Home » Misc » When do you plant zinnias

When do you plant zinnias


for a bold and beautiful show |

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Getting savvy about when to plant zinnia seeds can bring blooms in vivid shades of red, magenta, orange, and lime to the backyard from July into October. 

Fashionable in the 19th century and enjoying a resurgence in popularity, these annuals bring retro glamour, as well as exotic appeal. 

Once you know how to grow zinnias, they are easy to introduce and, started off from seed at the right time, will bloom over a long period, brightening the backyard and providing fresh cut flowers for the house, and our guide provides the optimum times to sow and plant these fabulous annuals. 

When to plant zinnia seeds

Some zinnia species grow wild in North America, but the most widely grown garden form – Zinnia elegans – is native to Central America. Hailing from a warm climate dictates when they should be sown.

‘Zinnias are wonderful because they are easy to grow, and they produce tons of beautiful flowers,’ says Catherine Kaczor of Hudson Valley Seed Co . ‘They are a joy to grow, and they come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes. Virtually anyone can grow them. Just pick a spot with full sun, and watch these beautiful flowers bloom all summer long.’

Zinnias might be part of your flower bed ideas and also do well in pots if you’re looking for container gardening ideas. As for when to plant zinnia seeds, they can be sown in April or May under cover. Alternatively, they can be sown direct or planted out as ready-grown plug plants in early summer.

(Image credit: Getty)

When to plant zinnia seeds under cover

April or May is the best time to plant zinnia seeds in a greenhouse or cold frame or on a bright windowsill, for earlier flowering. Zinnias are half-hardy annuals that dislike the cold, so don’t sow them under cover too early in spring because they shouldn’t be planted out until the weather has warmed sufficiently. For cold regions, that might not be until early June. 

Zinnias don’t like their roots being handled or broken, so avoid sowing into seed trays. Module trays are a possibility, but there are some even better options. ’Because zinnias hate root disturbance, I use coir Jiffy pellets,’ says zinnia supplier Sarah Raven . ‘That way you minimize handling. You can also sow them into lengths of guttering so that the seedlings can slide straight out into their planting hole.’ 

Keep the modules, pellets, or guttering well watered, but never waterlogged to prevent the seedlings damping off. 

If you live in a very cold climate (such as north Scotland), don’t bother with modules or pellets. Instead, sow your zinnias direct into greenhouse beds or into the soil under a polytunnel and leave them to bloom there all summer, rather than sowing in modules or pellets to transplant out later. This is because zinnias need summer heat to flower well outside. 

When to plant zinnia seeds direct

Because zinnias dislike root disturbance, sowing direct often reaps the best results. But when to plant zinnia seeds direct? Wait until the weather is T-shirt warm, which might not be until early June in cool climates.  

‘Zinnias are very sensitive to the cold, so wait until all threat of frost has passed to sow or transplant,’ says Catherine Kaczor. ‘A rule of thumb for our area in the northeast US is to wait until around Mother's Day (8 May this year). Zinnias generally don’t start to grow until the soil warms up above 60ºF (15°C), so starting them from seed and planting early is unnecessary, as the zinnias won’t flower any earlier. So, save yourself some trouble and direct sow your zinnias.’

Shannie McCabe, horticulturist for Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co echoes this: ‘Zinnias perform best when direct sown outdoors two to three weeks after the last average frost date or when the temperature of the soil has reliably warmed up, as zinnias do not like cold.’ 

Sow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Choose gaps in perennial borders or – since zinnias are worth including when you’re planning a cut flower garden – sow colorful rows in the vegetable garden. Rake the soil very well before sowing, so the fussy roots can grow down easily. Then sow shallowly, around 0.1in (3mm) deep, and 12in (30cm) apart. 

When to plant zinnia seedlings

Zinnias bought as ready-grown plug seedlings or those you have grown yourself can be planted as soon as the weather has warmed in May or June. Choose a site in full sun that has fertile, well-drained soil and rake it well before planting. Because zinnias dislike their roots being touched or moved, try not to handle the modules or plugs much and hold them carefully when planting. 

When to sow zinnias in pots

If you want to enjoy zinnias in containers on the terrace, sow them direct into the pots under cover in April, and move the pots outside once the weather has warmed in May or June. The tall 3ft (90cm) zinnias will, of course, require a bigger container, but compact varieties can be grown in a 12in (30cm) pot. Ensure the container has drainage holes, and keep the compost moist, but not waterlogged. 

