Zinnia low growing from seeds. Zinnia - growing from seeds at home. Choosing a place for planting zinnia

Experienced flower growers know that, subject to all the requirements for culture, it will acquire its attractive appearance and decorative properties. Of course, an important condition for competent care is the correctly selected landing date according to the lunar calendar.

The advantage of zinnia is that it is resistant to various diseases, pests, and easily tolerates heat. Attractive beauty attracts the eye of gardeners for a long time. Duration of flowering from the first days of July until frost. With the onset of cold weather, the flower instantly disappears; it is not at all adapted to endure a cold climate. This is the reason why this crop is mainly grown as an annual.

The most popular species are elegant and narrow-leaved zinnia, among them you can often find undersized, medium and tall.
Empirically, it was determined that the most favorable time for sowing is the middle of spring, preferably in April. Well, still, not every gardener can find time and prepare a flower bed at the ideal time for the plant. In this case, you should be aware of the existing negative consequences.

For zinnia, the optimal time for sowing seeds for seedlings has long been determined: it falls in mid-April. Not every gardener has the opportunity to plant exactly at these times, so you need to understand why they are recommended and what their non-compliance is fraught with, as well as how to help flowers planted at another time.

Early dates

If you sow zinnia much earlier - in March or February, then after the first seedlings appear, they may not have enough natural light. In the event that the grower is determined to get flowering bushes ahead of the standard time, he will have to provide additional lighting using phytolamps with violet light in the 440-445 nm spectrum. It is this wavelength that is necessary for the successful development of the vegetative parts of the plant, which are formed within two months after sowing.

It is possible to illuminate seedlings only in the morning and evening hours, when it is already dark outside the window, but most often supplementary illumination is carried out throughout the day. It is important to remember that phytolamps are not a complete replacement for sunlight, but they can reduce stress from lack of light.

A more affordable option is to use fluorescent lamps. Zinnias will suffer more in this case, but still a little support will be provided with a short daylight hours.

If planted too early, the bush may stretch out, its internodes will be longer than the required size, and the stem will be thin and fragile. This complicates transportation to the place of landing in open ground and makes the plant brittle.

Late dates

It is not advisable to plant zinnia for seedlings later than April, since about 2.5 months pass from the moment of sowing to the beginning of flowering, which will significantly reduce the flowering period of the crop. In addition, with this approach, the time of transplanting into the open ground falls on months with rather harsh weather conditions: in July, when the seedlings are ready for planting in a permanent place, hot weather sets in, which complicates the survival and adaptation of plants in new conditions. Because of this, the percentage of dead seedlings will be much higher, and the stress period for established flowers will be much longer than for those planted on time.

Moon calendar

Novice gardeners often neglect the recommendations of the lunar calendar for sowing dates, but those who have been growing flowers for a long time know that this factor is best taken into account. To choose the most suitable sowing time, you should carefully read the Lunar calendar for April 2020. It should be familiar with the phases of the moon.

Sowing on the right day increases the percentage of germination of zinnia, promotes the formation of a strong and branched root system, initiates the growth of all above-ground organs, and ultimately makes the seedlings healthier and more viable.

In April 2020, the most favorable days for sowing ornamental plants for seedlings will be as follows:

• April 1, Wednesday. The first quarter of the lunar cycle, 8, 9 lunar day.
• April 2, Thursday. Growing moon, 9, 10 lunar day.
• April 28, Tuesday. Growing moon, 6, 7 lunar day.

Since zinnia should be planted in mid-April, the following dates should be chosen:

• April 14, Tuesday;
• April 18, Saturday;
• April 19, Sunday.

Sowing on these dates will ensure the normal development of seedlings and the formation of a large number of buds on adult plants.

On April 15, 16 and 17, it is not worth sowing zinnia seeds, since these days are unfavorable according to the lunar calendar.

Planting tank selection

Zinnia seeds should be planted in separate containers.

The main thing is that in each container in which you will grow seedlings, there are drainage holes, they are needed so that moisture does not collect and the roots do not rot. If there were no holes in the container initially, make them yourself, you can use:

1. nails;
2. scissors;
3. awl.

