Sowing seedlings of zinnia. Planting zinnia and caring for it in the open field: detailed instructions

Zinnia (growing from seeds and seedlings) - when to plant flowers.

Zinnia flower is a very bright and beautiful flower. It belongs to decorative annuals for planting in gardens and flower beds. A healthy multi-petalled flower that sits on a tough, strong stem can range in height from 50 to 90 cm. There are dwarf varieties, the height of which is 25-30 cm.

Zinnia can be easily grown from seed or seedlings. This plant is very unpretentious. to ensure good flowering, it is enough to plant it in a sunny place, provide moderate watering and sufficient soil fertility. The time from germination to full flowering averages 60-70 days. That's why. if you want to speed up the appearance of zinnia flowers, its seeds should be planted as early as possible.

There are two ways to grow zinnia. The first way is to sow seeds in open ground, and the second - growing from seedlings. For those areas where there are no frosts in May, it is recommended to plant zinnia seeds directly in the open, while planting depth should be 3 cm. It is better to sow seeds in the 2-3rd decade of May. To do this, put a few seeds in a small hole. Holes should be made at a distance 20-30 cm. In a week you will be able to see the first shoots. Some experts recommend covering the holes before germination with a special covering material to protect them from cold and drying out.

After the shoots of zinnia appear, they need to be provided with moderate watering, top dressing several times over the summer and careful loosening of the soil. If you have chosen to grow zinnia from seeds, then you will be able to see a flowering plant not earlier than the end of July - the beginning of August.

As for growing from seedlings, to obtain it, you need to plant zinnia seeds in pots of 2-3 pieces. in the beginning of April. This plant does not like diving, due to the fact that it does not tolerate damage to the root system. When sowing seedlings, try to plant them not densely, and if the plant is stretched out, it is necessary to add soil to the pots, so the Zinnia seedlings form additional roots. When to compress seedlings? It can be planted in a flower bed in late May - early June.

Zinnia in seedlings should be planted with a distance of 30 cm from each other, while care must be taken when handling the plant with soil from the pot. If you have chosen this planting method, then you will see a flowering plant in early July.

So to summarize:

Sowing zinnia seeds for seedlings - early April.

Planting zinnia seedlings in flower beds - late May - early June.

Zinnia - unpretentious plant, capable of growing in any regions, although its homeland is Central and South America. For the first time, the ancient Aztecs started growing zinnia in the 15th century, but the flower appeared in Europe only in the 18th century. Breeders have bred many varieties with a wide variety of bud colors. With the help of these shades, you can give brightness to any flower bed by planting tall and short varieties that grow from 20 to 100 centimeters. Growing zinnia from seed- The job is easy. To do this, it is not at all necessary to be an experienced grower or have special knowledge.

Growing zinnia from seed

How to grow zinnia from seeds?

Zinnia flower is distinguished by the shape, size of the buds and the surface of the leaves, which can be double or smooth. Zinnias are easily combined with any plants, so some summer residents use the plant to create an original and aesthetic flower bed. Gardeners most often plant such varieties of zinnia: graceful, dahlia, pompon, chrysanthemum. They are less whimsical, do not need complex care and quickly adapt to new conditions.

Zinnia bloom

What is the best way to plant zinnia? It all depends on where you live. For example, if you live in an area with a warm climate, then planting a flower is possible directly in the soil itself. But if the climate in your area is unstable and a severe frost can suddenly fall at night, then it is recommended to grow seedlings from seeds. How to do it?

Sowing seeds: what not to forget?

Selection of planting material. Where do you buy zinnia seeds? Experts advise not to give preference to spontaneous markets and grandmothers who “guarantee” high-quality goods. It is better to trust specialized stores and nurseries for breeding planting material.
Container preparation. What container is suitable for growing zinnia seedlings? Deep. The main feature of plant seedlings is the presence of a long, well-developed root system. Therefore, containers must have a depth of at least 10 centimeters.
The soil. The soil mixture for sowing seeds should consist of soddy soil, humus and peat, taken in equal proportions. If you cannot mix all the ingredients yourself, then immediately purchase a ready-made soil mixture in the store.
Disinfection. Before sowing, the seeds must be soaked using a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Those that come up are not suitable for planting, and the rest are placed on a damp cloth for germination. The first sprouts most often appear on the second day, which indicates good seed germination. If the seeds are old, then they can hatch in 5 to 7 days.

