An extra hug for E from the west coast. My stage 3 cancer survivor son has had 33 more healthy years after heavy chemo. It feels like magic. Best wishes.
Sending hugs for E and you guys - I know from experience that you will be so happy when she is in remission - it's a great feeling that all the hard work has paid off!
Thank you!! She is NED right now but I worry about relapse after she finishes chemo. In the meantime, I’m celebrating all of the good news as they come!
Jess, something that has helped me with powdery mildew is removing the lower leaves of the plant. I had a massive issue with my zinnias last year with disease and fungal issues. So, I only got 1 stem per sq foot! They were not productive for me at all. BUT the weather were I was wasn't idea for zinnias and I had the WORST powdery mildew issues last year usually it doesn't start until the fall I had it all season from June until Nov. This is what lead me to try removing the lower leaves and finding out that helped a TON so this year I will be doing that as soon as I am able.
Yes! I need to be proactive about that! I think my unicorns were a lost cause but probably could have gotten more out of the other varieties I grew. Thanks!
Awesome video! Benary always does best in every category for me, I’m interested to see how the new Johnny’s varieties (ballerina & agave) are going to do! Crossing fingers through the valley ❤️
Yes I am! But I’m betting the PM and productivity will be similar to Florets, and I’ve experienced zinnia cactus forms having a shorter vase like. agave has more cactus forms in the mix I think. We’ll see what happens! We get PM really bad here so I’m trying to do more successions too
I live in RI, which I think is similar climate wise to NJ. We get really bad powdery mildew on peonies, monarda, and zinnias. Blight on potatoes and tomatoes. I can't avoid it so just mitigate as early as possible and plant accordingly. For zinnias, I found Miss Willmott Pink & Benary's Giants are more resistant than State Fair or California Giant zinnias.
Stock has the absolute best smell. I grow them every year just for that 😍. I had the worst luck with powdery mildew on all my floret zinnias, my other (non-floret) zinnias didn't get pm until about a month later.
I would give the Benary Giant zinnia's a try. I live just outside of DC and our summers are notoriously hot and humid, and the Benary's do well here. After a few months, they do get powdery mildew (unavoidable), which is why I do a second succession, which takes me into the fall.
HI, I wanted to ask if you’ve ever considered turning contaminated soil/cuttings(powdery mildew for example) into bio char as an alternative to throwing out entirely. Just something I’m wondering. Thank you for all your videos. You’re incredibly knowledgable.
I don't get powdery mildew, and the secret is heat. Powdery mildew does not like intense sun and heat. I'd try experimenting with a single cut succession that you replace with a cut and come again succession in peak summer. It's those older leaves that are shaded and cooler that propagate the fungus upward along with cooler, humid nights in the NE. The NE is basically powdery mildew's best friend. I've heard Danielle from Northlawn FF was switching from zinnias to strawflower because she couldn't handle the PM any longer. Strawflowers... Hard for me to grow. They are doing great for me now in winter 😂
Oh interesting about Danielle. She has a very similar growing climate as me. I may need to go back to strawflower too. You always have the opposite luck in growing flowers 😅 I think the challenge is that I dont plan to grow too much at the height of summer PLUS the japanese beetles will murder the zinnias in July :(
We are in zone 10b (uv rays 11+) where it’s dry and HOT PM is still rampant. Defoliating lower leaves and preventative 4:1 milk:water spray in the sun to prevent spores from forming.. not over head watering also helped us lower the amount of PM we got. There’s an interesting map showing PM staring in FL and going up the coast all the way to Maine as the season progresses.
@ryleesblooms oh, interesting! I am in Texas. It could also be that my plants are all elevated from the soil by about... 50+ feet 🤣 So I also get a ton of airflow from it just being windier higher up. So I probably get the killing heat benefits while not having any shaded soil nearby that could promote spore transfer. So maybe the solution is ... A 50 foot raised bed 🤣
I grow zinnias in VA... I noticed this year, that my benarys giants zinnias were more resistant to the powdery mildew than the Queeny mix I had growing beside them.... Because of terrible bug pressure, I have to spray my plants... I've chosen to use insecticide and fungicide as little as possible, but where needed to ensure a viable crop.... The benarys zinnias got very little mildew, and bounced back and grew tremendously after 1 application... I got cut after cut off of many of the plants... The Queen series however, didn't really respond to treatment and viable stems could suddenly brown and wilt after 2 days in a vase, so I just couldn't use them.... Both varieties were treated exactly the same otherwise, pinching , water, fertilizer, etc.