If you decide to sow zinnia seeds for seedlings in a common box, then you should choose a wide container for this so that you can leave the necessary gap between the seeds. Thanks to this, you can do without a pick, a suitable height of the box is 10 centimeters.

Land preparation

An important step before sowing seeds is the preparation of the soil mixture. In the event that the seedlings are not comfortable, it will be noticeable on their growth. The most important aspects for a suitable soil are nutrition, its lightness and friability, and of course, excellent breathability.

You can opt for already prepared soil for flower seedlings, if it is not particularly loose, we recommend adding some kind of loosening element to it: perlite or sand.

Detailed instructions for sowing zinnia seeds at home:

1. at the bottom of the prepared container, it is necessary to place a drainage layer of 1.5 - 2 centimeters;
2. fill the container with soil, leaving a minimum distance to the edges, no more than 2 centimeters;
3. then abundantly moisten the earth - it is better to use a spray bottle;
4. we make small holes in the center of the container itself, 3.5 mm deep;
5. put the seeds in the hole;
6. fill the holes with soil and water;
7. to create favorable greenhouse conditions, it is worth covering the container with a film.

Basic rules for caring for zinnia seedlings

In order to be able to wait for the successful growth of seeds at home, you need to constantly care for the seedlings.

We suggest studying the following factors for caring for seedlings:

• temperature regime - watch the temperature, it can only be in the range of 23 - 25 degrees Celsius, and after the seeds germinate 18 - 20 degrees during the day and 18 - 16 at night;
• lighting - just like any kind of seedlings, zinnia needs sunlight, if it is not enough, then it is worth using additional lighting;
• watering seedlings - it is necessary to strictly monitor the moisture and maintain its control in the soil, drying out and excess water are also dangerous, all this will negatively affect the sprout;
• pinching - if you want the flowering to become more magnificent, you cannot do without it, it is done on the fourth and fifth leaves;
• pouring soil - it is necessary when the plant grows up and forms several real leaves;
• seedling hardening - it is necessary that the plant adapts as quickly as possible before it is planted in the ground, it is best to harden it two weeks before transplanting. To do this, you need to keep the window open, and when the air temperature outside reaches 15 degrees, you can gradually put it on the balcony.

What to do if the seedlings of zinnia stretched out

Any seedling can stretch out, and zinnia is very prone to this, especially for the following reasons:

1. Lack of light - if there is a lack of it, then the seedlings immediately begin to stretch in search of any ray of light.
2. High temperature - you should always monitor the temperature, and after shoots begin to appear, it is worth lowering the temperature to an acceptable level.
3. Too early planting - it will not bring anything good, it is highly recommended not to violate the deadlines for planting a plant.

Picking seedlings of zinnia

It has already been noted earlier that these plants do not tolerate planting well, but there are times when you simply cannot do without it. If you initially sowed the seeds too densely, then they need to be thinned out by transplanting them into another box.

In this case, the timing of the picking is unchanged and is identical, like that of other crops, in the presence of 2 or 3 grown, ideally formed leaves.
The soil is allowed for use the same as for sowing, and the containers must be an individual volume of 250 ml.
Pick features:

• any plant needs moisture, so you must first water the plant;
• transfer to the hole to the place of your choice;
• deepen to cotyledon leaves;
• carefully sprinkle and lightly trample the hole;
• sprinkle with distilled water.

A couple of weeks after picking, it is necessary to comprehensively feed the seedlings with the help of mineral fertilizers.

Seedlings can be planted only when there will probably be no frost, otherwise the plants will not survive.

How to sow

The algorithm for sowing this crop is not complicated:

• To grow seedlings, you need a pot or a planting box about 10 cm high. A large depth is undesirable, since moisture in the soil will stagnate, and this can lead to fungal diseases.
• Suitable soil is best purchased at the store. You should take the soil for growing seedlings. A more affordable option is a mixture of black soil with quartz sand in a ratio of 2: 1, respectively.
• Zinnia seeds need pre-soaking. To do this, they must be placed on wet cotton wool or gauze during the day. Seeds sown after such preparation show a higher percentage of germination.
• Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 1 cm, because deep sowing slows down germination.
• The soil in the planting boxes is moistened, and then covered with cling film.
• The container is placed in a warm place with a temperature of 20-23 ° C. The first shoots appear after 3-4 days, and mass seedlings are noticeable after a week.
• Periodically, the soil needs to be moistened. It is best to do this with a spray bottle of warm water, because watering from a watering can can wash the zinnia seedlings out of the ground.
• After a couple of leaves appear on the seedlings, the film can be removed.

Sometimes zinnia is sown in peat tablets. This method of growing seedlings allows you to plant them in a permanent place right in the tablets, so the roots are not injured. But it should be remembered that peat dries out much faster than ordinary soil, so you need to water such sprouts more often.

Instead of peat tablets, disposable cups filled with a substrate are sometimes used, which are cut before transplanting and an earthen lump is taken out intact. The survival rate of zinnia with such growing methods is the highest.

Useful articles for the gardener:

Growing zinnia from seeds is a simple process even for beginners. This bright annual plant is most often planted by seedlings. Bright colors and a variety of varieties do not allow him to lose popularity among gardeners.

Description of zinnia

Zinnia is an annual and perennial herb or shrub of the Asteraceae family. Gardeners most often grow two types - narrow-leaved and graceful. In total, there are about 20 of them in nature. Annual zinnias are actively cultivated. Plant varieties have different heights, some dwarf varieties do not exceed 30 cm. A medium-sized bush is considered if its stem reaches 70 cm, and high if more than one meter.

Inflorescences-baskets are large, of various shapes, brightly colored. They are divided into the following types:

• scabiose flowers;
• cactus;
  
  
• chrysanthemum;
  
  
• Californian;
  
  
• dahlia flowers;
  
  
• pompoms.
  
  

The last three are especially popular with gardeners.

Advice! When choosing a variety, it should be borne in mind that terry specimens in cultivation are more capricious than semi-double or ordinary zinnias.

Pompom zinnia is also called midget, its stems do not grow above 0.5 m. The bush is compact and branched, it looks very decorative. Terry flowers, about 5 cm in diameter, densely cover the shoots. Often, several bushes of different varieties are grown together so that the flower bed does not lose its decorative effect until autumn. The flower dies at temperatures below -1 ° C, so when growing it, you need to monitor the weather. The color of the petals does not fade in the sun. The most famous varieties are Tom-Tumb, Rotkopchen.

Dahlia-shaped zinnia is distinguished by large double flowers and a high, about 1 m, stem. The color of the buds can be different - white, yellow, crimson, pink, purple. The size of the flowers reaches 15 cm. A popular variety of dahlia-shaped zinnias is the Polar Bear. It has white flowers and a height of 70 cm.

Also often grown on the plots is the Dream variety with pink flowers, and the Violet variety with purple buds. Both plants have a height of about 1 m and voluminous double flowers.

The California zinnia also has large flowers and a tall stem. The plant is strong, can easily exist without support. The diameter of the inflorescences is 10-15 cm, the color is bright. On sale you can find the California mix, when grown, you get a ready-made colorful flower bed.

Annual zinnia flowers are propagated by growing from seed. At the same time, varietal characteristics are preserved.

How to harvest zinnia seeds

To collect zinnia seeds, the most beautiful flower is chosen and, when it withers and ripens, it is cut off. The seeds are completely ready no earlier than 60 days later, so the material is chosen from the first grown in the flower bed. At the same time, they are also guided by the fact that the early flowers are the brightest and largest. That is, some selection work is being carried out - the best specimens are selected for reproduction.

If the seed basket is not dry enough, you can let it lie still. It should be brown in color. To extract the seeds, the petals are carefully removed and the seed is removed from the center of the basket. This is followed by sorting, additional drying and packing in paper bags. You can still sort, but this is relevant if you decide to propagate and use only one type of zinnia for cultivation.

What zinnia seeds look like can be seen in the photo:

Store the seeds in a dark cool place. The main thing is to ensure that mold does not form, and to avoid damage by fungi.

Planting zinnia for seedlings

The plant is afraid of the cold, so it is important to plant it when the weather is warm. In general, caring for a flower is not difficult. Growing zinnia from seeds at home is available to anyone.

