Star White, Zinnia angustifolia, is a long-blooming annual with profuse blooms. PanAmerican developed this variety for good vigor, disease resistance, and heat tolerance. This plant offers a mounded, spreading habit 14" tall and 8-10" wide, with white, single, star-shaped blooms 2" in diameter from spring through late summer. This plant tolerates mildew and drought, attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden and flourishing in full sun with moderate water. This Zinnia variety is smaller than the classic State Fair Mix and the compact Profusion variety, bringing a unique Zinnia option to the commercial greenhouse. Star White is perfect for landscape borders, cottage and vegetable gardens, baskets, and containers. Its flowers are lovely in a vase, and the plants require almost no maintenance. Create a charming display of color by growing Gold alongside Star Gold and Star Orange.
Star White Selling Tips
Sell Star White to customers looking for a low-maintenance annual to bring color to a landscape or attract pollinators to the garden. This plant offers many benefits, including heat tolerance, disease resistance, a compact habit, and cheerful single flowers. Flourishing in full sun with regular water, Zinnia blooms from early summer to frost, producing prolific flowers which are excellent in bouquets. Create a visually appealing pollinator garden that will also repel pests by growing Zinnia alongside Marigolds, Nasturtium, Cosmos, Sunflower, Borage, Basil, Verbena, and Larkspur.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 8-10" apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Water regularly, once or twice a week, or more often in drought.
3. Remove plants after frost.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
For best results with Star White, grow one seedling plug per 1801-cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.0, EC of 1.2-1.5 mS/cm (2:1), and moderate feed (175-225 ppm N). Provide temperatures between 65-70 to prevent disease and maintain a compact habit. Zinnia doesn't typically require PGRs or pinching. Watch for aphids, thrips, and botrytis. This variety is disease resistant.
Flowering
White single flowers 2" in diameter bloom from spring through late summer.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. We recommend spacing 4-inch containers 6-10" apart, adjusting as needed for your commercial greenhouse.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs. Control height with proper cultural practices, including temperatures of 65-70, full sun, and adequate spacing between containers.
Pests
Scout for aphids and thrips as part of your commercial greenhouse's Integrated Pest Management plan. This plant isn't prone to pests.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.
Thrips are tiny insects that eat plant tissue and can transmit viruses. Watch for silvery-white streaks or black spots on foliage and distorted growth. Use natural predators (like predatory mites), insecticidal soap, neem oil, and sticky traps to control infestations and prevent spread.
Disease
Watch for signs of botrytis and stem rot. This Zinnia variety is disease resistant.
Botrytis is a common fungal disease that causes brown spots on stems, leaves, and flowers. Remove and destroy affected plants, maintain appropriate humidity levels, and apply fungicides with boscalid, fenhexamid, or iprodione to control the spread. Water plants in the morning and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Stem rot is a fungal disease that causes wilting, browning, and death of plant stems. Prevent infection with proper sanitization, adequate drainage, and good airflow. Don't overwater, and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Maintain appropriate temperatures and humidity levels in the greenhouse and grow disease-resistant plants. Regularly check plants for signs of disease and remove and destroy infected plants to prevent spread. Apply a fungicide if necessary.
Planting Star White Liners
Plant one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil and bury the ellepot in the middle of the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Zinnia Star White Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 5-6 Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | 6-7 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Summer |
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| Color | White |
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| Habit | Mounding, Spreading |
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| Height | 14 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 65 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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