Zinnia perennial seeds

• 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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 bring the flower indoors with the onset of autumn and take care of it like a houseplant, turning it from an annual zinnia into a perennial.

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Species and varieties

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 zinnia linearis. 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

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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.

Zinnia is highly resistant to drought and heat. Unpretentiousness in care allows you to grow a crop in many regions with mild and warm winters. nine0075 In the middle latitudes, annual varieties are common, since the Mexican culture does not tolerate even small frosts and dies. Among summer residents is often referred to as "major".

Botanists give zinnias the following description:

1. Perennial herbaceous bush plant of the Asteraceae family.
2. Tall species, the height of the shoots in different varieties varies from 20 cm to 1 m, there are also higher specimens.
3. Foliage ovoid, slightly pointed at the end, covered with hard hairs, hairs directed oppositely or whorled. nine0012
4. Inflorescences form isolated heads up to 2–4 cm across, forming at the very top of the shoot.
5. Reed-type flowers grow in several tiers. The color of different varieties varies, there are white, orange and red tones. The flowering period begins in July, lasts until the autumn cold.
6. It bears fruit with an achene equipped with a tuft.

Zinnias have little to no smell and are therefore harmless to people suffering from allergic reactions.

The most beautiful species and varieties with photo

In nature, there are many types of crops, from which a large number of varieties with unique characteristics were later isolated.

All varieties can be divided into three groups depending on the size of the plant:

1. Tall. The length of the shoots is 60–90 cm, they are grown for bouquets, in flower beds such giants look bulky.
2. Medium height. Peduncles are extended by 35–55 cm. They serve as decoration for urban garden beds. nine0012
3. Short. Stems 15–30 cm long. Suitable for home flowerpots and flower beds.

Fine

Annual, one of the most popular species. Tall, shoots stretch up to 90 cm, the stem is stable, easily tolerates adverse weather factors.

Existing varieties of zinnia elegant are divided into groups:

• dahlia-shaped - massive inflorescences, tall bushes;
• chrysanthemum flowers - stem 40–80 cm, massive baskets, up to 16 cm in diameter; nine0012
• pompon - branched, with abundant and long (up to a month) flowering, frost-resistant;
• fantasy - compact spherical shape, shoots up to 65 cm, loose flowers with shaggy petals.

Most popular varieties:

1. Violet. Spreading, shoot height 75 cm. Inflorescences are dense, velvety, the color of the buds is purple.
2. Lavender Queen. The bush is branched, reaches 80 cm in height. Inflorescences are collected densely, massive, up to 12 cm in diameter. Lavender type flower, purple color. nine0012
3. Little Red Riding Hood. Shrub with increased terryness, with age takes the form of a ball. It stretches to a height of half a meter, the inflorescences are velvety, dense, 4 cm in diameter. The flowers are rich red, do not fade even under direct sunlight.
4. Tom-Tamb. Low (up to 45 cm) compact shrub. The inflorescences are dense, covered with pile, about 5 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is rich red, does not fade in the sun.

Angustifolia

Strong shrub with straight stems. It forms many shoots up to 40 cm high. The leaves are classic, grow up to 6 cm, expand towards the base. Inflorescences are miniature, up to 4 cm in diameter, plain. The color is often rich orange, some varieties have reddish spots on the tips of the petals. nine0007

Seeds of narrow-leaved zinnia, remain viable for 4 years.

Sunny circle variety is especially popular due to long abundant flowering. The bush is smaller in height (up to 25 cm), the inflorescences are velvety, about 3. 5 cm in diameter. The buds are dark orange closer to the base, red at the ends.

Subtle

Tall (up to 60 cm) species. Shoots are thin, cranked, light red. Inflorescences 3 cm in diameter, reed type flowers, tips slightly bent. The color is purple. In horticulture, the Red Spider variety is common. nine0007

Linearis

Similar to Zinnia angustifolia - both species have pointed and narrow foliage. Cultivated more often than others. The bushes are compact, grow up to 35 cm, taking the shape of a ball. Inflorescences with yellow petals and an orange outline.

Most common varieties:

• Golden eye - white flowers, tubular core, shaped like daisies;
• Caramel - black core, caramel yellow petals.
• Yellow Star - yellow flowers. nine0012

Graceful

angustifolia

thin color

Linearis

Video "Planting and caring for zinnia"

This video introduces the fundamentals of horticulture farming.

Features of agricultural technology in the open field

Seed and seedling methods are suitable for cultivation. Given the thermophilicity of the crop, planting seeds in open ground is carried out in the second half of spring, when the risk of late frost has passed (even -1 ° C at night is already dangerous). Suitable end of April or beginning of May, depending on local conditions. With such planting dates, flowering will begin in 2 months, by mid-July. If it is cold at night in the region even in June, it is better to use the seedling method.