How far apart are the seeds? Zinnia planting material is laid at a distance of up to 3 centimeters from each other, deepening them by no more than 1 centimeter. After sowing, the soil must be moistened with a sprayer. Seedlings can be sown in a common container, individual cups or peat tablets. Individual containers are preferable, so when transplanted into open ground, seedlings are not injured and adapt more easily. Planting seeds is carried out no earlier than April, so that the seedlings do not have time to start tying buds, otherwise, when transplanted into open ground, zinnia may drop them. If you sowed the seeds in May, then the first flowering can be expected in early July.

Immediately after planting the seeds, the container is covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect. In the shelter, you can make several small holes for air exchange. In order for seed growth to continue actively, it is important to maintain a certain level of soil moisture by periodically adding water to the pan with a container. After the appearance of sprouts, the film can be removed.

Caring for zinnia seedlings at home

As soon as you see the first leaves, immediately start adding light top dressing.

Growing zinnia: when and how to plant seedlings in 2018

Do not immediately fill the flower with a large amount of mineral fertilizers. At first, you can try adding a small amount of top dressing, highly diluted with water. The first serious feeding is done after the appearance of four true leaves, and then fertilized weekly. An alternation of root and foliar top dressing should be carried out with complex mineral fertilizers diluted in water for irrigation. But, the solution should not fall on the leaves of the seedlings, so as not to cause burns. But that is not all.

Seedling care consists of:

Transplants. If the planting was carried out in a common container, then when the seedlings reach a height of up to 8 - 10 centimeters, they must be transplanted into individual containers, deepening the seedlings to a depth of two centimeters. This will contribute to their rapid growth and protect against the spread of infections.
Hilling. Upon reaching 10 centimeters, the seedlings should be spudded (create a small earthen hill at the root), which will contribute to the appearance of adventitious shoots.
Pinching. At the same time, you need to pinch, removing the shoots at the base of the root, at a height of two centimeters.
hardening. Want to grow healthy seedlings? Then in 10 - 14 days, start hardening it, taking it out to the loggia for several hours.

Many summer residents are delighted with zinnia. Why? The flower has pointed, egg-shaped leaves, and graceful basket-shaped buds, the diameter of which is from 3 to 16 centimeters. Only one flower blooms on each stem and the plant blooms, almost all summer, starting in June. From mid-May, if frosts have passed, zinnia can be planted in open ground. To do this, choose a well-lit place, with fertile soil. Do not plant zinnia in the lowlands, where a large amount of moisture collects. The root system of the flower does not tolerate stagnant water, so the result of such a transplant can be deplorable.

Zinnia can endure various vagaries of the weather, even cold down to -4 degrees below zero. But it is better to save young seedlings, and if necessary, make shelter for the night. Zinnias look good in bouquets. You need to cut them off when the bud has opened a little more than half. In order for the bouquet to stand longer, it is recommended to burn the cut points, and place the flowers in warm water. So, now you know how to grow zinnia at home. Bloom this beautiful plant will not leave anyone indifferent and will make your country cottage area the most attractive.

Zinnia - planting and care in the open field, types and varieties

The genus Zinnia (Zinnia) from the Asteraceae or Aster family has about 20 species of herbaceous and semi-shrub annual, perennial plants. In nature, culture grows in regions of South and Central America. The genus is named after the German professor of botany and pharmacology, director of the botanical garden in Göttingen, Johann Gottfried Zinn.

The plant is characterized by a straight stem, along which are located in pairs oval leaves of intense bright green color. At the ends of the shoots, magnificent single inflorescences-baskets are formed, which are distinguished by a wide range of colors, although the most popular are shades of pink, orange, lilac, red, yellow and white. The annual is characterized by long and abundant flowering - from June to late autumn.