Sowing dates for zinnia

To understand when to plant low-growing zinnia when growing from seeds, one must take into account that it will germinate very quickly, and seedlings will begin to actively develop. The optimal time is mid-April. The seedling period is 5-6 weeks.

Capacity selection

Usually seedling boxes are chosen for growing seeds. Their height should be about 10 cm. The boxes are filled with earth by ⅔, this is quite enough for successful seed germination.

Advice! It is convenient to plant zinnia immediately in separate pots, so you can avoid picking.

Soil preparation

Growing zinnia seeds can be done at home, as well as in a greenhouse. For all plants of the Aster family, the substrate is prepared in the same way. It is necessary to take in equal proportions peat, sand, soddy soil and humus. In special stores there are ready-made soil mixtures.

With self-preparation of the substrate for growing seedlings, all its components must be well steamed, or treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. Thus, diseases and pests that may be there are destroyed. It will be much easier to grow zinnia from seeds in prepared soil.

Selection and preparation of seeds

There are several types of seeds in one basket:

• flat shield-shaped;
• sharp spear-shaped;
• sharp with a tail in the form of an awl.

They are sorted each separately, because different plants will appear from different seeds of the same flower. From the corymbose, simple zinnias arise, without signs of doubleness, even if the parent culture possessed these characteristics. Seeds in the form of copies when grown form ordinary or semi-double specimens. But the styloid shape will lead to the formation of large double flowers. Such seeds can be found in the outer row of a dried basket. It is better for beginner flower growers to master ordinary non-terry varieties of zinnias for cultivation, it is easier to care for them.

Large seeds are easy to sort, and they are not subject to additional processing. This fact also contributes to the wide distribution of the flower among gardeners. However, if you soak the seeds in Epin, they will sprout faster and more amicably. For those who like to do everything as naturally as possible, this stage can be skipped, the germination of the plant is already good.

Seed sowing scheme

If further picking is expected during cultivation, then the seeds can be arranged quite densely. But sowing at a distance of 4 cm from each other will avoid this procedure. When the seedlings gain strength and pull themselves up, they are sprinkled with nutrient soil. The stems form adventitious roots during the growing process, and the plant will continue to develop normally.

Attention! Immediately after sowing, the containers are covered with foil and the boxes are removed in a dark and warm place. Seedlings will begin to appear in 3-4 days. During this period, the shelter is removed from the boxes.

Caring for zinnia seedlings

Caring for seedlings of zinnia when grown from seeds is not difficult. It includes standard procedures. And if at the landing stage you do it in such a way as to avoid picks, then care becomes even easier. Growing good seedlings of zinnia at home will allow such a measure as strict adherence to certain rules.

Seedling dive

If the seeds were initially sown densely, then over time they will lack nutrients. It will be necessary to provide them with a large area when growing. Young plants are carefully removed from the container in which they were located and placed in a larger container or in separate pots.

After transplanting, it is necessary to protect the crops from direct sunlight and provide them with watering. Seedlings during the growing period must be protected from drafts.

Seedling hardening

Before placing zinnia in a permanent place of cultivation in a flower garden, it must be hardened. It is worth spending at least a week on this procedure, it will be optimally 14-16 days. Hardening begins with the opening of the window for a short period. The flower will thus feel the fresh air.

Then, in good weather, the seedlings are taken out to the balcony or to the street. It is advisable to carry out hardening immediately in the country, it is easier to control the ambient temperature and the time spent outdoors. In addition, zinnia will be in conditions as close as possible to the conditions of its further existence.

Planting seedlings in open ground

The best time to move seed-grown zinnia outdoors is late May and early June. It is important that at this point there are no more frosts, otherwise the plant will simply die.

The place for planting is chosen based on the varietal characteristics of the plant:

• high California zinnias, as a rule, get a place in the background, often they hide unseemly parts of the garden;
• varieties with an average height can be placed anywhere, most often they are in the center of the flower bed, but can also be grown in flowerpots;
• undersized specimens are placed in the foreground of flower arrangements, used in borders, they are also good for balconies.

