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. They are good for indoor
arrangements.
Variety abounds!
Zinnia comes in many varieties with at least one variety to fit everyone
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 Zinnias 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:
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, 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 Zinna Flower Seeds
How
to Grow Zinnia Flower Plants
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