Zinnia Oklahoma

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:88 cm,34,65 inch

Flower Size:5 cm,1,97 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering pots: 10-12 weeks; Cut flower production: 10-16 weeks

Sell Period:July-September

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:154 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:Stage I: 7-10 days at 20-22 °C; Stage II: 5-7 days at 20-21 °C; Stage III: 7-10 days at 18-20 °C; Stage IV: 17-18 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.2. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. The plant roots are very sensitive to wetness.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:3 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-11 cm) or pack and 3-4 plants into a (5-10 l). For flowering pot production ensure good pot size, to encourage root growth, thus improving plant quality. Early transplantation improves the branching. Plant cut flowers (frost free) in 18x25 cm space and use nets to keep the stems upright. Planting in intervals for a regular harvest. Protect the young plants against frost at night.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.2. Field: loamy, sandy, humus soils with good drainage. Disinfect the soils in greenhouse or polytunnel before planting. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Photoperiod / Light:Optional short day plants. Short days support the flower initiation and flower development, but the stems weak and the diameter of flowers is small. Long days supports strongly plants with long stems, but the flowering is delayed. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light (22-32 klx) and long day (14-16 h) during the plug stage up to 2 weeks after transplantation will improve the plant quality. For very late sowing in summer cultivate plants at short day conditions (9 h) by darkening with fleece for an earlier flowering.

Temperature:Grow at 15-16 °C or outdoors. Temperatures below 10 °C promote yellow leaves. Zinnia does tolerate high temperatures of 25 °C, but does not tolerate frost. It is recommended to harden for selling the plants slowly at 12-14 °C. In field Zinnia prefers warm and sunny location. Protect the plants against wind.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, but high nitrogen levels results in soft stems. Stems that are too soft will break underneath the flower. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Field: N min soil value: approximately 120 g N/m2.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flowers are just open and if the stems are not soft. Remove the bottom leaves. Vase life: 6-10 days. Cold storage is not recommended. Cut the stems as long as possible, marking sure that enough eyes are left on the stem to produce new stems.

Cultural Hints:Pinching of the plant tops is not required and will only increase the cultivation time by 2 weeks. The plants have a good branching. Cultivate with a constantly water supply, because the roots are very sensitive to substrates that are too wet or too dry. Drought stress can be a cause for necrosis on leaf edges. Zinnia prefers a warm and sunny location. Protect the plants outdoors against wind.