10/14/2023 0 Comments Growing zinnias from seed outdoors![]() ![]() ![]() The combination of dazzling zinnia colors and animated butterfly activity is certain to bring cheer and spirit to your garden. The bright colors of zinnia flowers make them particularly attractive for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.Zinnias are also not toxic for most household pets, so you won’t have to worry about your furry friends taking a bite. Zinnias are a favorite of Monarch Butterflies and many other pollinators (Even) More Reasons to Plant Zinnias Spraying zinnias against mealybugs, mites, and caterpillars is not necessary unless infestation is significant and leaf damage is substantial. If they’re too close, thin or transplant the seedlings so they have sufficient airflow between them. When the seedlings are about 8 inches tall, make sure they’re 6-12 inches apart (depending on variety). Sufficient airflow between plants can help discourage these diseases. Zinnias are prone to bacterial and fungal infections like powdery mildew and wilt. After blooming, if you let the seeds dry fully on their stem, you can save the zinnia seeds for planting the following spring. This will signal the plant to produce multiple stems below the cut, yielding abundant flower production and elongated stems. Deadheading, or removing old flowers, facilitates the formation of new zinnias. When zinnias reach between 8 and 12 inches (20 to 30 cm), snip 3 or 4 inches off the top, right above a top set of leaves, with sharp pruners. ![]() Compost added to the soil can add organic material and gently feed the flowers, encouraging abundant blooms.Ī Zinnia loaded with pollen You can encourage zinnias to branch and produce more flowers The soil should have sufficient organic material and have adequate drainage. Zinnias need full sun and ample air movement to resist fungal diseases. ![]() Once you have determined when you will plant your zinnias, you need to think about where you will put them. Seedlings should emerge within 10 days if the soil is warm and blooms generally follow 60 days later, depending on variety. The spacing of the plants depends on the variety you are planting, so read the seed pack for the specifics. Zinnia seeds should be planted 1/4 inch deep in the soil. Doing this over the course of several weeks will provide blooms well into fall. If sowing seeds outdoors, do so in several sequences, with generous amounts of seeds each time. This date varies by location so it is critical to know the last frost date for your area. Wait to plant zinnias until after the threat of frost has passed in your area – zinnias will not tolerate a spring freeze. The delicate petals of zinnias are beautiful from every angle When to plant zinnias The blooms are tolerant of all kinds of weather and last from summer to fall. Mid-height zinnias, those in the Magellan and Zahara series, grow to be about knee-tall. Shorter types, such as the Thumbelina and dwarf zinnias, are great for borders, edgings, and even window boxes. The taller kinds, like Zinnia elegans, are more appropriate for a garden background. Zinnias can flower in star, daisy, dahlia, quill-cactus, button, spider, and dome shapes. Zinnias are also characterized by their shapes and heights. One can choose from pink, red, orange, purple, white, and yellow-or any combination of two or three of these colors. With names like ‘Pop Art’, ‘Star Orange’, ‘Green Envy’, ‘Persian Carpet’, and ‘Candy Cane’, the blooms come in many hues. Zinnias are perfect for any sunny spot in your garden where you want to infuse color. There are many varieties and colors of zinnias
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