Over the past two decades, interest in local specialty cut flower production in Eastern South Dakota has grown with several new flower farms being established across the region. However, there is currently no local, research-based information available to support growers in this new wave of interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the production and quality of four zinnia cultivars grown in Eastern South Dakota to support local specialty cut flower growers in their operations. This was a randomized complete block study with four zinnia cultivars (Zinderella Peach, Oklahoma Ivory, Queen Red Lime, and Benary’s Giant Purple) grown in 2022 and 2023. Zinnias were started in the greenhouse and then transplanted into the field in early summer each season. Harvest began each year when flowers reached maturity (July), with one harvest event taking place each week until the first frost. Harvested flowers were rated as marketable or non-marketable based on categories of stem length (18 -inch-long, 13-17.99-inch-long, 8-12.99-inch-long, and
