Zinnia - Aurora

Two-tone blooms in a vintage palette. Aurora is a brand new variety featuring unique two-tone flowers with contrasting centers. Early flowering plants produce 4-6" wide dahlia-shaped double blooms. Hues of apricot, butter yellow, coral, gold, orange, and pink give this special mix a nuanced vintage look that sets it apart. May yield a small percentage of semidouble or single blooms and approximately 5% cactus-flowered blooms.

25 organic seeds

KEY GROWING INFORMATION

DAYS TO GERMINATION:

3-5 days at 80-85°F (27-29°C)

SOWING:

Transplant (recommended) - Sow into 72-cell flats or preferred seedling container 4 weeks before planting out. Cover seeds. A heat mat will help maintain an accurate temperature. Lower temperatures will result in slower germination: 5-7 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C). Do not allow plants to become root bound and avoid disturbing roots; transplant shock or other stress events may cause double-flowering varieties to produce single blooms for a period following stress. Direct seed - Sow 1/4" deep. Succession-sow/plant every 2 weeks for prolonged yields of high-quality stems. Pinching of initial bud or bloom and subsequent deadheading is recommended to encourage strong branching and bloom production. Very sensitive to frost.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:

Sun.

PLANT HEIGHT:

30-40".

PLANT SPACING:

9-12".

HARDINESS ZONES:

Annual.

HARVEST:

Before completely open. Stem is firm from point of cut to just below the bloom.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

Fertile soil rich in organic matter. pH: 6.3-6.8 preferred.

USES:

Taller varieties make excellent cut flowers. Beds, borders, and mass plantings.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Zinnia spp.