Place and soil for planting

With any planting method, the site and soil are selected according to the same principle. Zinnias feel comfortable in drought conditions, with minimal watering, without shade. If you place the flowers even in partial shade, the buds will fade, the stems will begin to grow excessively.

Strong winds are dangerous for flowers - bushes lose their growth. Therefore, it is better to plant the crop on the sunny side, surrounded by natural shelters from wind and drafts.

There are no special requirements regarding the soil, any compositions are suitable for flowers. It is better that the acidity is neutral or weak, all the same, the main vital components of zinnia are obtained through photosynthesis. A classic fertile substrate, sold in gardening stores or hand-made from peat, sand and sheet soil, will do. nine0007

Much more important is the temperature regime. In order for the bush to grow and bloom normally, during the day the temperature should be in the range of 18–22 ° C. The mark may be higher, but a decrease even to +10 ° C is already dangerous.

Growing from seeds

In warmer regions, seeds are planted directly in garden soil in mid-May. Germination is about the same as with the seedling method, but there is noticeably less hassle with the material.

Cultivation is carried out in stages:

1. In the ground, make beds 2 cm deep, in increments of 20 cm for small varieties and 30 cm for large ones.
2. Planting area is watered using a spray bottle, otherwise shallow seeds may be washed out with water.

Seedling planting

Mid-April is suitable for planting. The material is first checked for suitability, for which the seeds are treated with Epin and wrapped in gauze. A few days later they check. High-quality material will already hatch, the wrong time will take more. nine0007

Seeds sown in March:

• prepare peat pots, moisten the substrate;
• are sown in each pot, 3 pieces, so that you don’t have to deal with picking later, immersing 1 cm in the soil;
• slightly watered;
• withstand containers in a bright room with a temperature of 23 ° C.

Seedlings will hatch in a couple of days. In mid-May, the finished seedlings must be hardened, for which the container with sprouts is taken outside for a short period during the day. At the end of May, they are planted in open ground. Miniature bushes are planted in the same way as the seeds. nine0007

Watering and fertilizing

Planted seeds and seedlings are watered daily for the first month, each time using a spray bottle. Water is used little, the soil must be loosened to a depth of 2-3 cm, weeds are removed. Adult bushes are watered from a watering can with a narrow spout, poured under the root, not on flowers. A convenient time for watering is morning or evening, a cloudy day is also suitable.

Feeding for zinnia bushes is required twice per season:

1. At the end of autumn, six months before the future planting, organic fertilizers are applied to the soil in the prepared area. Humus, compost, mullein solution are suitable. The entire area is carefully dug up. Manure is not needed, there is no need to resort to such a strong remedy at this stage. nine0012
2. At the very beginning of the budding period, complex mineral or phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied. Nitrogen at this stage will only harm, because they stimulate the growth of green mass to the detriment of the formation of buds.

Pinching and pruning

For about a week, young seedlings adapt to the conditions, then it is advisable to pin them down. This is done at a distance of 3-5 cm from the top of the shoots. The procedure will increase the branching of the plant, will allow the formation of new side shoots. As a result, the bush will take on a magnificent, picturesque appearance. nine0007

During the budding period, the number of buds to be planted can be increased, for which additional pruning is organized.

Post bloom care

Seeds that mature 2 months after the start of the growing season should be collected regularly. This will help preserve the decorative appearance of the bushes, at the same time prevent self-seeding of the crop. If you need planting material, choose inflorescences that are among the first to open. Cut mature dark brown baskets. Then they are dried, the seeds are hulled, which are then kept warm at a constant temperature. nine0007

Wintering perennial

Outdoor shrubs with the advent of autumn, it is desirable to transplant into pots or containers, and then move to a warm room. Here, until the next season, they are looked after as indoor flowers. In this case, the perennial will live for a long time.

Dangerous diseases and pests

Like any garden flowers, zinnias are attacked by pests. The following are dangerous:

1. May beetles, slugs. It helps to install nearby bowls of beer - the drink attracts insects. Another option is to collect slugs and bugs by hand. nine0012
2. Aphid. Get rid of it with a solution of tar soap. With a strong infection, treatment with Fufanon will help.

Common ailments threaten culture:

• powdery mildew;
• gray mold;
• bacterial spot;
• Fusarium.

Having discovered the disease, first cut off the affected leaves, in case of extensive areas of damage, the entire plant is removed. Then apply specialized fungicides. It is worth remembering that with proper care, the risks of diseases are significantly reduced. nine0007

Zinnia in landscape design

Due to the picturesque flowering, plantings of culture adorn city flower beds and suburban areas. With their help, landscapes are decorated in a rustic style, combining with asters, calendula and daisies.

Tall varieties are used to decorate mixborders, borders are decorated with dwarf ones. It is also convenient to organize "fences" with the help of undersized bushes, separating the beds with greens from vegetables.

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