Thanks to its ease of care in the open field, zinnia is one of the most popular garden flowering plants, ideal for creating magnificent flower beds and flower beds. Low forms look good in container gardening and along paths. And cut flowers can stand in a vase for about 2 weeks. The annual is well suited for filling empty spaces after flowering bulbous primroses.

Popular types and varieties

Only two types of zinnia, diverse in their decorative possibilities - Zinnia elegans and Zinnia angustifolia, as well as their numerous hybrids and varietal forms, are widely used in garden gardening.

Zinnia graceful(Zinnia elegans) is the best known species. Thanks to the work of breeders, a large number of varieties can be found and new forms are constantly being created - from miniature, reaching 30 cm in height to almost 120 cm tall. Inflorescences with a rich color palette can be simple, double and semi-double and vary in size - from small (3 cm) to impressively large (15 cm in diameter). Seed germination lasts 3-4 years.

According to the structure of inflorescences and height, this species is divided into garden groups of zinnias:

dahlia. The height of some specimens can reach 120 cm. It is distinguished by a large number of large spherical flowers 12-15 cm in diameter. On one bush there can be about 25 pieces! Among the group we will find such valuable varieties as the giant "Benary's Giants Series", the low "Burnus" (55 cm) with bright red flowers, the snow-white compact "Polar Bear" (60 cm), the pink "Eldorado", the purple "Purple Prinse" and "Violett" of all shades of purple, etc.

Chrysanthemum. It grows up to 60 -70 cm and has no less impressive inflorescences of orange, bright yellow, soft pink, coral and purple. Popular varieties: "Coral Pink", "Fantasia", a series of hybrids "New Burpee's Hybrids".

Giant cactus flower also called needle-shaped with petals of a characteristic needle-like shape. As a rule, it reaches 60-80 cm in height. The most common on sale are multi-colored varietal blends and "Burpees Spielarten" in pastel colors. Sometimes you can find seeds of individual varieties of intense orange, light pink or dark lilac.

pom pom zinnias differ in the most abundant flowering and do not exceed 40-50 cm in height. Among them, one can single out the variety mixture Liliput and Thumbelina with miniature plants up to 15 cm in height. Small terry dense inflorescences-balls 4-6 cm in diameter. Well-known and popular varieties in horticulture include compact bushes of densely doubled "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Tom-Thumb" with flatter inflorescences.

angustifolia(Z. angmtifolia) also known as Mexican (Z. Mexicana). It has narrower, elongated leaves and forms a branched bush, often creeping, up to 40 cm in height. Single or semi-double inflorescences are small and not as showy as other species.

The palette of flowers is usually monophonic, yellow, orange or white, sometimes with a contrasting dark color of the tips of the reed petals, however, red, pink or purple colors can be found in varietal forms. For example, magnificent undersized variety mixes "Persian Carpet" and "Candy Stripe".

Features of care

Zinnia thrives in a sunny and warm location. For good growth and abundant flowering requires fertile, slightly moist, permeable soil.

When and how to plant zinnia when growing from seed

You can improve the clay structure of the soil by adding coarse sand and compost to it. The culture is resistant to short-term drought, during the period of active growth after planting zinnia requires moderate watering.

If the soil is rich in nutrients, then plantings do not require fertilization. In a poor substrate, the first fertilizing with organic and nitrogen-containing fertilizers for flowering crops is carried out long before the period of flower bud development and then repeated during the budding period.
The subsequent care of zinnia is limited mainly to the systematic removal of wilted inflorescences, maintaining uniform soil moisture during the hot period and loosening.

Planting zinnia and growing from seed

In the cultivation technique, the seedling method of planting zinnia is used. In late March - early April, the seeds are sown in containers with peat to a depth of about 1 cm in a room with a temperature of 22 to 24 ° C. Before sowing, it is advisable to soak the seed material in a damp cloth. This will help you select seeds with good germination. Containers are placed in a well-lit place, but not in direct sunlight. Watering is carried out with a spray. The substrate must be constantly moderately moist. The first shoots appear after a few days.