Since the petals of the flower do not fade, the plant is safely placed in sunny places. Growing in shading does not tolerate it well. In this case, open sunlight will be preferable. The bushes branch heavily, so the optimal distance for planting them will be 30-35 cm. So each plant will have enough nutrients, and it will be easier to care for it. There will be enough space for weeding and loosening.

When growing seedlings in peat pots, transplanting is greatly facilitated - the seedling is placed in the ground along with them. When extracting the roots from ordinary containers, one must be careful not to damage them. An uninjured plant will take root better and get stronger faster.

Further outdoor care for zinnia when grown from seeds is not difficult:

• Watering can be rare, but plentiful. It is necessary to ensure that the jet does not touch the peduncle, otherwise it may begin to rot. Faded and rain-damaged parts of the plant are removed in a timely manner.
• If there is a desire to make the bush lush and low, pinch it. Without this procedure, the stem will grow in height. Pinching is done when the plant has a sufficient number of leaves, remove the central stem above their third or fourth pair.
• Loosening the soil should be carried out regularly, especially after watering or rain. The main thing is to prevent the formation of a crust, it will make it difficult for oxygen to reach the roots.
• Top dressing is necessary only in case of deviations in growth or the presence of yellowing leaves. Use complex fertilizers, which also prevent the occurrence of fungus. The solution is prepared in accordance with the instructions and brought under the zinnia bushes. You can use the preparations Gumax, Rose, Ideal.

Conclusion

Growing zinnia from seeds for seedlings allows you to get strong and healthy plants for subsequent placement in the flower bed. Having picked up several varieties with different flowering periods, you can enjoy their view for a long time. Another argument in favor of zinnia is its ease of care. Planting zinnia for seedlings is shown in the video:

Zinnia (lat. Zinnia) belongs to the genus of herbaceous and shrubby perennials of the Asteraceae family, originally from southern Mexico, which got its name in honor of the pharmacologist and botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn from Göttingen, who, as director of the botanical garden, supplied Carl Linnaeus with herbarium material for research. The Aztecs have been cultivating zinnia since 1500, and it appeared in Europe in the 18th century, immediately becoming a favorite decoration of gardens and aristocratic receptions. By the twentieth century, zinnia was already cultivated on all continents, and from 1931 to 1957, the zinnia flower was even a symbol of the state of Indiana, USA. Today, about twenty species are known, many varieties and hybrids of this beautiful flower, which is distinguished by its beauty and undemanding to growing conditions.

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Planting and caring for zinnia

• Landing: sowing seeds for seedlings - in late March or early April, transplanting seedlings into the ground - from mid to late May.
• Bloom: from mid-June to frost.
• Lighting: bright sunlight.
• The soil: light, nourishing, well-drained, neutral.
• Watering: infrequent, but plentiful, under the root.
• Top dressing: for the seedling period - three times with mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content, after transplanting into the ground - at least twice: a month after planting and during the budding period.
• Reproduction: seed.
• Pests: May beetles and cockchafers, aphids, slugs and snails.
• Diseases: powdery mildew, fusarium, bacterial spot, gray rot.

Read more about growing zinnia below.

Zinnia flowers - description

Depending on the type and variety, the height of zinnia can be from 20 to 100 cm and above. Zinnia leaves, entire, sessile, ovate, pointed to the top, pubescent with stiff hairs, whorled or opposite. Inflorescences are apical single baskets with a diameter of three to fourteen centimeters, located on long peduncles. Reed flowers of zinnia, tiled in one or more rows, white, purple, orange, yellow, red - all possible colors except shades of blue; middle, tubular flowers - small, yellow or red-brown. The fruit is an achene with a tuft. Zinnia blooms from mid-June until frost, being resistant to heat and drought.

The zinnia plant is cultivated as a bright and unpretentious garden plant, which is excellent for cutting. Perennial zinnia grows only in regions with warm winters. In our climate, zinnia in the garden is an exclusively annual plant, because it is not able to survive even short and slight frosts. Summer residents call this flower major. Annual zinnias and marigolds, daisies and marigolds are staples for the rustic landscaping that is increasingly in vogue in Europe. Zinnia is also appropriate in a flower bed with so-called noble flowers, it is also grown in a garden among vegetables, using its remarkable ability to stretch upwards, almost without creating a shadow.

