How to Grow Zinnia Flowers
Zinnias are a really neat flower, that is very popular in home flower gardens.
Zinnias come in a wide variety of colors with large, profuse blooms. Flowers
will bloom from mid-summer all the way until frost. Zinnia is an easy to
grow annual flower.
Zinnias make good cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Plant Height: Miniature varieties grow as small as 6 - 8 inches. Giant
varieties grow 3 - 4 feet.
Zinnia Varieties Aplenty!
Seed companies offer a wide variety of Zinnias. Certainly, there's at least
one variety to fit every flower gardener, and 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 to four feet tall!
Select the color and size Zinnia, that is perfect for your flower garden.
If you are planning a container garden, make sure to include some miniature
zinnias.
More information, see: Popular Zinnia varieties
Plant 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
Zinnia seeds 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. The seeds germinate easily, and 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.
Days to Germination: 5 - 10
How to Grow Zinnia Plants:
Growing Zinnias is a cinch! They are one of the easiest flower plants to
grow in your home flower garden.
Grow plants in full sun. They like warm to hot weather.
Zinnia plants like rich, well drained soil. But, they 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, especially with average soils.
Once Zinnia plants are established, they should grow well. Soil should
be moist, but not wet. Water plants during dry periods, once or twice per
week.
Add mulch around the plants for appearance, and to keep weeds down.
Around mid-summer, your Zinnia plants will begin to produce flowers. The
blooms will continue, up to the first frost. Remove dead flower blooms, to
encourage new growth and blooms. Improve appearance of Giant Zinnias, by
trimming back stems that have grown long or gangly. 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.
Flowers Bloom: Summer thru Fall
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 Gardening Resources:
How
to Grow Zinnia Flower Plants
Zinnia Flower Gallery -
pictures for your personal and non-profit use
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