Can you start zinnias from seed?

You can start zinnias from seed and, as long as you plant the seeds at the right time, they are easy to grow. Choose between sowing the seeds in April or May under cover, or sowing them direct when the weather – and the soil – is warmer.

How long do zinnias take to bloom from seed?

Zinnias take around two month to bloom from seed, although the timing does vary according to the weather conditions. As zinnias are annuals, they won’t come back the following year, but you can collect the seeds from your plants and then follow our guidelines on when to plant zinnia seeds for a brilliant display next year.

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

How to Plant and Grow Zinnias

From watering tips to when to deadhead, we asked two gardening experts to share their advice.

Caroline Biggs, Freelance Writer portrait

By Caroline Biggs October 08, 2020

If you're a fan of colorful, low-maintenance flowers, then you shoulder consider planting zinnias in your garden. "Zinnias are universal symbols of summertime that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost, in crisp, vibrant colors such as pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and white," says Venelin Dimitrov of Burpee. "The flowers bloom in a range of shapes, including quilled, dahlia-type, single, semi-double, and double flowers. Plus, they are excellent flowers for new gardeners and children to grow, as the seeds are large and easy to handle, and the flowers often attract many species of butterflies."

zinnias in a garden

Credit: Getty / Chuanchai Pundej / EyeEm

Along with being beautiful and easy to grow, zinnias are also heat- and drought-tolerant. "They are great for hot summer weather and gardeners in warmer climates," explains Dr. Gladys Mbofung-Curtis, a garden expert at Garden Safe. "Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow because seeds require only basic garden preparation to sprout and the plants flower in just a few weeks; they can flourish with very little fertilizer and still produce flowers."

Plant zinnias in full sun.

Zinnias thrive in full sunlight and should be planted at the beginning of the warm weather season. "They are short-day plants that flower when the day length is less than 11 hours, therefore they are perfect for early spring planting when the nights are longer," Mbofung-Curtis explains. "Zinnias grow and flourish well in full sunlight in cooler climates, but in warmer climates, occasional afternoon shade may help relieve the plants from the excessive heat."

Seed zinnias in moist soil.

In warm climates, zinnias should be seeded directly into the soil after any frost has passed, says Mbofung-Curtis; in cooler climates, seeds can be started indoors in germination trays. "Whether seeding directly in beds or germination trays, zinnia seeds should be sown to a depth of a quarter of an inch into deep, loamy soil," she says. "The distance between seeds or seedlings in the beds should be about six inches apart for good airflow and rows should be spaced 12 inches apart."

Water carefully.

Even though zinnias can tolerate short periods of drought, Mbofung-Curtis says they'll grow best in moist soil. "Water plants about three times a week so that the soil stays moist to about six to eight inches deep," she advises. "Overwatering and continuous wet conditions can take a great toll, since high humidity can lead to development of powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rot, so water at the base of the plants." For potted plants, she recommends only watering them when the soil feels dry. "Avoid splashing the leaves as this may splatter spores of the fungus from the ground to the leaves."

Mulch makes a difference.

While zinnias can grow well in average soils, Mbofung-Curtis says they'll perform better with the help of compost, fertilizer, or mulch. "Once zinnias are established, mulching with a two-inch layer of straw or bark will help preserve soil moisture and prevent weed growth. In addition, a light fertilizer may be applied at the seedling stage. At flowering, side dressing with an organic 5-5-5 fertilizer will produce numerous and bigger blossoms. Zinnia seeds can also be sowed directly into one to two inches of organic mulch that will provide nutrients throughout the season as the mulch breaks down to form compost."

Prune frequently.

A little pruning can go a long way when growing zinnias in your garden. "When zinnias have grown to several inches, prune frequently to encourage more branches for flower head growth," Mbofung-Curtis says. "Rather than allowing flowers to be spent on the plants before deadheading, cut the mature flowers for use in bouquets to encourage blossoming throughout the season. Otherwise, just pinch spent blossoms off. However you maintain them, your zinnias will continue blooming to produce more and more flowers. "

care and planting in open ground, growing from seeds, photo

Author: Elena N. https://floristics.info/en/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=19 Category: Garden Plants Substated: Last amendments:

Content

  • Zinnia after flowering
    • How and when to collect seeds
    • Perennial zinnia in winter

    The Aztecs have been cultivating zinnia since 1500, and it appeared in Europe in the 18th century, immediately becoming a favorite decoration of gardens and aristocratic receptions. By the twentieth century, zinnia was already cultivated on all continents, and from 1931 to 1957, the zinnia flower was even a symbol of the state of Indiana, USA.