What kind of yarrow do you grow? I love yarrow but its not real profitable selling to my florists. Maybe its the color or type. Thats why Im asking? Its not just my yarrow, all the growers in my co-op feel the same way. Maybe its just isnt a flower they use much?🤷♀️
I grow the summer berry series - the pastel colors do well with our florists. But I know Chicago growers who grow the same colors and their florists absolutely don't care for yarrow. I'm honestly not sure why!
I get veggies at a CSA that also lets us pick 20 stems a week. I head for the yarrow patch because no one else does. I understand the dahlia lovers but when I see someone with 20 orange marigolds I am stunned. WHY ?
An extra hug for E from the west coast. My stage 3 cancer survivor son has had 33 more healthy years after heavy chemo. It feels like magic. Best wishes.
I hope we get to experience the same thing! Definitely enjoying the present moment more so than ever though!
@@bareflowerfarm It is always great to have good memories stored up for when you need them.
Sending hugs for E and you guys - I know from experience that you will be so happy when she is in remission - it's a great feeling that all the hard work has paid off!
Thank you!! She is NED right now but I worry about relapse after she finishes chemo. In the meantime, I’m celebrating all of the good news as they come!
@@bareflowerfarm WOW - that's such good news - congrats!!! Keep celebrating and feeding her right!!
Jess, something that has helped me with powdery mildew is removing the lower leaves of the plant. I had a massive issue with my zinnias last year with disease and fungal issues. So, I only got 1 stem per sq foot! They were not productive for me at all. BUT the weather were I was wasn't idea for zinnias and I had the WORST powdery mildew issues last year usually it doesn't start until the fall I had it all season from June until Nov. This is what lead me to try removing the lower leaves and finding out that helped a TON so this year I will be doing that as soon as I am able.
Yes! I need to be proactive about that! I think my unicorns were a lost cause but probably could have gotten more out of the other varieties I grew. Thanks!
Baking soda is also a good treatment to spray on plants. I've also heard some cull plants before it sets in, then replant with a 2nd following crop.
Baby E is amazing. Thanks for this video and giving updates on her.
I'm praying for you, your family and little one. Thank you for the informative video.
Thanks for great info. Hugs to all.
Thanks for another great video! Praying for E! She and Chance are so sweet together.
Thank you🙃
Just started watching, love it already!--making sure I remember to comment now... 😊 You always know EXACTLY what video I need!
Aww thank you :)
Awesome video! Benary always does best in every category for me, I’m interested to see how the new Johnny’s varieties (ballerina & agave) are going to do! Crossing fingers through the valley ❤️
Ohhh are you trying the new Ballerina and Agave series? And thank you :)
Yes I am! But I’m betting the PM and productivity will be similar to Florets, and I’ve experienced zinnia cactus forms having a shorter vase like. agave has more cactus forms in the mix I think. We’ll see what happens! We get PM really bad here so I’m trying to do more successions too
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this ❤️
Hi Jess, I space zinnia's 12" apart in my humid wet climate. Air flow is key in my garden..
How many stems would you say you get off of the average zinnia plant with that spacing?
I live in RI, which I think is similar climate wise to NJ. We get really bad powdery mildew on peonies, monarda, and zinnias. Blight on potatoes and tomatoes. I can't avoid it so just mitigate as early as possible and plant accordingly. For zinnias, I found Miss Willmott Pink & Benary's Giants are more resistant than State Fair or California Giant zinnias.
Yup, my monarda also gets riddled with PM! Good to know about Miss Willmott Pink. Those are so cute, I may need to try them!
Stock has the absolute best smell. I grow them every year just for that 😍. I had the worst luck with powdery mildew on all my floret zinnias, my other (non-floret) zinnias didn't get pm until about a month later.
Absolutely- if only you could bottle up the scent of stock! I will be growing more stock this year too!
