zinnia seeds

What month do you plant zinnia seeds?

Planting: Plant zinnias in spring after all danger of frost has passed, around the same time you'd plant tomatoes. Zinnias are easy to grow directly-seeded into the garden. For sooner blooms, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date.

Do zinnias come back every year?

Zinnias are annuals, so they'll grow for one season and produce seeds, but the original plant will not come back in subsequent years. They have bright, solitary, daisy-like flowerheads on a single, erect stem, which makes them great for use as a cutting flower or as food for butterflies.

How late can you plant zinnia seeds?

I plan succession plantings commencing in late May and continue through about the first week of July. This guarantees showy blooms through late September. It is not too late to plant a few zinnia seeds for late summer color that will last until the first frost.

Do zinnias need full sun to grow?

Zinnias' pointy seeds, shaped like little arrowheads, require only basic garden prep to sprout: sow them in well-drained soil, where there's full sun and lots of summer heat, and you'll have tiny seedlings in days, with flowers powering up in just a few weeks.

Should I soak zinnia seeds before planting?

Seeds can be planted indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and the seedlings can be easily transplanted into your outdoor garden later on. ... Moreover, it is best to soak dried seeds in water for 4-6 hours before planting.

Are zinnias good in pots?

Zinnias are colorful additions to any flower garden, they're great for cutting, they are easy to grow and start from seed, so they make a great choice for container gardening.

Do you deadhead zinnias?

Deadhead Zinnias to prolong blooming time. Zinnias flourish when they are deadheaded and it encourages the flower to continue to bloom. ... You can either pinch the flower off or use a small pair of garden shears to cut them off.

Do zinnias like lots of water?

Cover the seeds with a quarter-inch of potting soil and pat gently. ... Once they are 3 to 4 inches high, water them deeply a couple of times a week, depending on weather. Zinnias aren't drought tolerant, but they like their soil a little on the dry side. The soil should not be continuously wet.

Do zinnias self seed?

Zinnias (Zinnia spp.) reseed easily, creating a cut-and-come-again garden each summer. ... Zinnia haageana "Persian Carpet" and Zinnia elegans "State Fair" and "Liliput" are a few of the heirloom varieties that grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 1 through 10 and reseed each year.

Can I plant zinnia seeds in July?

Not many flowers are grown from seed these days, but zinnias are worth the effort. ... Last year I got a late start on my summer flower garden, not planting my zinnia seeds until July. The recommended time is May or June so that plants can become established before the intense summer heat.

Should you pinch zinnias?

Sweet peas will branch into a much fuller plant with pinching. When you are happy with your plants' shape, stop pinching and let them grow. Zinnias and cosmos are especially generous bloomers if pinched. Pinch early to promote branching, then “pinch” by cutting flowers.

Can you save zinnia seeds?

Save zinnia seeds: After the flower dies, simply pull out the petals, the seeds are attached to the bottom of them. Put inside of a simple brown paper bag and store in a cool, dry place until next spring! Save on seed costs!

How do you germinate zinnia seeds indoors?

Sowing Seed Indoors:

Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula.
Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F.
Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.

What can I plant with Zinnia?

Choosing Types of Zinnias

They look especially beautiful when you sprinkle your seeds among a mix of cut flowers such as dahlias, marigolds, asters, and petunias. Want tall, back-of-the-border plants with huge blooms like a dahlia?

How do you start seeds in egg cartons?

An easy solution is to cut off the container lid and put it under the bottom of the carton. Poke holes in the bottom of each egg cup and any moisture will drain out and into the lid underneath. Fill each egg cup with potting soil and place seeds in to the appropriate depth.

Why are my zinnias dying?

A: Zinnias can be prone to several bugs as well as the most common problem -- powdery mildew, which is a disease that turns the leaves whitish, then brown. The holes could be due to Japanese beetles or to a couple of other smaller beetles that sometimes eat zinnia leaves.

How long does it take for zinnias to bloom?

Thin the seedlings to spacing of 6 to 18 inches (depending on variety) by snipping at the soil line with scissors. (Tip: Pulling out seedlings can disturb the roots of those left behind.) Zinnias grow quickly and you'll have beautiful bright blooms in about 60 days.

Are there dwarf zinnias?

Dwarf Zinnias– Dwarf zinnias are most commonly planted in flower borders and reach around 10 inches (25 cm.) in height at maturity. Noted for their small size, these short plants grow well when interplanted with other annual and perennial flowers and shrubs.

Why do my zinnias look bad?

Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt may affect zinnias. Minimize wetting of foliage and space plants properly to avoid disease. Caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Some leaf damage is not an issue, so avoid spraying unless there's a true infestation.

Is Epsom salt good for zinnias?

Feed plants with nitrate-based fertilizer at 200- to 250-ppm nitrogen. Interveinal chlorosis may indicate magnesium deficiency; supplement with MgSO4 (Epsom Salts) at 16 ounces/100 gallons. If grown on the lean side and too dry, zinnias may flower prematurely.