When the senets produce the first two true leaves, they are dived into separate pots. In May, the seedlings are hardened, exposing them to the open air during the day. They are planted in a permanent place in the garden in the second half of May, when the danger of the slightest frost has passed. Planting zinnia is carried out at a distance of 20-40 cm from each other. The time that passes from sowing to flowering is approximately 12 weeks.

Seeds can also be sown directly into the ground at the end of May. Flowering in this case should be expected much later. Too dense seedlings are thinned out.

Zinnia is one of the ten most popular flowers suitable for growing in garden plots. Growing zinnia from seeds is practiced even in the territories of Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. Depending on climatic conditions, both annual and perennial varieties can be propagated by open sowing in the ground or by seedlings. The cold climate provides for the cultivation of seedlings, and in the southern territories the seeds will sprout well and grow right in the garden. Just keep in mind that return frosts will destroy plantings. Dangerous cold even down to -1 ° C. But about everything in order below.

How and when to collect seeds

A couple of months after the buds appear, you can start collecting seeds for the next season. For this, the largest heads are suitable. These are usually the first inflorescences. Seeds in dry brown buds are considered mature. There is no particular difficulty in collecting seed material, they are quite large.

The seeds of the culture are very large, so there should not be any difficulties in collecting them.

How to collect seeds

Mature flower heads are carefully cut and laid out to dry in a calm, warm room. Seed material is collected from dry inflorescences by shaking.

For your information! Seeds remain viable for up to 4 years. Store them in paper bags in a dry place.

Remarkably, in one inflorescence there are seeds different types. Plants of different colors grow from them. Thyroid seeds will give flowers with a single-row arrangement of petals, and triangular and lanceolate - semi-double buds. If the seed is oblong with an awl-like tail, then this is the third species. What will come of it, time will tell. Thus, a scattering can be grown from one head the most varied types and zinnia flowers.

Note! Seeds from the first few buds are most likely to replicate parental traits and have excellent germination.

Seed selection and planting time

For seedlings, zinnias are sown no earlier than April. Considering the monthly period of growing seedlings, for a cold climate it is more appropriate to sow in May. If there is a choice, seeds should be selected for freshness, as germination decreases every year.

Preparing seeds for planting

Before sowing, the material must be prepared. To identify germinating seeds, it is enough to keep them in a tissue impregnated with epin. After a couple of hours, you can choose shiny and dense specimens for sowing.

For your information! Freshly harvested seeds will hatch in a couple of days, and old ones will sprout in a week.

Sowing seeds in spring directly into the ground

This crop does not tolerate transplants well, so it is best to sow the seeds directly into the ground. To prevent freezing of sprouts, a bed with seedlings can be covered with plastic wrap. Even in the southern regions, it is recommended to sow in open ground in late May - early June. True, the flowering of the plant will be delayed for a couple of weeks, but the plantings themselves will be stronger and healthier.

How to grow zinnia seedlings at home

Seedlings of zinnia at home are developing well. To grow seedlings of majors, you need to prepare in advance:

pots or containers;
priming;
seeds;
film or glass;
spray.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Given the fragility of the sprouts and the undesirability of traumatic transplants, a wide seedling container should be chosen. The holes should be located at a great distance from each other (5-6 cm). The soil will need loose. The optimal composition (in equal proportions):

garden land;
peat;
sand;
humus.

In each hole, 3-4 seeds are laid out to a depth of 1 cm. The crops are lightly crushed with dry soil or peat and sprayed with warm water. For the best result, the box (container) with seedlings is covered with a film or glass and placed in a warm (22-24 ° C) place. With step-by-step compliance with the rules, the first shoots will appear in 2-3 days, and then the seedlings can be opened.

Note! A good option for seedlings of majors - these are individual pots or peat tablets.

Picking seedlings and caring for young zinnias

Growing zinnia flowers from seeds at home is not difficult even for a beginner grower. To get healthy strong seedlings, you need to follow certain rules. Perhaps the main one is not to thicken the crops. Young sprouts of majors are very fragile and are severely injured when picking. Hence the long survival, and late flowering, and the frail quality of an adult bush.