    Today, about twenty species are known, many varieties and hybrids of this beautiful flower, which is distinguished by its beauty and undemanding to growing conditions.

    Listen to article

    Planting and caring for zinnia

    • Planting: sowing seeds for seedlings - in late March or early April, transplanting seedlings into the ground - from mid to late May.
    • Flowering: mid-June until frost.
    • Lighting: bright sunlight.
    • Soil: light, nutritious, well-drained, neutral.
    • Watering: infrequent, but plentiful, under the root. nine0012
    • Top dressing: during the seedling period - three times with mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content, after transplanting into the ground - at least twice: one month after planting and during the budding period.
    • Reproduction: seed.
    • Pests: May beetles and cockchafers, aphids, slugs and snails.
    • Diseases: powdery mildew, Fusarium, bacterial spot, gray mold.

    Read more about growing zinnia below

    Botanical description

    Depending on the species and variety, the height of zinnia can be from 20 to 100 cm or more. Zinnia leaves, entire, sessile, ovate, pointed to the top, pubescent with hard hairs, whorled or opposite. Inflorescences are apical single baskets with a diameter of three to fourteen centimeters, located on long peduncles. Reed flowers of zinnia, tiled in one or more rows, white, purple, orange, yellow, red - all possible colors except shades of blue; middle, tubular flowers - small, yellow or red-brown. The fruit is an achene with a tuft. Zinnia blooms from mid-June until frost, being resistant to heat and drought. nine0007

    The zinnia plant is cultivated as a bright and unpretentious garden plant, which is excellent for cutting. Perennial zinnia grows only in regions with warm winters. In our climate, zinnia in the garden is exclusively an annual plant, since it is not able to survive even short and slight frosts. Summer residents call this flower major. Annual zinnias and marigolds, daisies and marigolds are staples for the rustic landscaping that is increasingly in vogue in Europe. Zinnia is also appropriate in a flower bed with so-called noble flowers, it is also grown in a garden among vegetables, using its remarkable ability to stretch upwards, almost without creating a shadow. nine0007

    Growing zinnia from seeds

    How to sow seeds

    Perennial zinnia, like annuals, reproduces generatively. In places with a warm climate, where there are no frosts in May, planting zinnia directly into the ground is possible, but if night frosts are a common occurrence in your area, know that zinnia seeds sown in the ground will die already at a temperature of -1 ºC. That is why experienced flower growers believe that it is better to grow and harden this plant as seedlings, and then planting zinnia in the ground with subsequent rooting will be successful. nine0007

    Before sowing, wrap the zinnia seeds in a cloth or gauze soaked in epin to determine which of them germinate and which do not. Fresh seeds hatch in a couple of days, and old seeds will take a week to sprout.

    At the end of March or beginning of April, two or three viable seeds are sown spaciously to a depth of one centimeter in peat pots with a moist substrate, which will later avoid picking, which this culture does not like. Sowing is moistened and placed in a bright place. The optimum temperature for zinnia germination is 22-24 ºC. If you do everything right, sprouts will appear in a few days. nine0007

    In the photo: How zinnia blooms

    Seedling care

    Young plants quickly form adventitious roots, and if the zinnia seedlings are stretched out, just add some soil to the pots. My zinnias didn’t stretch out very well, but a friend complained that she put the crops in partial shade, and the seedlings turned into painful translucent sprouts, so remember that zinnia seedlings require bright diffused light. With a sparse sowing of seeds, you do not have to dive seedlings, , especially since zinnia does not tolerate picking. At the end of May, in order for the planting of zinnia to be successful, the seedlings begin to harden, taking it out for a while in the fresh air during the day.

