Rudbeckia hirta grow and care – herbaceous of the genus Rudbeckia also known as Black eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta perennial evergreen or annual plant, used as ornamental attract pollinators plant, as cut flower or as medical plant, can grow in temperate, mediterranean or subtropical climate and growing as perennial in hardiness zone 4-10a and as annual 2-3 or 10b-11, with the right care possible to grow it in hardiness zone 10a as perennial.
How to grow Rudbeckia hirta – growing condition and care:
Well-drained soil, rich soil, better to add mulch
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed (sowing explanation bellow) / Vegetative reproduction start with cutting better to start with stems without flowers and better in spring, cutting possible to put in water and switch the water every few days or put the stem in soil better peat soil and better with root growth hormone, in both cutting methods better to do it in warm season, with high humidity
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No
Difficulties or problems when growing: Aggressive
Planting season: Spring as annual plant in hardiness zone 2-3, spring to summer hardiness zone 4-9, spring to autumn in hardiness zone 10a, autumn to early spring hardiness zone 10b, autumn in hardiness zone 11 as annual.
Pests and diseases: Aphids, slugs
Pruning season: Autumn / Winter
How to prune: Dead leaves and bloom stems
Size of the plant: 30-100 cm, 12-40 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition: Fast growing / Medium growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun to half shade, will grow better in full sun and bloom more
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, when grow in container, size 5-15 liter (1.5-4 gallon) depend the cultivar, average amount of water that needed, it’s to keep the soil moist and the water go out of the pot, better not to use bottom for the pot, when it’s grow as perennial every two years to switch soil, and prune part of the roots and the plants, soil need to be well ventilated with good drainage, rich with organic matter, can us in potting mix or peat soil with perlite or vermiculite.
Blooming information
Bloom season? Summer / Autumn (in warmer climate in the spring)
General information about the flower: Daisy shape flowers, color can be: orange, yellow or red with black in the middle
How to grow Rudbeckia hirta from seeds
Sowing requirement: Temperature 20C-26C (68-80) better 25C
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark place in room temperature
Sowing season: Spring after last frost to summer in hardiness zone 3-10a (better to sow it indoor in the end of the winter), autumn to spring in hardiness zone 10b-11a, all year in hardiness zone 11b+
Planting spacing: 15*20cm (6*8 inches)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5-1cm, 0.25-0.5 inches
Conditions for seeds germinate: Moist soil, full sun
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Germination time: 1-3 weeks
Condition of seedling: Moist soil, full sun, better above 20C (68F)
