Zinnias are easy to grow from seed. You want your Zinnia plants to spend their energy making more flowers, not producing seed. Zinnias are very easy to germinate indoors and should sprout within a week after sowing. Soil: The only real soil requirement is that it be well-draining. This type of soil will provide stability for the seedlings while allowing enough air pockets for the plant roots to receive adequate oxygen. Zinnias can grow in any type of container, including plastic or clay pots, wooden half-barrels, a window box, or a hanging basket, but select a container that has at least one drainage hole to help prevent fungal growth in the soil. If you are growing seedlings indoors under lights, adjust the fluorescent lights to remain only 3 or 4 inches above the seedlings as they grow … I clip off the dead ones but even the live ones look very muted in color. You should not miss this: Growing Vegetables Organically in the Backyard. Today, I want to talk to you about how to grow zinnias in your spring garden. Prune the Zinnia plants… I was so hesitant to prune back my little Zinnia plants. I am growing zinnias and their color seems very faded. depending on the variety to maximize air circulation and reduce powdery mildew. Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days. These pretty flowers come in a range of colors and sizes, they are great cutting flowers and look nice in arrangements, they are very easy to grow, and they keep producing blooms all summer, even when it’s very hot. And I think that's EXACTLY the problem. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Give Zinnias plenty of suns and grown in the shade are often leggy and susceptible to mildew. Growing Zinnias. Love the information on zinnias, Erin. An easy way to do this is to set the flat, pots, and tray in a container of water so the water seeps up into the soil. Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. Pests/Diseases Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt may affect zinnias. If you have limited sun in the yard, a container will allow you to move your Zinnias to catch the rays. Leaf miners, aphids, spider mites, and beetles are among the insects that attack Zinnia plants. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. You can start by purchasing seedlings at a garden center or nursery, but don’t buy them more than a day or two before you’re ready to plant. Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators are drawn to these vibrant flowers. The most common cause of early seedling death is “damping-off,” a fungal disease that affects the new plant stem just at soil level. To be honest, all my seedlings are slow growing this year. When you fill the pots, the soil level must sit 1 to 1 1/2 inches below the top to allow room for watering. Zinnias are annuals, so they will grow for one season and produce seeds, but the original plant will not come back in subsequent years. In case if you miss this: Growing Microgreens in Aquaponics. Now back to farming, gardening profession as a plant Breeder, Gardener and Writer. Dwarf common Zinnias like Short Stuff series and Small World series are grown in containers. Step 6) Dig a 2-inch-deep hole in the growing medium with a pencil and then pour 2 tablespoons of rooting hormone powder on wax paper. Plant zinnias in rich soil amended with compost … Zinnias grown in the shade are often leggy and susceptible to mildew. I have been growing State Fair Zinnias for a few years, and they are stunning, multiple pinks, deep rose, yellow and a few white. Sow Zinnia seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last winter or spring frost. If you have purchased zinnias from a local nursery and been disappointed with the results, try planting them from seed instead. Zinnias make excellent cut flowers, and come in varied sizes, colors, and textures. Be sure not to get water on the leaves. The bottom leaves keep turning brown and falling off. The right care for Zinnia plants such as proper lighting, temperature, and water-needs can greatly vary depending on the type of seeds being sown. Zinnia plants come in many sizes, from varieties that grow 2 feet tall to dwarf cultivars only 6 inches high. Alternatively, horticultural oil and soap is an effective treatment. Select varieties that are shorter, as the tall Zinnias won’t do as well in containers. Growing zinnias from seed might be one of the easiest gardening tasks of the year. Pick beetles from the Zinnia plants by hand, and destroy the insects. Read this blog post to learn more about how to save seeds. Thin out the seedlings, so you end up with one plant every 12in (30cm) or so. Some