ZINNIA ELEGANS, ZINNIA Zinnita

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Asteraceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:18 cm, 7,09 inch

Flower Size:4,5 cm, 1,77 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop:4 weeks; Flowering pots: 6-8 weeks

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:200 K/g

Sowing Time:February-June

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug, can be sown directly into final pot

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:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (9-11 cm) or pack and 3-4 plants into a (3-5 l). Early transplantation improves the branching.

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.

Photoperiod/ Light:Optional short day plants. Short days supports the flower initiation and flower development, but the stems are weak and the diameter of flowers is small. Long days supports strong 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) in the plug stage up to 2 weeks after transplantation will improve the plant quality. By very late sowing in summer plants cultivate at short days (9 h) by darkening with fleece for an earlier flowering.

Temperature:Grow at 15-16 °C. Temperatures below 10 °C support yellow leaves. Zinnia does tolerate high temperatures of 25 °C, but does not tolerate frost. For selling it is recommended to harden the plants slowly at 12-14 °C.

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, because high nitrogen level will result in soft stems. Stems 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. Nutrition deficiency supports a poor branching. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates.