How to Grow Zinnia Flowers
Zinnias are a really neat flower They come in a wide variety of colors with
large, profuse blooms. They are truly an easy to grow annual flower. Zinnia
offers many colors and mixed blooms to choose from. Flowers will
bloom from mid-summer all the way until frost.
Zinnias make good cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Variety abounds!
There are many varieties of Zinnias. Certainly, there's at least one variety
to fit every flower gardener, and for every need. There is a profusion
of colors, multi-colors, and hues. Colors include, white, yellow, orange,
red, rose, pink and multi-colored blooms. There are miniature and giant varieties
ranging in size from about a foot for miniatures to giant varieties that
can grow over three feet tall!
You can select the color and size that is perfect for your flower garden.
If you are planning a container garden, make sure to include some miniature
zinnias.
Propagation:
Zinnias are grown from seed. Zinnia seeds can be directly seeded into your
flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. We recommend planting
Zinnias in pots and containers indoors, then transplanting them outdoors.
This allows you to make the proper spacing and not have to thin seedlings.
Sow Zinnia seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil. Water
thoroughly once. They germinate easily and will grow quickly, producing their
first of a continual display of blooms by mid-summer.
Transplant young Zinnia plants into your garden after the last frost date
for your area. Spacing depends upon size, with miniature varieties spaced
four to six inches apart, and Giant varieties one to two feet apart.
How to Grow Zinnia Plants:
Growing Zinnias is a cinch! Zinnias like rich, well drained soil, but are
very tolerant of average to slightly poor soils. Improving your soil quality
will produce much healthier plants and flowers, so add plenty of compost.
Add a general purpose fertilizer once a month.
Once your Zinnia plants are established, they should grow well. Soil
should be moist, but not wet. Water them during dry periods, once or twice
per week.
Add mulch around the plants for appearance and to keep weeds down.
Around mid-summer, your plants will begin to produce flowers and will continue
to do so up to the first frost. You should remove dead flower blooms to encourage
new growth and new blooms. Improve appearance of Giant Zinnias by trimming
back stems that have grown long or gangly, but do not over trim them.
Zinnias are annuals and are susceptible to frost. They may survive the first
light frost with only a little damage. They will not survive a hard frost
or freeze.
Cuttings for Indoors:
Giant Zinnias have long stalks for flower vases and other arrangements. Cut
the stem low, check for insects hiding in the flower head, on the stem, and
under the leaves. Bring them indoors and place in water immediately.
For miniatures, use a small container or vase and cut stem a couple inches
long. Bunch up a variety of colors for an eye-appealing arrangement. Add
a small sprig or two of Baby's Breath.
Insect and Disease:
Zinnias are somewhat resistant to insects and disease. If insect or disease
problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents
and fungicide.
More Information:
Buy Zinnia Flower Seeds
How
to Grow Zinnia Flower Plants
Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow".
Buy Guarden Raised Garden Bed Frames Perfect for people
who aren't into building their own raised beds. These raised beds are attractive,
long lasting and affordable. Guarden raised bed frames are the strongest
in the industry. A greenhouse system can be added to them, too. |