zinnas, like Zinnia angustifolia, are creepers, perfect for the front of the garden. Simply, we may clip the flowers and gently rub them between fingers, so that the seeds will fall in our paper bag. Zones: Annual Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring to frost Color: Golden yellow (shown), deep red, orange, carmine rose, coral, lime, wine, purple, bright pink, white, salmon rose, and scarlet. Even though Zinnias are fast-growing plants, starting Zinnia seeds indoors could help you get an even faster jump on the growing season, a plus if you’re growing Zinnias for cut flowers. Blooms produced by Zinnias need a great deal of energy from the plant. The primary troublemaker for zinnias is mildew. Zinnias may win the prize for easy-grow annuals, growing from seeds into bright-colored flowers that last through summer and into fall. Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. Keep the soil moist until the Zinnias have new growth in about 2 to 4 weeks. Zinnia flowers are colorful additions to any flower garden, they’re great for cutting, they are easy to grow and start from seed, so they make a great choice for container gardening. where they add beauty and attract pollinators. If Zinnias didn’t develop correctly, it is most likely a result of their specific care requirements. Growing zinnias in mixed colors gives you plenty of flexibility, and you can save seeds from varieties you especially like. Since they're fast-growing, they shade out weeds. The petals will dry and fall away. Your email address will not be published. . And, with pots, you can grow these pretty flowers inside in the winter, adding cheer to the colder months. Flowering annuals are grown in containers that add color to an apartment terrace, a garden patio, or another outdoor location. See my disclosure policy for more information. I’ve had the most success starting zinnias indoors in seed trays just a few weeks before the last frost date. Seeds that contain an embryo will be kind of fat. If you’re growing dwarf Zinnia plants in patio pots, however, you can simply direct-sow the seeds in the containers that you’ll move outside when the weather warms in spring. If the seed does not contain an embryo, it will be empty and it will not be a viable seed. Though, if we indeed want to collect Zinnia seeds, we can do it very easily. It helps to have a soil pH in the neutral range, but it’s not mandatory. Mr. Reddy was born in farmer's family and was into 'IT' profession where he was not happy with his job. Growing Garden Zinnias. Dried good zinnia seeds are also visibly fat, and if you gently pinch them between your thumb and forefinger you can feel that the seed is thick enough to contain a dried embryo. I planted Zinnia from seed at the end of May, and so far I have 6″ skinny stems with only a few leaves. Watering the drill Zinnia plants are flowering annuals that make a perfect addition to a garden or patio with bright, colorful flowers for summer. There are several possibilities I can think of right away: one is that they are still too young to bloom, another is that they are not receiving enough sunlight, and the third is that they have been provided with too much nitrogen. 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. Zinnias are an excellent cut flower and last up to 10 days in a vase. Then, water the growing medium until water drains from the pots. They are annuals for almost every location and come in a fabulous array of colors. Water the pots immediately after sowing the Zinnia seeds to induce the germination process. Because of this, Zinnias thrive best in full sunlight, requiring 6 or more hours per day. In this article we also discuss below topics; To propagate, use seeds formed by the Zinnia’s flowers to plant more Zinnias in the balcony garden. My zinnias grew a few feet tall and rebloomed colorful flowers for several months. Zinnias need many hours of bright, direct sun to flourish. At the end of the season, leave the blooms on the largest, prettiest flowers. What is your soil like? I grew some from seed last year and they did not disappoint. And, they don’t like to be crowded. Creeping Zinnia plants do well in containers. Disinfect a previously used container to kill disease organisms or pests before use by soaking it in a solution that’s one part bleach to 9 parts water for 10 minutes, clean with water that have a little dish detergent, and rinse well. Teach your friends how to grow zinnias too. and last up to 10 days in a vase. Zinnia seed production will affect in a rapid decrease of flowering. Then, we can use paper bags (so that they absorb moisture) to collect the seeds. You can direct sow