Bedding / border plant - Zinnia elegans

New Entry 2009
Zinnia elegans
"Benary's Giant Wine"
Flowering period: June - November

Height > 75 cm
Spread: 50 - 75 cm
Habit: Upright
Flower type: Double
Size: 5 - 10 cm
Leaf Color Light Green
Placement: Sun
Water Average
Fertilizer need: Average
Typical use Bedding / border plant
Plant type: Annual

Class New Entry 2009

ZINNIA ELEGANS, ZINNIA 'Benarys Giant Wine'

The well-known and trusted 'Benary's Giant' Zinnia series has added another breathtaking colour. The new 'Benary's Giant Wine' has deep burgundy flower petals that resemble the colour of a rich merlot wine. Pair with 'Benary's Giant White' in the vase for a stunning cut flower presentation. Characterized by long, thick stems and a well branched habit, the 'Benary's Giant' Zinnias have large, 10-13 cm 4-5 °F fully double flowers. Their high yields, strong stems, fully double flowers and long vase life have endeared them to cut flower growers worldwide. At 100-120 cm 48'' in the garden, 'Benary's Giant' Zinnias add height and colour to full sun settings.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Crop Time:   Plug crop: 2-3 weeks; Cut flower production: 9-10 weeks

Seed Form:   Coated Seed

Seed Count:   0 K/g

Sowing Time:   April-June for cutflowers from July-September

Germination:   Stage I: 7-10 days at 20-22 °C 68-72 °F; Stage II: 5-7 days at 20-21 °C 68-70 °F; 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. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. The plant roots are very sensitive to wetness.

Growing On:   For cutflower production transplant plugs 3-4 weeks after sowing at 18-25 cm x 30 cm. Use of nets is recommendable to keep stems upright. Provide good ventilation

Media:   Use a well-drained, growing 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.

Temperature:   16-18 °C 61-64 vF, indoors not below 16 °C. Zinnia does tolerate high temperatures of 25 °C 77 °F and more. Avoid temperatures below 16 °C 61 °F as low temperatures may cause yellow leaves. Zinnia prefers a warm and sunny location.

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, 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. Avoid boron deficiency as this may cause flower bud abortion and reduced branching. Excess baron delays flowering. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Field: N min soil value: approximately 120 g N/m².

Cultural Hints:   Flowers initiate faster under short days. Flower quality improves as light levels, temperature and day length increase. Cut flowers, when flowers are open and pollen becomes visible.

* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
Stage I: Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II: Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III: Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV: All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.

Hint:
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.