    • Weigela: growing in the garden, types and varieties

    Planting zinnias outdoors

    When to plant zinnias

    When to plant zinnias outdoors when can I plant zinnia seedlings? Planting of zinnia in the ground is carried out in the second half of May, towards the end of the month, when the danger of return frosts has passed. The plant prefers light areas, protected from the wind, with neutral, well-drained nutrient soil. nine0167 Before planting zinnia, the intended area is cleared of weeds by digging the soil to a depth of 45 centimeters and adding leaf humus, compost or rotted manure to it when digging at the rate of 8-10 kg per m², and it is best to do this in the fall .

    How to plant

    Zinnia flowers are planted at a distance of 30-35 cm from one specimen to another by transshipment or together with a peat pot. You will see the flowering of zinnia in early July.

    Zinnia care

    Growing conditions

    If the planting of zinnia was successful, we can talk about caring for it, which consists in regular loosening of the soil, weeding and infrequent but plentiful watering under the root so that water does not fall on the flowers. When zinnia begins to bloom, remove wilted flowers in time. Powerful stalks of zinnia do not need tying and props.

    When to plant chrysanthemums for lush blooms

    Fertilizer

    Feed the seedlings with mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content from the moment of emergence until the time when zinnia is planted in the ground three times . A plant planted in the ground is fertilized with mineral fertilizers or liquid manure at least twice during the summer: the first time a month after planting, and the second - during the budding period. That's all the trouble. As you can see, planting and caring for zinnia is not burdensome at all.

    How to pinch

    Readers often ask if zinnia is pinched, and if so, how and when to do it. If you want the zinnia to bush, you need to pinch it over the third or fourth pair of leaves while still in seedlings, although you can do this when the zinnias in the open field have already taken root and take root. But if you want to grow elegant flowers for cutting on long peduncles, pinching zinnia is not needed. nine0007

    In the photo: Variegated zinnia

    Pests and their control

    The most common pests of zinnia are aphids, Maybugs, snails and slugs.

    • Licorice: cultivation and care in the open field

    Gastropods are usually lured to bowls of beer placed here and there on the plot, or pieces of slate or roofing material scattered between plants, under which mollusks like to crawl. You will have to collect them manually. nine0007

    Maybugs will also have to be collected by hand and thrown into a bucket of soapy water. Aphids are destroyed by spraying zinnias with a solution of tar soap at the rate of 10 g per liter of water, and in case of severe infection, with a solution of Fufanon or Aktellik, prepared in accordance with the instructions.

    Diseases and their treatment

    Of the diseases, it is possible to infect zinnia with gray mold, fusarium, bacterial spot , but most often with powdery mildew. If at least one leaf of zinnia is disfigured by gray-brown spots of a round shape left on the plant by bacterial spotting, take immediate action: tear off the leaves that have traces of the disease, and in case of severe infection, destroy the entire plant - there is no cure for this disease. nine0007

    Gray rot and fusarium are treated with fungicides (Topsin-M, Fundazol), as well as powdery mildew, which appears as a white coating on the ground parts of zinnia - Topaz, Skor, Topsin are more suitable to get rid of this misfortune from fungicides.

    I must say that diseases occur primarily due to violations of the rules for growing a plant, for example, due to too dense planting or excessive watering, so first diagnose the problem of zinnia, eliminate it if possible, and then do the work on the mistakes - re-read the rules for caring for the plant, find and analyze the discrepancy between them and how things really are. nine0075 Only in this way can you avoid trouble in the future.

    In the photo: Dense zinnia bushes

    Zinnia after flowering

    How and when to collect seeds

    Zinnia seeds ripen about two months after the start of flowering, so mark a few of the buds that open first. First-order shoots have the best seeds, so all side shoots should be removed from the specimens you have chosen for seed ripening. When the ripened baskets turn brown, they are cut, dried, the seeds are peeled, the dry remains of the flowers are cleaned and stored in a dry place with a constant temperature. Zinnia seeds remain viable for 3-4 years. nine0007

    In the photo:

    Perennial zinnia in winter

    As already mentioned, zinnia is grown as an annual plant in the garden. But if your zinnia does not grow outdoors, but in a container or pot, then with the onset of autumn, bring the flower into the room and take care of it like a houseplant, turning it from an annual zinnia into a perennial.

