Effect of pot size and growing system
on development and quality
of potted zinnia cultivars.
Zinnia has good prospect to be used as potted
plant in Brazil.It shows attractive flowers, drought
resistance, easy propagation, fast growth, minimal
labor requirements and rusticity. The present study
evaluated the effects of pot size (0.6 and 1.3 L) and
growing system (free sprout of buds and apical flower
bud pinch) on zinnia cultivars (‘Profusion Cherry’,
‘Thumbelina’, ‘Lilliput’ and ‘Persian Carpet’) development
and quality. Plants were grown in the fall, in
greenhouse, at Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo, Brazil.
The experimental design was a randomized
blocks, with four replicates (six pots per experimental
unit), in factorial arrangement 4 x 2 x 2 (four cultivars,
two pot sizes and two growing systems). Seeds
were sown in polystyrene plug trays. Seedlings were
transplanted, at second nodal true leaves stage to pots
filled with commercial media and fertilized with
Osmocote‚. When apical flower bud had 3-5mm it
was manualy removed. ‘Profusion Cherry’ showed
the best performance among the cultivars with a compact
and short aspect (18.0 cm), larger flower diameter
(4.74 cm), larger pot coverage by canopy
(87.3%), larger foliage and flowers harvest index
(0.65) and, a shorter production cycle (52 days).
‘Thumbelina’ showed potential as potted plant, but
was inferior to ‘Profusion Cherry’ regarding to plant
height (23.0 cm), pot coverage (80.8%) and, production
cycle (59 days). ‘Lilliput’ and ‘Persian Carpet’
did not show a compact and short aspect, with plants
height of 57.0 and 50.0 cm, respectively. For all cultivars,
the 0.6 L pot was more appropriated, considering
plant development and quality. Apical flower
bud pinch delayed production cycle and did not improve
plants quality.