long lasting flowers?
Diane Whitehead (Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:49:32 PDT)

This year, for the first time ever, I am growing zinnias. I bought a
packet of Granny's Bouquet from Renee's Garden.

I think I will start keeping track of how long each flower lasts.
There is a shaggy orange one that was flowering beside a different
kind of plant that has stopped flowering, and Shaggy still looks
great. I don't mean that this zinnia plant is still flowering with
new flowers. It is the same original flower that has been blooming
over a week.

It has made me think of those intricately patterned bulb flowers in
South Africa which would remain open for just a few hours.

I wonder why there is such a difference in longevity.

I know that winter flowers last quite long, probably because
pollinators aren't out doing their job unless the weather is warm, and
it usually isn't.

However, zinnias are a summer flower. I wonder if there is something
about Mexico that requires long-lasting flowers.

Has anyone made note of long-lasting bulb flowers?

Diane Whitehead
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
maritime zone 8, cool Mediterranean climate
mild rainy winters, mild dry summers