    • Winter cuttings of juniper - an even more effective way
      • nine0023

      Species and cultivars

      Of more than twenty species of zinnia, only four are grown in cultivation: elegant zinnia, narrow-leaved zinnia, aka Hage zinnia, fine-flowered zinnia and linearis zinnia. The first two species served as the basis for fruitful breeding work, and, thanks to its results, today we cultivate in gardens not only the main types of zinnia, but also many excellent varieties and hybrids of this plant.

      Zinnia elegans

      Herbaceous annual up to 1 meter high with simple white, orange and pink inflorescences. The stem is straight, for the most part not branched, rounded in cross section, densely pubescent with hard hairs, all shoots end in apical inflorescences-baskets. The leaves are sessile, entire, ovate, with a pointed apex, 5-7 cm long and 3-4.5 cm wide, the leaf surface is pubescent, like the stem. Inflorescences with a diameter of 5 to 16 cm, simple, semi-double and double, consist of reed flowers up to 4 cm long and up to 1.5 cm wide, painted in various colors, except for shades of blue, and median, tubular flowers of yellow or reddish-brown color . nine0007

      Types and varieties of celosia - a flower of amazing beauty

      Graceful zinnia blooms in June and can bloom until the very cold. In nature, it is most common in southern Mexico. In culture since 1796. Varieties and hybrids of elegant zinnia are classified according to several criteria: according to the structure of the inflorescences, according to their shape, according to the height of the stem and according to the timing of flowering.

      On the photo: Zinnia elegans

      Early-flowering, mid-flowering and late-flowering zinnias are distinguished by flowering time. nine0007

      According to the structure of inflorescences, varieties are divided into simple, semi-double and double.

      Depending on the height of the stem, there are:

      • high zinnia (60-90 cm), grown for cutting, because it looks a little bulky in the flower bed;
      • medium zinnia (35-50 cm) - suitable for both cutting and flower bed decoration;
      • dwarf zinnia, or dwarf zinnia (15-30 cm) are usually well-branched shrubs grown both in flowerbeds and in balcony containers and simply in pots. nine0012

      On the photo: Zinnia elegans

      According to the shape of the inflorescences, zinnias are divided into seven categories. In our climate, the most commonly grown of them are:

      • Zinnia dahlia – strong bushes, sprawling or compact, 60 to 90 cm high with shoots of the first order. The leaves are large - up to 12 cm long, inflorescences hemispherical, double, up to 14 cm in diameter. Varieties: Violet - terry zinnia 60-75 cm tall with dense inflorescences of different shades of purple, Orange kenig - on stems 60 to 70 cm high bright red-orange terry inflorescences up to 14 cm in diameter, Polar Bear - a compact plant up to 65 cm high cm with densely double white inflorescences with a greenish sheen; nine0012
      • zinnia midget, or zinnia pompom is a compact, branched shrub no higher than 55 cm with a large number of shoots of the second, third and fourth order, small leaves and small, only up to 5 cm in diameter, inflorescences resembling a pompom in shape. cap. Varieties: Little Red Riding Hood - a densely double variety up to 55 cm high with truncated-cone-shaped or rounded inflorescences of a bright red hue; Tom Thumb - a compact bush up to 45 cm in height with dense double red inflorescences in the form of a slightly flattened ball; Tambelina - a variety mixture of different shades with a bush height of up to 45 cm and an inflorescence diameter of 4 to 6 cm; nine0012
      • fantasy zinnia almost spherical compact bushes 50-65 cm high with large leaves and loose curly inflorescences, in which narrow reed flowers are folded into tubules and bent in different directions, and at the ends some of them are bifurcated. Varieties: Fantasy - a bush up to 60 cm high with terry loose inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter of different shades - purple, red, bright yellow, purple, red-orange, pink, white, salmon, etc .; The gift is bright red zinnia. nine0012

      In the photo: Zinnia elegans

      Also popular in the culture of other countries:

      • California giant zinnia - varieties of terry zinnias up to 16 cm in diameter with ligulate flowers and ligulate stems more. They differ in relatively late flowering;
      • Giant cactus zinnia - cultivars from 75 to 90 cm high with double inflorescences up to 11 cm in diameter with reed flowers rolled into a tube, sometimes wavy with raised tips; nine0012
      • Super cactus zinnia - varieties with inflorescences similar to giant cactus flowers, but not more than 60 cm high;
      • zinnia scabiose-flowered (aka anemone-colored) - varieties with an inflorescence up to 8 cm in diameter, in which reed flowers are located in one row around the middle, consisting of tubular flowers overgrown with corollas, from which the middle looks like a hemisphere, painted to match the reed flowers.