Picking seedlings - a painful procedure for sprouts

Considering good size seeds, it is quite possible to regulate the density of crops. If you still need a pick, you need to do this at the stage of 5 leaves. This usually happens at a sprout height of 10 cm. In the main container, you need to leave the allowable number of seedlings, and carefully dig out the excess for transplanting. To do this, prepare separate pots and fill them with a dry soil mixture. A hole is made with a stick or a finger and a sprout is planted there, the soil is compacted and watered with settled water.

For your information! To strengthen the young plant, the seedling during planting must be deepened to the level of the cotyledons. This will enable the green leg to acquire adventitious roots and strengthen the root system.

Seedling hardening

For better rooting, seedlings need hardening. To do this, in the last days of May (10-14 days before planting in the ground), you can open the window in the room where the seedlings stand for the whole day or take the pots to a cooler place - to the balcony, loggia, terrace. You should start with a few minutes and increase the time during the week. A week before planting, the seedlings remain cool on an ongoing basis. Be sure to cover the seedlings from direct sunlight and drafts.

Why seedlings are stretched

A common problem when growing zinnia seedlings is pulling the seedlings out. Moreover, the stems become brittle, bend down to the ground. It must be remembered that culture grows very quickly. It mainly comes from:

Stretched sprouts

lack of lighting (less than 12 hours);
early sowing;
thickening of crops;
growing at elevated temperatures.

If this has already happened, you need to urgently save the seedlings. Firstly, provide them with sufficient light (only diffused), secondly, reduce the temperature in the room (especially at night), and thirdly, deepen the basal part of the stem horizontally (further adventitious roots will grow on it). A good option with adding earth, if the parameters of the pot and the degree of its fullness allow.

Note! If the situation is hopeless, then you need to tie the elongated stems to the pegs.

Zinnia: growing from seeds

When steady heat sets in, the soil warms up and night frosts recede, you can plant majors in a permanent place. To begin with, the seedlings are abundantly spilled with settled warm water. This will allow less injury to tender roots when separating seedlings. Next, the root system must be carefully placed in the finished hole to a depth of 10-15 cm, covered with dry earth (peat, rotted leaves), slightly squeezed around the stem and poured with warm water.

Important! If the seedling is in a peat cup, then the plant is planted in the hole right in it.

A few tips for soil preparation:

before planting seedlings, it should be fed with mineral fertilizers;
dilute with sand and peat for deoxidation;
after disembarkation, mulch (with peat, sawdust, sand).

Landing in open ground

When to plant zinnias in the ground

in southern latitudes and central Russia zinnia seedlings are planted in open ground in the third decade of May (taking into account the retreat of spring return frosts). On the territory of Siberia, the landing is postponed for another half a month or a month. In any case, 1-1.5 months should pass from sowing to disembarkation. If everything is done correctly, then a month after landing in open ground, the first buds will appear.

Planting seedlings of zinnia in open ground

A place for planting seedlings should be prepared in the fall, that is, dig up a bed, clean it of weeds, add rotted manure or leaves, because zinnias need loose, fertile land. The site must be protected from the winds, well lit by the sun.

Pinching sprouts should be done for greater bushiness.

Before planting in the spring, the bed needs to be loosened and seedlings planted at a distance of 0.2-0.4 m from each other. This distance depends on the type of plant. Tall species should be planted further apart.

Note! For greater bushiness, the stems of the plant need to be pinched, but only after rooting.

The method of planting depends on the capacity of the seedling. This is either transshipment or landing directly in an individual pot. In both cases, the bush should be deepened by 1-1.5 cm.

Zinnia is so diverse that it can decorate any flower garden or front garden near the house. Unpretentiousness in cultivation and care only increases the popularity of this crop. The main thing is to take into account climatic conditions and adhere to planting dates. Then a multi-colored carpet of majors will delight the eye for a long time.

Zinnia is rightfully considered an ornament of a flower bed. And this is not a compliment to the plant, but an objective reality. During the flowering period, on erect stems covered with large ovate leaves, bloom large flowers that retain their shape and attractiveness for up to 3 weeks. This American beauty, numbering up to 20 species, feels great on our continent.

