Viewing post #1075210 by ZenMan

SCButtercup said:I'm growing Zahara zinnias (Marylandica) from seeds I saved last year. Germination is low but by sowing a lot of seeds I have a six pack started. I'm hoping for low growing, well branches plants with lots of flowers. If I don't get exact same color (sunburst) I will be okay with that. I'll update my info to show how it progresses. Any predictions on how this will turn out @Zenman?

Hi Judy,
All of the commercial Marylandicas are open pollinated, so you can expect your Zaharas "to come true" from seed. So my prediction is that you will be very pleased with how this turns out. Considering how expensive the Zahara seed is, it just makes good sense to save your own seed.

And, yes, home saved seed usually does have a lower percentage of germination, because the commercial seed producers have the equipment and procedures (lot numbers and germination tests) to achieve a target of 80% germination. Even with my years of experience, I achieve only about 50% on average. And I pick my seeds out from the "seed-head trash" one seed at a time.

ZM