      Pictured: Zinnia elegans

      Angustifolia zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)

      Or Haage zinnia (Zinnia haageana) also comes from Mexico. This is an annual upright plant that forms branched bushes. Leaves sessile, lanceolate or elongated, pointed. Inflorescences are small, simple or double, bright orange. Varieties:

      • Glorienshine - strongly branched shrub up to 25 cm tall with double inflorescences, in which reed flowers are dark orange at the base, and red-brown at the ends; nine0012
      • Series Persian Carpet Mixed With semi-double bicolor buds in red with lemon, white, orange and yellow, a large array of this zinnia really looks like an oriental carpet.
      • The English variety mixtures Starbright and Classic also gained fame - plants with inflorescences of white, yellow and orange tones up to 30 cm in height with a thin and weak, but strongly branching creeping stem. These zinnias are mostly used as ground cover plants. nine0012
      • Sombrero zinnias look pretty in the flowerbed - inflorescences of a red-brown shade with an orange border.

      Pictured: Zinnia angustifolia (Zinnia angustifolia)

      Fine-flowered zinnia (Zinnia tenuiflora)

      Usually used for creating landscape flower beds and is a shrub about 60 cm high with articulated thin stems of a reddish hue. Inflorescences are small, up to 3 cm in diameter, reed flowers are narrow, bent, with twisted tips, purple hue. Varieties: Red Spider. nine0007

      Zinnia linearis (Zinnia linearis)

      Sometimes confused with narrow-leaved zinnia because of its thin and sharp leaves, like the ends of nail scissors. This is the smallest of the cultivated species - branching, almost spherical bushes grow no higher than 35 cm. Linearis inflorescences are small, reed flowers of yellow color with an orange edge. Zinnia linearis is suitable for growing in pots, in balcony containers, on alpine slides and in small flower beds. Grades:

      • Golden eye - white middle of tubular flowers, reed flowers of white color - the variety looks like an ordinary chamomile;
      • Caramel - the color of the reed flowers is caramel yellow, the center is black;
      • Yellow Star - variety with yellow inflorescences.

      In the photo: Zinnia linearis

      Many hybrids have been bred from the crossing of Haage zinnia and elegant zinnia, in particular, the Profusion series, which is very popular among flower growers - low bushes up to 35 cm, strewn with small multi-colored daisies. The Magellan series is also gaining popularity - bushes up to 35 cm tall with densely double dahlia-shaped inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter of coral, cream, orange, pink, red, cherry, salmon and yellow colors. The Swizzle series has recently appeared in the gardens, consisting so far of two varieties - Cherry Ivory with cherry baskets with cream-tipped reed flowers and Scarlett Yellow with red buds and bright yellow tips. nine0007

      Literature

      1. Read related topics on Wikipedia
      2. Peculiarities and other plants of the family Asteraceae
      3. List of all species on The Plant List
      4. More information on World Flora Online


      Cineraria: growing from seeds in the garden
      How to treat and fertilize roses in August, whether to prune

      Sections: Garden plants Garden perennials Garden herbaceous plants Garden flowering plants Garden annuals Compositae (Asteraceae) Garden shrubs Plants on C

      After this article is usually read

      Add a comment

      favorable planting days according to the lunar calendar

      These flowers appeared in Russian gardens more than 150 years ago, but they still do not lose popularity - zinnia is one of the ten most popular annuals in the world. And this is no coincidence - it is impossible to resist her charm. Even seasoned botanists at one time admired its beauty and gave the name "graceful zinnia."

      Now this plant is associated with the Russian grandmother's garden, it is actively used in the design of flower beds in a rustic style, and meanwhile, the birthplace of zinnia is Mexico. She has become like family to us. And the breeders tried and added incredible colors to it.

      Useful information about zinnia

      Sowing dates • for seedlings - March 15 - April 10;
      • open ground - May 20 - 31;
      • outdoors - 20 - 31 May
      The depth of the seeds of seeds 1 cm
      Place The well -lit section

      How to determine the terms of planting in its region

      Tsinniya - the Teplous plant is said. Therefore, seeds are sown in flowerbeds in the last days of May, when the threat of frost is already minimal. Seedlings are planted in late May - early June (1).