Zinnia loves sunny areas that are well protected from the wind. Prefers neutral well-drained soils rich in humus. Zinnia is drought tolerant, but up to a certain moment. If the drought period is prolonged, then it is necessary to resort to artificial watering, otherwise the inflorescences will be small and unattractive.

The flower does not tolerate frost and is severely damaged if planted at the wrong time. He does not like cool rainy summers either. In such conditions, it grows poorly and almost does not bloom.

Zinnia reproduces only with the help of seeds.

Sowing dates for zinnia

The timing of sowing zinnia depends on whether you prefer the seedling or seedless method of growing the plant.

The advantage of the seedling method is that zinnia will begin its flowering 2-3 weeks earlier than the one that will be sown directly into the ground in a flower bed.
When planting a plant, remember that zinnia is a heat-loving sissy and you need to be very sensitive to the timing of planting:

zinnia is sown for seedlings 1 month before planting in open ground, that is, somewhere in early May, so that in the first decade of June, seedlings can be transferred to a flower bed;
zinnia is sown directly into the ground with the onset of stable heat (in temperate latitudes this is the beginning of June).

Sowing for seedlings

At the beginning of May, the purchased soil for growing flowers is evenly distributed over small containers so that the container 7-10 cm high is half filled. 1 seed grain is placed in each container, which is pre-soaked in a solution of the growth stimulator "Epin". Zinnia seeds are large, so this is easy to do. Cover with foil on top.

If you create comfortable conditions, and this is + 22ºC ... + 25ºC, the first seedlings will appear in 3-5 days. They sprout together, thanks to the growth stimulator, and also grow quickly. During this period, the plant needs moderate watering.

When the sprouts get a little stronger, earth is added to the container so that adventitious roots can develop. This will allow you not to transplant seedlings into a larger container and create conditions for a more complete growth of the plant.

A week and a half before planting in open ground, seedlings begin to slowly harden off, taking them out to the balcony. At this time, they are preparing a flower bed for planting a plant. The earth is dug up along with humus and a small amount of sand. In early June, seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place.
If you are planting several varieties of zinnia at the same time, then do not mix them up when planting so that the taller one does not drown out the undersized zinnia. Each plant is planted at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other in order to:

provide room for the growth of lateral shoots at the flower;
at the first stage, it was possible to carry out weeding and loosen the soil.

Sowing in open ground

During the preparation for the season, gardeners are under such a load that there is neither time nor space to grow all crops through seedlings. Therefore, in early June, when many works are already behind, it is time to sow zinnia in open ground.
Sowing will give the first shoots for 7-10 days or a few days earlier if you cover the bed with a film.

Over time, the seedlings obtained in this way are transplanted, maintaining the distance between the plant bushes.
If it is necessary to form a more lush bush, pinch the zinnia in the growth zone. Then new shoots begin to grow from the lateral sinuses. Regular watering will provide the plant with an impeccable appearance and long flowering time.

Housewife advice. Water zinnias infrequently, but plentifully. And never water from above, use only bottom watering, otherwise the flowers will rot.
And yet, the flower is very fond of eating slugs. Lightly sprinkle the ground around the plant with slaked lime and the slug will go away.

Zinnia (or zinnia) - ornamental plant which is very popular among gardeners. It has a huge varietal diversity, can be grown in flower beds or in pots as a houseplant. And the main advantage of the culture is that it grows very quickly and does not require careful care. How zinnia reproduces: growing a plant from seeds in different ways and features of crop care.

Zinnia is a plant that naturally grows as a perennial, but in our cool climate it is most often grown as an annual. It belongs to the Astrovs, and came to the expanses of the Old World at the beginning of the 18th century. This is a herbaceous or semi-shrub plant, the height of which depends on which variety the flower belongs to, and can vary from 20 cm to a meter.

The stem and leaves, having an oval, slightly pointed shape, are covered with small stiff bristles. Inflorescences are collected in baskets with a diameter of 3 to 14 cm and are located on small branched or long straight stems. Zinnia has a wide range of shades, and the only color that is not found on zinnia bushes is blue. The plant blooms from mid-June until the start of frost.

There are 22 varieties of zinnia in total, but four species are used for ornamental cultivation, which became the basis for a large number varieties.

