Mix Dwarf Black Eyed Susan Seeds

Sow Dwarf Black Eyed Susan seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow outdoors once the soil holds steady above 65°F. The seeds need light to germinate, so press them onto the surface and don't cover them. Mist gently to keep them in contact with the medium. Dwarf Black Eyed Susan seeds germinate in 7–14 days at 70–75°F, longer if your space runs cool. The seeds need cold-stratification to break dormancy and improve germination rate from 60% to closer to 90%. For that cover seeds with a damp paper towel, and put in the fridge for 30 days before sowing.

Dwarf Black Eyed Susan seeds need full sun, a minimum of 6 hours of direct light per day, or the stems stretch and the bloom count drops noticeably. They tolerate almost any soil but do best in well-drained loam with moderate fertility. Water seedlings regularly until they're established, and once done mature rudbeckias become drought tolerant. A two-inch layer of mulch keeps the root zone cool and cuts weed pressure through July and August. Soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal, but they perform fine across a wider range.

Deadhead spent flowers every week or so to prolong blooming till October. Otherwise, plants focus on seed production and stop flowering by early September. If you want a self-seeded patch the following year, leave the final round of seed heads on the plants through fall, or collect seeds and sow them manually on the desired area. For cut flowers, harvest in the morning right as the petals fully open. That way the stems hold 7–10 days in fresh water.