Zinnia vs. Dahlia

I’m currently taking a small business course and we were discussing struggles in our businesses. Most of my struggles consist of finding enough time to get everything done while it’s still light outside and bookkeeping (ugh the bookkeeping)! I also mentioned that I struggle to properly explain or get the information out there when prices are different from week to week and flower to flower.

The example I used was comparing a zinnia and a dahlia. To many, if not most people, a beautiful flower is a beautiful flower. Most people are not concerned with the type of flower or what goes into growing that particular flower. And that is totally fine! I want you to look at any flower I grow and say, “wow, that’s exceptionally beautiful!” Period.

The reason that I care about relaying this information to you is because if someone feels that way, a beautiful flower is a beautiful flower, you may wonder why I am charging more money for certain flowers…especially when it seems you get way more “bang for your buck” with other flowers or mixed bouquets etc.

Let’s dive into the why. This is a longer post but I do hope you take a look when you have some time!

Every flower has the same basic needs to grow: healthy soil, sun, water, nutrients. But every flower has different requirements of those basic needs. In our dahlia vs. zinnia example, dahlias are without a doubt the top diva. They require so much more care, time, effort, nutrients, preparation, support, storage/off-season care, etc. compared to zinnias (actually, more than most other flowers!).

To grow zinnias: basically take good quality seed, grow seedlings inside or just toss some seeds into mediocre soil, give them some sun and a little water and you WILL get flowers. They don’t need fussing, you can get away without supporting them, they don’t require much if any fertilizing, and they keep coming the more you cut them. For me, as a farmer/grower, that means way less work put into that particular crop.

Dahlias on the other hand are a different beast. Let me walk you through the year of a dahlia plant.

Dahlias begin as a tuber which is similar to a bulb. I buy tubers when I want a new variety but I increase my own stock from my own tubers as they increase in numbers from year to year. So lets say I already have this tuber in question.

That tuber sits in storage in my walk-in cooler over the winter nestled in a box of barely damp vermiculite. I monitor the temperature and humidity every day, making adjustments as needed. They must remain between about 35-45 F with very high humidity but not too much or they will rot. They cannot freeze but they also cannot stay too warm. In the spring, my 700ish tubers are sorted again to eliminate any rotting or eye-less (dud) tubers. To prepare the soil for dahlias, I add specific nutrients based on a soil test that was done in the fall. I use our tractor to mound the soil into rows for better drainage and then plant every single tuber within the mound by hand… x 700+. Then we pound posts, minimum 8-10 per row and add 1-2 layers of netting support. Then comes the most hands-off part of dahlia growing, we do nothing after they are planted, no water and no extra nutrients until they are at least 6 inches out of the ground.

Once they are about 12” high, they are fertilized with a diluted fish emulsion every week from about mid-June until frost. They also require deadheading at least weekly to keep them producing…x 700 plants. Leaves on the lower half of the plant are stripped to maintain adequate air flow and prevent disease. Tags need to be replaced before the end of each season to be sure you have the correct variety with the correct label. I just completed this task and it is more of a pain then it sounds.

Once frost occurs, we dig up every single tuber (which has grown into a clump of tubers). Every clump needs washed by hand, divided by hand, sorted, and stored back in vermiculite to start the cycle all over again….x 700….

Whew! I’m tired just explaining it. They are a time consuming plant (particularly at a large scale) but they produce the most gorgeous blooms that are coveted by floral designers and flower lovers alike. What makes a premium flower “premium” is also the demand. Flowers like dahlias, peonies, etc are premium flowers and are always highly desired by designers.

Bottom line: they are exceedingly more time & work to produce and they are in high demand, therefore they fetch a higher price.

If you made it to the end, THANK YOU for taking the time to learn! I appreciate you!