Table 1. Varieties of zinnia common in horticulture

View	Description	Photo
	The most numerous variety, which is divided into several groups. The height of the bushes can vary from 35 to 90 cm, and the petals are reed, double or twisted. Varieties that belong to this species can have both a standard color and a rare one - orange, lilac, purple, etc.
	Bushes growing up to 60 cm with thin, brittle stems that have a reddish tint. The inflorescences are small, no more than 3 cm in diameter, the petals are usually painted in a rich red color, have an elongated shape and bent outward, slightly twisted tips.
	A variety of zinnia with a branched stem up to 45 cm high. Leaves with sharp tips, lanceolate, inflorescences are relatively small (5.5 cm in diameter), which can have different shades
	A dwarf variety of culture that grows up to 25-35 cm. The bushes are highly branched and have an almost spherical shape. The leaves are narrow, dark green, the plant blooms with small flowers, among which there are originally colored representatives.

Advice! Zinnia is appropriate in any compositions landscape design, and it looks especially good against the backdrop of lush greenery. Most often, the flower is used to create a light rustic style, and in addition, it is well suited for cutting and creating bouquets.

Prices for zinnia seeds

zinnia seeds

Growing from seeds

From seeds, zinnia can be grown both with the help of seedlings, and by sowing seeds directly to the garden plot. The second method does not require a serious investment of time and labor, but experienced gardeners say that the seedling method is better suited for culture. The climate in central Russia is cool enough for a heat-loving plant, and seedlings have time to get stronger before picking in an open place. You can read about what seedling picking is in.

Site preparation

For sowing zinnia, you need to choose a site with good lighting, hidden from drafts and strong winds. Flowers feel best on nutritious soils with neutral acidity and good drainage. It is better to start preparing the earth in the fall - dig a plot to a depth of 45 cm, add organic matter (humus, rotted mullein) to it at the rate of 9-11 kg per square meter. If the land on the site is prone to stagnant moisture, you can add some sand to it. In the spring, the place intended for planting must be dug up again and all weeds must be removed.

Important! When planting zinnia, it must be remembered that this crop is extremely sensitive to temperature drops - young plants will die even if the thermometer outside the window shows -1 degree for a short time.

Sowing directly on the bed

It is necessary to choose the time for sowing crop seeds directly on the site depending on the region - it is desirable that the threat of frost is left behind. On average, the culture is sown in late March or early April, but you can slightly postpone the procedure.

In the selected area, make holes about 5 cm deep with an interval of 10 cm, put seeds in them (you can put several in one hole at once), sprinkle them with soil.
Zinnia seeds germinate in about a week. When they grow up a little, the plantings should be thinned out, leaving a gap of 20 cm between undersized bushes, and at least 30 cm between representatives of tall varieties.
So that young plants do not die when temperatures drop, it is recommended to protect them with a special material. With proper care, the first flowers on zinnia bushes will appear around mid-July.

Advice! Before planting the seed in the ground, it is recommended to cover it with insulated synthetic fabric for several days. This will provide a greenhouse effect, prevent moisture evaporation and improve seed germination.

Growing seedlings

Zinnia is planted for seedlings in the second half of April. It is not advisable to carry out the procedure earlier, since the seedlings of this crop grow quite quickly, which creates many problems for the gardener. Large sprouts require a lot of space, and during transportation and planting in open ground they can be easily broken. In addition, well-grown plants take root in the area worse than young ones.

To obtain seedlings from seed, any nutrient soil mixture and sufficiently voluminous, deep containers are suitable. You can plant seeds in peat cups - this will facilitate transplantation and eliminate the possibility of damage to the roots during the procedure.

peat pot prices

peat pot

Table 2. Step-by-step instruction for growing seedlings of zinnia

Step, No.	Description	Photo
	Fill the containers with soil, make small grooves on them about 1 cm deep
	Wrap the seeds in a piece of natural cloth moistened with warm water and put on a plate, making sure that the cloth is constantly moistened. You can soak the seed in a growth activator like Epin, following the instructions for use of the drug
	Young zinnia seeds germinate in about 3-4 days, older ones take at least a week. Seeds that did not hatch after 7-9 days can be safely disposed of - most likely they will not sprout. Sprouted seeds are planted in prepared containers at a distance of at least 2-3 cm, covered with soil, sprinkled with settled water
	Place the containers in a place with good lighting, the optimum temperature is 21-25 degrees, spray regularly from a spray bottle, but do not overmoisten. Seedlings that grow in large boxes should be dived into individual containers after the sprouts have reached a height of 10 cm.