Growing zinnia from seeds

Sowing zinnia

The perennial zinnia, like the annual, reproduces generatively. In places with a warm climate, where there are no frosts in May, planting zinnia directly into the ground is possible, but if night frosts are a common occurrence in your area, know that zinnia seeds sown in the ground will die already at a temperature of -1 ºC. That is why experienced flower growers believe that this the plant is better to grow and harden off as seedlings, and then planting zinnia in the ground with subsequent rooting will be successful.

Before sowing, wrap the zinnia seeds in a cloth or gauze soaked in epin to identify which ones are viable and which are not. Fresh seeds hatch in a couple of days, and old seeds will take a week to sprout.

At the end of March or the beginning of April, germinating seeds of two or three pieces are spaciously sown to a depth of one centimeter in peat pots with a wet substrate, which will subsequently avoid picking, which this culture does not like. Sowing is moistened and placed in a bright place. The optimum temperature for zinnia germination is 22-24 ºC. If you do everything right, sprouts will appear in a few days.

In the photo: How zinnia blooms

zinnia seedling

Young plants quickly form adventitious roots, and if the zinnia seedlings are stretched out, just add some soil to the pots. My zinnias didn’t stretch out very well, but a friend complained that she put the crops in partial shade, and the seedlings turned into painful translucent sprouts, so remember that zinnia seedlings require bright diffused light. With a sparse sowing of seeds, you do not have to dive seedlings, especially since zinnia does not tolerate picking. At the end of May, in order for the planting of zinnia to be successful, the seedlings begin to harden, taking it out for a while in the fresh air during the day.

Planting zinnia in open ground

When to plant zinnias in the ground

When to plant zinnias outdoors, rather, when can zinnia seedlings be planted? Planting zinnia in the ground is carried out in the second half of May, towards the end of the month, when the danger of return frosts has passed. The plant prefers light areas, protected from the wind, with neutral, well-drained nutrient soil. Before planting zinnia, the intended area is cleared of weeds by digging the soil to a depth of 45 centimeters and adding leafy humus, compost or rotted manure to it when digging at the rate of 8-10 kg per m², and it is best to do this in the fall.

How to plant zinnias

Zinnia flowers are planted at a distance of 30-35 cm of one specimen from another by transshipment or together with a peat pot. You will see the flowering of zinnia in early July.

Zinnia Care

How to grow zinnia

If the planting of zinnia was successful, you can talk about caring for it, which consists in regularly loosening the soil, weeding weeds and infrequent but plentiful watering under the root so that water does not fall on the flowers. When zinnia begins to bloom, remove wilted flowers in time. Powerful stalks of zinnia do not need tying and props.

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A lover of light and warmth, zinnia holds its flower hats high and proudly, decorating flower beds and flower beds in city parks, squares and, of course, in garden plots. This unpretentious flower will be discussed in this article.

Types and varieties of zinnia

With over 200 years of growing and breeding, zinnia has evolved into a flower that can revive and brighten even the most gloomy and neglected corner of the garden.

Most often, two types of flower are used in culture: narrow-leaved zinnia and graceful zinnia, although there are more than 20 of them.

Like other plants, zinnia has a huge number of varieties, among which there are low, up to 30 cm - dwarf. The stem of a medium-sized plant can reach 70 cm. Those flowers whose height has crossed the meter mark are tall individuals.

Each variety carries another variety of colors of flower baskets. Their palette is rich and pleasing to the eye with red and orange, pink and crimson, white and yellow colors. Zinnia inflorescences, in turn, are divided into varieties according to shape and structure. There are scabiose-colored, chrysanthemum-shaped, cactus, Californian.

But Russian gardeners especially liked dahlia and pompoms.

Or midgets, do not exceed 55 cm in height and are liked by gardeners for the compactness of the bush and its branching. Terry caps of flowers, 3-5 cm in size, abundantly cover the multiple shoots of the plant. And if several different varieties of pompon zinnias are planted in the flower garden, then the garden plot will play with a rainbow of colors until autumn.