as soon as the soil has warmed a bit and there is no chance of frost. This is because of either lack of water, too much shade, or improper nutrition. Space plants 6” to 18” apart depending on the variety to maximize air circulation and reduce powdery mildew. Cut the flower at the end of the stem when harvesting. A sterile and fast-draining potting soil containing vermiculite or perlite is best for Zinnia seedlings. Minimize wetting of foliage and space... Caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites also cause problems. How long does it take for a Zinnia seed to sprout? We’ve know folks who just sprinkle the seeds—and voila! Support for zinnias is sometimes required depending on the variety. It’s best to group multiple pots into a plastic flat and cover the flat with a clear plastic lid to trap in humidity. Step 1) First, fill a seed tray, peat pots, or flat with a starter potting mix. Learn how to grow low-maintenance zinnias and add a long-lasting pop of color to your garden during even the hottest months of the year. Step 5) Set the tray, pots, and flat in a bright area, but not directly in sunlight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Keep the soil most, but not saturated, as seedlings begin to grow, and cover with a cloche. First, we have to stop deadheading the plant, to allow the Zinnia flower to produce seeds. Too little sunlight for too long will prevent new Zinnia plants from germinating and seedlings from developing. Alternatively, you can grow zinnias in a heated greenhouse. Thank you, Richard. You have entered an incorrect email address! They can be grown in regular containers or hanging baskets. Plant them about 1/4” right in the ground, spaced as much as your chosen variety needs, anywhere from a couple of inches to a couple of feet. Zinnias are typically long-lasting in a vase—strip the stems of all but the most visible leaves before setting them in water. Zinnias cut your workload. Keep soil moist, but not soggy until germination and maintain temperatures between 23 and 26 °C. Planting: Zinnia is extremely easy to start from seed. There are many reasons to grow Zinnia plants. Zinnias suffer from a different variety of fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and alternaria leaf spot. Zinnia tenuifolia ‘Red Spider’ – a compact zinnia, with wide-spaced, spidery petals, growing to a height of 60cm; Zinnia haageana ‘Soleado’ – known as the Mexican zinnia, this species has smaller leaves, making it more tolerant of hot dry conditions and winds.‘Soleado’ bears masses of single orange flowers on strong, stems. They are drought tolerant and don't need coddling. Mine are in full sun with about 15 inches of good soil. When choosing Zinnia plants for potting, add some Zinnias for blossoms that keep coming all season long. Step 4) Lay a piece of plastic wrap loosely over the top of the soil or slide the tray, pots, or flat into a plastic bag, not tight or sealed. When the weather is warm and humid, Zinnia plants are usually attacked by mildew. If the temperature in your house is usually lower than 23°C, place the pots on a heating mat set to the lowest setting. But staking zinnia plants is limited to the really tall zinnias – those that grow to 3 feet (1 m.) or more. Step 3) Then, pour the mixed growing medium in five 6-inch pots to 1 inch from the top of each. They are susceptible to a few diseases and pest problems but are otherwise low-maintenance plants. Plant zinnias in the right location. Zinnia plants can be grown from nursery plants but grow easily from seeds. "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. Start seeds f… As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Then, the stem becomes brown, rots and the little plant topples over and dies. Mound the growing medium around the base of the stems and put the pots in a westerly facing window. Provide a way to raise the lights as the plants grow, keeping them about 3 to 4 inches above the tops of the plants. Where spring warms up early, wait until the last frost has … Let the flower head dry completely on the plant. As they all spread to 1 or 1 1/2 feet, a good rule of thumb for spacing is to set one Zinnia in a 6-inch pot, three plants in a 10-inch pot, and up to 5 Zinnias in a 14-inch pot. [7] Zinnia plants are one of the easiest flowers to grow, as they grow quickly and bloom heavily. However, when they reach three inches (about 8 centimeters), their leaves may be growing to the point they're touching and overlapping. This Zinnia species is native to Mexico, and it is fast-growing and long-blooming. Others grow to several feet tall. Step 3) Sow 2 or 3 seeds per seed compartment, planting them one-half inch deep. Hello Angela, I really enjoyed reading your article about growing zinnias, I found it very helpful. Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best.This is especially true of young plants. Mist the soil daily to keep it moist until the seeds germinate. At the end of the season, leave the blooms on the largest, prettiest flowers. Humid weather is popular here in Florida. Zinnia plants don’t need supplemental fertilizer throughout the season. Don't overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils. Zinnias are easy to get started from seeds, because their seeds are large and easy to handle, and they germinate quickly. To prevent these problems, grow Zinnias in full sun with plenty of air circulation. Step 4) Clean the blades of garden scissors with soapy water and allow them to air dry. This must usually happen after the weather starts to warm up and after having the seeds in a smaller pot for about 4 to 6 weeks. To start zinnias from seed (indoors or outside), poke the pointy end of the seed into the soil and then cover it lightly with soil. Required fields are marked *. If you can’t plant immediately, water the Zinnia seedlings and keep them in a shady spot until you’re ready. Then, plant seedlings in outdoor containers any time after the danger of frost has passed. Zinnia blooms don’t continue to open once cut; harvest flowers when all the petals are open. Zinnia plants are best started by direct-seeding in the garden; therefore, it is best to sow the Zinnia seeds indoors into 2 1/2- to 4-inch biodegradable peat pots that will break down when planted outside in the soil. Short Stuff Zinnias grow to about 10 inches tall while Small World Zinnias top out at 6 inches. It’s best to water in the morning so the plant leaves dry out quickly in the sun. For a cheaper alternative, use paper egg cartons as seed trays that can be planted directly in the garden along with the Zinnia seedlings. Zinnia Growing Tips. Semi-tropical zinnias need warm conditions to grow well, so I wait until late spring to start seeds indoors. Zinnia blooms don’t continue to open once cut; harvest flowers when all the petals are open. Zinnias are low maintenance. It helps to have a soil pH in the neutral range, but it's not mandatory. Zinnia seeds need a sowing depth of 1/4 inch. Profitable Hydroponic Crops – A Full Guide, Organic Gardening Set Up Guide for Beginners, Growing Star Anise In Pots – Containers At Home, Rock Gardening Ideas, Tips, And Techniques, Home Vegetable Garden Ideas in India – A Full Guide, Growing Christmas Tree In Containers, And Pots At Home, Butterfly Gardening Ideas, Tips, And Techniques, Tomato Plant Spacing in Containers, Ground, Growing Hydroponic Chives, Planting, Care, Harvesting. They are in the direct sun for a few hours in the morning but not for a long time. Zinnias roots do not like to sit in damp soil and excess moisture improves their chances of getting powdery mildew. Step 2) Moisten the soil evenly with water before planting the Zinnia seeds. They are erect-growing, profusely blooming flowers which can grow to varying heights of 3 to 36 inches, depending on the variety. If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later. There are great reasons to consider growing potted Zinnia plants. They are a member of the Asteraceae family of plants. At this point, use garden shears to trim any leaves and thin the plants so they're about six to 18 inches (about 15 to 46 centimeters) apart. In case if you are interested in How to Make Money from Dried Flower Business. After collecting them, we can spread them in shallow cases or some paper indoors, for a couple of weeks, to allow them to dry out completely. Then, squeeze the excess water from the peat moss and mix it with the sand and perlite. That is frustrating. A step by step guide to growing Zinnia flowers indoors, Choose short or dwarf Zinnia varieties for containers, Gardening tips for growing Zinnia flowers indoors, Growing Zinnia flowers from cuttings indoors, Commonly asked questions about growing Zinnia flowers indoors. Step 2) Combine two quarts each of fine, sterile agricultural sand and agricultural perlite. Space the Zinnia plants so air circulates freely around them, and water them using soaker hoses and drip systems, rather than overhead sprinklers, to keep their leaves dry. Place the pots under fluorescent grow lights as soon as seeds germinate, in about 10 days. Step 5) Select five healthy side shoots from the Zinnias that have at least one leaf node on each. In most cases, no cure exists for infected Zinnia plants. 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