Advice! If the seedlings are too stretched out, they can be slightly buried in the soil, and before planting in the ground, you need to lightly pinch the main root so that the rest root system could branch well.

Planting seedlings in the ground

Planting seedlings in an open area is carried out in May, after the onset of sustained heat. Before the procedure, the plants can be fed with complex fertilizers and be sure to harden.

To do this, they are taken out into the air, first for 10-15 minutes, and then the ventilation time is gradually increased.

Holes for seedlings should be slightly larger than an earthen clod, and they should be dug at a distance of about 35 cm. Plants should be carefully transferred to a prepared place, planted, covered with earth and tamped a little. After they take root a little, you need to pinch the top over 3-4 pairs of leaves, but if you plan to grow zinnia on long stems, you can skip this step.

Zinnia Care

Zinnia practically does not require care, but in order for the plantings to retain their decorative appearance, they need to be watered, loosened and fed.

Watering. Plants need to be watered rarely, but plentifully. Since zinnia belongs to the southern heat-loving crops, it tolerates drought much more easily than stagnant water, but with a long absence of moisture, the flowers can become pale.
Loosening. Remove weeds and loosen the soil regularly, as the root system of flowers needs oxygen and nutrients.
Top dressing. You need to feed zinnia twice - four weeks after picking in an open area and during the period when the first buds appear. For this, a mullein solution or complex mineral mixtures for flowering crops are used.

To stimulate the emergence of new buds and flowering, you need to regularly remove dry or damaged inflorescences. A few flowers can be left to collect seed - after the seed pods mature and turn brown, they must be cut with scissors and the seeds removed. Sowing material can be stored in a paper envelope for 3 years, but every year their ability to germinate decreases.

Attention! When watering zinnias, it is important to ensure that water does not get on the peduncle, otherwise the bushes may begin to rot.

Video - Zinnias, cultivation and care

Growing at home

Growing zinnias from seeds at home is no different from cultivating a plant in the open field. They need deep enough containers for the root system to feel good, moderate watering, enough heat and fertilizing twice a season. In winter, it is recommended to illuminate the flowers with a special lamp so that the daylight hours are at least 12 hours. The best specimens growing on the site can be transplanted into flower pots before frost and cared for as a houseplant.

What causes zinnia

Usually plantings of zinnias are affected by diseases when the rules of care are violated - constant stagnation of moisture near the root system. To avoid the death of plants, they must be regularly checked for damage by fungi or pests.

Powdery mildew. It appears as a gray coating that covers the leaves of plants. To combat the planting disease, you need to treat it with a fungicide and adjust the irrigation regime.
Gray rot. It looks like a fluffy mold that appears on leaves and stems. To get rid of it, you need to use colloidal sulfur or special preparations.
Bacterial spotting. Greyish-brown spots on zinnia leaves are indicative of bacterial spotting. It is impossible to get rid of this disease, so the affected plants should be dug up and destroyed as soon as possible so that it does not spread to all flowers.
Aphid. Insects appear at the beginning of summer and cover parts of plants - their clusters resemble small dark spots. Aphid larvae suck the juice from young shoots, which causes considerable damage to them. To destroy aphids, drugs like Aktara are used.
Slugs and snails. These pests damage the decorative appearance of flowers - they gnaw through the leaves and slow down the development of plants. It is quite difficult to deal with them - you can scatter pieces of slate or linoleum around the site, under which insects like to crawl, and then collect them manually.

With proper care for zinnia, its lush flowers of various colors will please the eye for a very long time. On average, the flowering of a culture lasts 35-40 days, and even cut inflorescences placed in water do not wither for 10-14 days.