Zinnia is very sensitive to cold, temperatures as low as -1°C will kill the plant. But you can prolong the feeling of summer if you transplant the flower into a pot before frost and bring it into the house. On rainy autumn days, she will remind the summer resident of the sun and warmth.

The most popular varieties of midget zinnias can be called "Tom-Tumb" and "Rotkopchen". Low, up to 45 cm, the bushes are strewn with numerous hats of bright red flowers. Even the hottest rays of the sun will not affect the intensity of color, and the plant will bring pleasure until late autumn.

Its varieties have large flowers. A strong plant, often exceeding a height of 1 m, with double inflorescences up to 15 cm, will look advantageous in a group and create a unique composition in any corner of the garden. The main thing is that it is sunny and protected from the wind. And the variety of colors of the baskets - white, yellow, pink, raspberry, lilac, purple - will allow the summer resident to use his imagination to create unique flower beds.

Variety of zinnia polar bear”, with white terry baskets and a height of 60-70 cm, deserves to take center stage in any flower bed.

« Dream"- plants up to 1 m high, with pale pink flowers look good both in monochromatic plantings and in combination with the Violet variety. The flower has the same height as the previous variety, but has bright purple inflorescences. Lush, double flowers look perfect in bouquets.

california

The variety type of California zinnia is distinguished by large flowers. The size of the inflorescence can be 12-14 cm, it completes a strong and high, up to 1m, stem. It is due to its strength that the plant does not require support.

This group of flowers, like the rest of the zinnias, is rich in bright colors. On sale there is a variety "California Mix", where the seeds are selected in such a way that the plants grown from them will create a unique and charming flower garden.

When to plant zinnias for seedlings in 2017

As noted above, zinnia does not tolerate even a hint of sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, the main condition for sowing the seeds of this flower for seedlings is that when planting the plant, stable warm weather should be established.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that the seed of the flower germinates quickly, and sprouts also develop rapidly. The seedling period of zinnia is 4-6 weeks. It follows that the best time for sowing will be mid-April.

For flower crops, there is also a lunar calendar that will recommend the best days for this work.

The best days for sowing, picking, transplanting seeds of annual flowers in 2017

March - 3; 4; 10; 12; 20; 27; 28

April - 4; 5; 9; 18; 21-23; 26-28

May - 1-4; 15; 24; 25; 28-31

June - 1; 2; eleven; 16

By checking your estimated sowing date with the grower's lunar calendar, you can find the best option, and be sure of the successful cultivation and abundant flowering of your pets.

preparatory activities. Working with the seed of this flower is a pleasure for the gardener. The seeds are quite large and their sorting does not require any effort. Do not subject them to additional processing. The only thing that is recommended to do to achieve the best result is to soak the seeds in the Epin solution.

This will activate their vitality and provide more friendly shoots.

If sowing will be done in seedlings, then their depth should not be less than 8-10 cm. You should not immediately fill them with soil to the full height. A little more than half a box will be enough for sowing.

By placing the seeds at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other, it will be possible to skip the dive stage. Just then, when the seedlings grow up and get stronger, you will need to add nutrient soil. The stems will develop adventitious roots and the plant will continue to develop without the stress of transplanting.

The soil for crops is prepared nutritious and loose, with good drainage properties. After sowing, the boxes are covered with polyethylene and left warm for germination. At 20-25°C, sprouts will appear in 5-7 days. Further, the seedlings need light and regular watering, without swamping the soil.

In the case of sowing seeds densely, they will need to be transplanted with a larger feeding area. To do this, the seedlings are carefully removed from the seedling box and placed either in separate cups or in another container, but larger. At this time, you should think about the appointment of flowers: cutting, decorating a summer cottage or the plant will be seed.

If flowers are grown for landscape design of the site, then for greater bushiness, high varieties of zinnias are pinched over the 5th leaf. This will stimulate the plant to form new shoots from the leaf axils. Accordingly, the number of flowers will increase, since each shoot ends with a bud.

While the seedlings are at home, care should also be taken to prepare the site for planting zinnias.

At the very end of May or in early June, seedlings can be moved to a flower garden in the country. But this should be preceded by hardening of plants for a period of at least a week.

