All major seed suppliers provide performance descriptions of varieties and series for cut flower production in their advertisements and catalogs. Disease resistance, heat tolerance, stem length, and ‘true-to-type’ are just some of the detailed attributes growers seek to provide high quality cut flowers to market. This study compared variety descriptions and expectations with actual harvest data from five varieties of zinnia (‘Benary’s Giant’ Mix, ‘Oklahoma’ Mix, ‘Peppermint Stick’, ‘Whirligig’ and ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’). Data was collected from mid-season harvests in 2006 at the Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown, Hunterdon County, NJ. Analysis of variance and t-tests at the α = 0.05 level were performed on data including the number of straight stems produced versus the number of stems that would cause difficulty during commercial floral arranging. The number of stems harvested that were “true-to-type”, or closely matched the seed supplier’s variety description were also statistically analyzed. Results indicate that ‘Oklahoma’ Mix, ‘Peppermint’ and ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ produced straight stems at a significantly higher rate than ‘Benary’s Giant’ Mix and ‘Whirligig’ (Figure 1). The statistical analysis of ‘true-to-type’ data revealed that ‘Oklahoma’ Mix and ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ matched variety descriptions more closely and were significantly different statistically from the other varieties, but not from each other (Figure 3). All varieties exhibited flower dimensions near expectations (Figure 4). These results substantiate common complaints from many cut-flower producers and may provide a source of quantitative information to be used in future variety selection and improvement.

1. Straight and True?
A Comparative Study of Five Varieties of Zinnia
Polanin, N.*1, Carleo J. S.2, Nitzsche, P.3, Perdomo, P.4, Wulster, G.5, and Wyenandt, C. A.6
1,2,3Agricultural Agents, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension, *1Somerset County, 2Cape May County, and 3Morris County; Martin Hall, 88 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
4Director of Research & Regulatory Affairs, Cleary Chemical Corporation, 178 Ridge Road, Suite A, Dayton, NJ 08810. 5,6Extension Specialists, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station,
5Floriculture, 6Vegetable Pathology; Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Foran Hall, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
ABSTRACT
All major seed suppliers provide performance descriptions of varieties and series for cut flower production in their advertisements and catalogs. Disease resistance, heat tolerance, stem length, and ‘true-to-type’ are just
some of the detailed attributes growers seek to provide high quality cut flowers to market. This study compared variety descriptions and expectations with actual harvest data from five varieties of zinnia (‘Benary’s Giant’
Mix, ‘Oklahoma’ Mix, ‘Peppermint Stick’, ‘Whirligig’ and ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’). Data was collected from mid-season harvests in 2006 at the Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown, Hunterdon County, NJ.
Analysis of variance and t-tests at the α = 0.05 level were performed on data including the number of straight stems produced versus the number of stems that would cause difficulty during commercial floral arranging. The
number of stems harvested that were “true-to-type”, or closely matched the seed supplier’s variety description were also statistically analyzed. Results indicate that ‘Oklahoma’ Mix, ‘Peppermint’ and ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’
produced straight stems at a significantly higher rate than ‘Benary’s Giant’ Mix and ‘Whirligig’ (Figure 1). The statistical analysis of ‘true-to-type’ data revealed that ‘Oklahoma’ Mix and ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ matched variety
descriptions more closely and were significantly different statistically from the other varieties, but not from each other (Figure 3). All varieties exhibited flower dimensions near expectations (Figure 4). These results
substantiate common complaints from many cut-flower producers and may provide a source of quantitative information to be used in future variety selection and improvement.
INTRODUCTION
Zinnia variety performance trials were conducted in northern and
southern New Jersey during 2006. While subsequent reports from
this study focused on disease incidence and severity, this research
focused specifically on the percentage of straight stems produced
at a length suitable for commercial floral arranging (producer
expectations) and floral characteristics that were ‘true to type’
(seed source varietal descriptions).
VARIETAL DESCRIPTIONS FROM SEED SUPPLIERS (left to right, corresponding photos above)
‘Benary’s Giant’ - Standard many growers are using; long strong stems; white, yellow, red, orange, pink, and deep pink; 6.5 cm diameter.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Vigorous all-season producer, densely petaled blooms on 100 - 125 cm. stems.
Field plots consisted of raised beds on 5 foot centers, covered with ‘Oklahoma Mix’ - Old standard, double & semi-double; white, yellow, red, orange, pink, and deep pink; 4 cm diameter. Noted for its
black plastic mulch and supplied with trickle irrigation. Zinnias uniformity, clarity of color and sturdy 75 – 100 cm. stems.
were transplanted 9” apart into double staggered rows. Zinnia ‘Peppermint Stick’ – Double blooms; bicolor and some solid colors - red, cream, yellow, orange, and pink; 5 cm diameter. Fascinating
stems were harvested when flowers were fully open and quality broken colored flowers - no flower is the same. Grows to 60 – 90 cm. tall.
measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed on the
average of four harvests during the summer of 2006. Analysis of ‘Whirligig’ - Double blooms; bicolor: yellow-crimson, red-white, pink-white, cream-rose, and bronze-red; 5 cm diameter. The double flowers
variance and t-tests at the α = 0.05 level were performed on the display an attractive contrasting color at the tip of each petal. Grows to 60 cm. tall.
percentage of straight stems produced, stem length, percentage of
‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ - Double blooms, 2006 All-American Selections Winner; bicolor - magenta center with petals orange tipped; 5 cm
true to type flowers produced, and mean flower diameter.
diameter. Grows to 75 – 90 cm. tall.
RESULTS (a, b, c, d statistically significant at the α = 0.05 level)
STRAIGHT STEMS (%) STEM LENGTH (cm) TRUE TO TYPE (%) MEAN FLOWER DIAMETER (cm)
100.00 30.00 100.00
a 7.00
a a
90.00 a 90.00
b
a a a b 6.00
25.00
b 80.00
b b b
80.00
b b
c c 5.00 c
70.00
20.00
c 70.00
60.00 60.00 d
4.00
50.00 15.00 50.00
3.00
40.00 40.00
10.00
30.00 30.00 2.00
20.00 20.00
5.00
1.00
10.00 10.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Benary’s Giant Oklahoma Peppermint Whirligig Zowie Benary’s Giant Oklahoma Peppermint Whirligig Zowie Benary’s Giant Oklahoma Peppermint Whirligig Zowie Benary’s Giant Oklahoma Peppermint Whirligig Zowie
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4
CONCLUSIONS
• Despite significant differences in other categories, flower size (mean diameter) for all varieties was in accord with varietal descriptions
• While ‘Benary’s Giant’ exhibited the largest flower diameter and greatest stem length, it’s significantly lower percentage of ‘true to type’ and straight stems can reduce marketability
• ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ was the only variety to be free of non “true-to-type” characteristics, as exhibited in the zinnia ‘Peppermint Stick’ (image on left)
• Under certain weather and / or growing conditions, zinnia stems may not elongate or be as straight as desired for the cut flower market
• Direct marketing opportunities for shorter stemmed zinnias should be explored, especially where flowers (where stems are removed) are used for traditional seasonal holiday crafts