I would give the Benary Giant zinnia's a try. I live just outside of DC and our summers are notoriously hot and humid, and the Benary's do well here. After a few months, they do get powdery mildew (unavoidable), which is why I do a second succession, which takes me into the fall.
HI, I wanted to ask if you’ve ever considered turning contaminated soil/cuttings(powdery mildew for example) into bio char as an alternative to throwing out entirely. Just something I’m wondering. Thank you for all your videos. You’re incredibly knowledgable.
What a great video! Who do you purchase Lisianthus plugs from?
Thank you! I am currently buying from farmer baileys. There’s a ton of growers on the ball webtrack though!
Can you tell me what variety white marigold you're using? I've found a couple but the tallest is only 40-60 centimeter.
I don't get powdery mildew, and the secret is heat. Powdery mildew does not like intense sun and heat. I'd try experimenting with a single cut succession that you replace with a cut and come again succession in peak summer. It's those older leaves that are shaded and cooler that propagate the fungus upward along with cooler, humid nights in the NE. The NE is basically powdery mildew's best friend.
I've heard Danielle from Northlawn FF was switching from zinnias to strawflower because she couldn't handle the PM any longer. Strawflowers... Hard for me to grow. They are doing great for me now in winter 😂
Oh interesting about Danielle. She has a very similar growing climate as me. I may need to go back to strawflower too. You always have the opposite luck in growing flowers 😅
I think the challenge is that I dont plan to grow too much at the height of summer PLUS the japanese beetles will murder the zinnias in July :(
We are in zone 10b (uv rays 11+) where it’s dry and HOT PM is still rampant. Defoliating lower leaves and preventative 4:1 milk:water spray in the sun to prevent spores from forming.. not over head watering also helped us lower the amount of PM we got. There’s an interesting map showing PM staring in FL and going up the coast all the way to Maine as the season progresses.
@ryleesblooms oh, interesting! I am in Texas. It could also be that my plants are all elevated from the soil by about... 50+ feet 🤣 So I also get a ton of airflow from it just being windier higher up. So I probably get the killing heat benefits while not having any shaded soil nearby that could promote spore transfer.
So maybe the solution is ... A 50 foot raised bed 🤣
I grow zinnias in VA... I noticed this year, that my benarys giants zinnias were more resistant to the powdery mildew than the Queeny mix I had growing beside them.... Because of terrible bug pressure, I have to spray my plants... I've chosen to use insecticide and fungicide as little as possible, but where needed to ensure a viable crop.... The benarys zinnias got very little mildew, and bounced back and grew tremendously after 1 application... I got cut after cut off of many of the plants... The Queen series however, didn't really respond to treatment and viable stems could suddenly brown and wilt after 2 days in a vase, so I just couldn't use them.... Both varieties were treated exactly the same otherwise, pinching , water, fertilizer, etc.
I've heard the queen series are one of the worst zinnias when it comes to disease, so I'm not suprrised to hear this.
Lennie Larkin gives crop yield estimates on page 107 of "Flower Farming for Profit: The Complete Guide to Growing a Successful Cut Flower Business."
Yup! I have that book, if only it came out 2 years earlier!!
@@bareflowerfarm I know YOU do! 😉
I ALWAYS battle PM w/zinnias. 🤮 Going to try a milk spray this year. 🤞🤞🤞
I tried it in year 1 and it didnt do much :(
Zinnia are silly I had ones I was getting 2-4 usable stems per week and others that I got 4 stems in their whole run 6 feet away
What kind of yarrow do you grow? I love yarrow but its not real profitable selling to my florists. Maybe its the color or type. Thats why Im asking? Its not just my yarrow, all the growers in my co-op feel the same way. Maybe its just isnt a flower they use much?🤷♀️
I grow the summer berry series - the pastel colors do well with our florists. But I know Chicago growers who grow the same colors and their florists absolutely don't care for yarrow. I'm honestly not sure why!
I get veggies at a CSA that also lets us pick 20 stems a week. I head for the yarrow patch because no one else does. I understand the dahlia lovers but when I see someone with 20 orange marigolds I am stunned. WHY ?
@@karendavidson394beauty is in the eye of the beholder 😂😂😂
Oklahoma zinnias!!!!!!! Floret Zinnias are just not great for high production.