      The optimum age for zinnia seedlings is 60 days. Therefore, seeds should be sown in the second half of March - early April (2). Later sowing is also possible, throughout April, but then it will bloom later. nine0007

      How to prepare the seeds for sowing

      Before sowing the seeds, soak them for a day in warm water so that they swell. They do not require additional processing.

      - Soil for growing zinnias can be bought at the garden center - any universal soil will do, - explains agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova . - But remember that it is based on peat, and it dries up very quickly, so you need to constantly monitor the humidity and water the crops on time. In general, it is better to prepare the soil yourself. The ideal composition is a mixture of foliage (it can be collected in the forest), soddy land (from meadows), peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1: 1. nine0007 Photo: pixabay.com

      Zinnia seeds are sown in boxes or containers to a depth of 1 cm at a distance of 2 - 3 cm from each other. After sowing, the soil must be properly moistened with a spray gun so that it gets wet to the full depth, and then cover the box with foil and put it in a warm place with a temperature of about 25 ° C.

      - If seeds are fresh, sprouts will appear in about 5 to 10 days. Old seeds germinate longer - 8 - 12 days. As soon as the first sprouts appear, the film from the box must be removed and the seedlings placed in the brightest place - ideally on the southern windowsill - recommends agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova .

      When the seedlings have a second true leaf, they are planted in separate containers - small plastic cups will do just fine.

      Tips for caring for zinnia seedlings

      Lighting. Zinnias require plenty of sun. If there is not enough natural light, for example, seedlings are on the western or northern window, then additional lighting with phytolamps will be required. Otherwise, the plants will begin to stretch and be weak. nine0007 Photo: pixabay.com

      Temperature. Ideal for zinnia when the temperature is around 20°C during the day and 10-15°C at night. In such conditions, the seedlings are strong and stocky.

      Watering. Mature zinnias are drought tolerant, but young plants need plenty of water. But not frequent - it is important that the soil has time to dry completely, these plants do not like excess moisture.

      Top dressing. Usually, zinnia seedlings only need one top dressing - 2 weeks after transplanting into cups - with any liquid complex biofertilizer according to the instructions. nine0007

      If the seedlings begin to stretch (this happens if they do not have enough light, and the apartment is too warm), then once every 2 weeks they need to be fed with superphosphate: 2 tbsp. spoons per 10 liters of water - this fertilizer will slow down its growth.

      Pinching. A month after germination, it is useful to pinch the tops of the shoots of zinnia seedlings - after this, the plants will bush better and eventually produce more flowers.

      Hardening. Even if all the conditions are met, the seedlings still turn out to be pampered - the conditions of apartments are very different from street ones. Therefore, it must be prepared for planting in open ground - gradually harden. nine0007

      - They start doing this in the phase of 4 - 5 true leaves, - explains agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova. - First, the plants are taken out to the balcony during the day for 2 to 3 hours (in no case should they be placed in the sun - the seedlings should be in the shade during hardening, otherwise burns will appear on the leaves). Then the “walk” is increased, each time adding a couple of hours. After about 7 days, seedlings can be left overnight, but on condition that the air temperature does not fall below 10 ° C.

      Photo: pixabay.com

      Landing in open ground. Zinnia seedlings are planted in flower beds in the last days of May. But if it’s cold outside, the weather forecast promises frosts, then it’s better to wait until the beginning of June.

      Even flowering seedlings can be planted, provided that a clod of earth remains (3).

      Favorable days for planting seedlings at home or in a greenhouse

      Sowing seeds for seedlings: 16-17, 20-25, 29-30 March, 3-5, 7-9 April.

      Sowing seeds in open ground: 22 – 24, 28 – 31 May.

      Favorable days for planting seedlings in open ground

      Planting seedlings: 20-24, 27-31 May, 1-3, 5-6, 10 June.

      Popular questions and answers

      We talked about growing zinnias with agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mikhailova.

      How long does the germination of zinnia seeds last?

      Germination of zinnia seeds lasts 4-5 years, therefore it decreases. However, zinnia initially has a low germination rate - about 40%, the poet needs to buy seeds with a margin.

      Learn more