Zinnia Zahara Starlight Rose

Superior disease tolerance makes Zahara an excellent choice in the landscape where Zinnia elegans or vinca varieties have failed in the past. Heat-loving plants have very low water needs, and are outstanding in sunny, hot and dry conditions. This all-around winner assures big retail impact and care-free, season-long shows in landscapes and containers.

Mounded, upright plants grow 12-18 inches tall and wide. Starlight Rose flowers throughout the spring and summer. It's a great choice for the novice or experienced gardener because it is so undemanding with a maximum number of blooms.

• Germination takes approximately two to three days. Maintain a temperature of 68-72°F for germination and maintain 95-97 percent relative humidity (RH) until cotyledons emerge.
   
• For stage 2, maintain temperatures of 70-75°F days; 60 to 65°F nights. Light can be up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux) during stages 2 and 3. Keep the growing media moderate to medium-wet. Apply fertilizer at rate 1 (less than 100 ppm N/less than 0.7 mS/cm EC) with a nitrate-form fertilizer with low phosphorous.
• For stage 3, maintain temperatures of 70-75°F days and 60-65°F nights. Keep the growing media moderately wet. Increase the fertilizer rate to 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC) and maintain a media pH of 5.8 to 6.2 and EC at 0.7 to 1.0 mS/cm (1:2 extraction).
   
• During stage 4, maintain day temperatures of 65-70°F and nighttime temperatures at 60-65°F. Light levels can be up to 5,000 f.c. (53,800 Lux) if temperatures can be maintained. Feed the same as in stage 3.
   
• To finish, Zahara can be grown in 306 premium packs, 1801s and 4-inch pots. Use a well-drained media with a pH of 5.5-6.2