaped flowers. They stand high on sturdy light green stems and are surrounded with light green laciniated leaves. It originates from Chile and doesn't like wet feet. Painted Tongue mixed consists of flowers in purple, white, pink and lilac with contrasting and unusual tongues. Very well suited for the growing in large flowerpots and containers. Can also be used as a cutflower when picked before the flowers are open. It's also a very striking and beautiful eye-catcher in any garden or border. Non hardy annual. Height: 70 cm.
Indoor sowing: middle of march - middle of april
Outdoor sowing: middle of april - end of may
Germination: 14 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 21 - 24 °C
Sowing depth: shallow - ½ cm
Plant distance: 25 - 30 cm
Plant position: sunny - half shade
Flowering period: may - august
Sow indoors in trays filled with moist potting soil from the middle of march. Sow the fine and very tiny seeds shallow and cover them with a layer of soil approx. 1 cm thick, because this plant is a dark germinator. Cover the trays with a lid to retain the moisture. Keep the temperature as even as possible during the germination. Don't let the temperature drop during the nights. Remove the lid when the seedlings emerge. Transplant the seedlings to seperate pots, when they're approx. 7 cm in size. Only water the plants, in this stage., when the top layer of the soil dries out.
Harden the plants of from the beginning of may. Put them outdoors during the day for approx. 10 - 14 days or put them in a cold frame. Put the plants on a sunny plot with some shade and shelter, from the middle of may.
Sow outdoors from the middle of april, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrost. You can sow in rows approx. 15 cm apart. Mix the fine and very tiny seeds with some dry sand to make it easier to sow the seeds. Sow on a very sunny plot with shelter against the wind and free draining soil. Cover the seeds with a layer of soil of approx. 1 cm thick, because this plant is a dark germinator. Keep moist till the seeds are germinated, but not to wet. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, to 25 - 30 cm apart. Support the flowers and don't let them dry out during dry spells. Make sure the roots don't get waterlogged. Deadhead ofter to ensure a longer flowering period.