First, an open window will allow the plant to feel the fresh air, then a short period of time on the balcony or on the street, but in good weather. It is good if it is possible to carry out hardening directly in the country, where it is more possible to place a box with seedlings in a suitable place.

When it is decided to transplant zinnia bushes to a permanent place, it is important not to forget about the height of the plant and plant it in accordance with this.

1. California zinnias are best placed in the background in large or small groups so that they do not obstruct lower garden plants. Thanks to their height, you can hide unsightly areas of the cottage (compost heaps, stacks of boards, etc.).
2. Flowers of medium height are always considered universal, they take center stage in any flower bed. In addition, they are used for growing in containers and flowerpots.
3. Dwarf zinnias can be used in the same way. They are also suitable for decorating borders, planting in the foreground of a flower garden. And undersized zinnias are ideal for decorating balconies and loggias.

The place for zinnia should be sunny, even the sun will endure the flower better than shading. Given the strong branching of the plant, they should be planted at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other. This will provide room for flower development and ease of weeding and loosening the soil around the plantings.

When to plant zinnia seeds outdoors

If for some reason seedlings were not grown, this does not mean that the gardener can be left without this wonderful flower. Sowing can be done directly in open ground.

It will take 7-10 days for the seeds to germinate in natural conditions (depending on weather conditions), and the creation of a mini-greenhouse for the beds will reduce the time from sowing to emergence. The end of the first decade of May is quite suitable for this work.

Sowing seeds directly on the site has its advantages. The plant initially feels the temperature of the surrounding air, this saves the gardener from such an event as hardening home seedlings.

Although flowering will come 2-3 weeks later. But if this is not important, then this method will unload the windowsill, on which seedlings of peppers and tomatoes are already rampant in April.

The grown zinnia bushes are transplanted to the place allotted to them, observing the planting interval.

Caring for plants will not give the gardener a lot of worries. It consists in weeding, loosening the soil, watering and pinching the main point of growth. However, if the flower is grown for cutting, this should not be done.

Flowers stand in bouquets for a long time, about two weeks. It is only necessary to properly process the stem. Flowers that are supposed to decorate the house should not be fully disclosed. Half-blown zinnias are cut off and, before being placed in a vase, the stem is shortened again, but already lowered into warm water.

The plant is unpretentious, tolerates air drought and heat well. However, prolonged lack of water leads to crushing of inflorescences and loss of leaf turgor. Therefore, the flower should not be left completely unattended.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to see flowering plants on your site from mid-June until the onset of frost. The life of one flower lasts about a month, and if they are removed after withering, then in general the zinnia bush will bloom continuously.

But not always the period of growing zinnias on the site is cloudless. It happens that this strong and beautiful plant is invaded by pests, and improper care or weather conditions cause flower diseases.

Diseases and pests of zinnia

Despite its tolerance for dry soil, it can lead to flower diseases such as powdery mildew. The appearance of grayish spots on the leaves and petals of inflorescences indicate a problem. Industrial preparations Vectra, Topaz or Skor will help to solve it.

Damp summer or excessive watering is the cause of gray rot damage to zinnias. The disease looks like a fluffy mold that appears not only on the leaves, but can also affect the stem. And if measures are not taken in time, the flower may die.

Good helpers in the fight for the health of flowers will be fungicides: Maxim, Fundazol or colloidal sulfur.

At the beginning of summer, there is an activity of such an insect as aphids. It feeds on the juice of young shoots, causing significant damage to the plant.

To destroy it, you can use the drug Aktara. Detailed instructions for use are indicated on the package with the drug. Well helps from sucking insects biopreparation Fitoverm.

Slugs and snails leave unpleasant marks on zinnia leaves. Gnawed leaves spoil the decorative appearance of the flower and slow down its development.

These pests require manual extermination. To facilitate this, frankly, not a very pleasant event, pieces of roofing material or linoleum are laid out in the aisles. Insects like to hide there.

Periodically checking shelters can significantly reduce the number of zinnia pests. If there are no poultry and animals on the site, it is possible to use chemicals in granules. This is Thunderstorm and Meta.

If these troubles bypassed the strongest and most beautiful plants, then you should think about harvesting your own seed for sowing in the following seasons.

There is no doubt that some varieties of zinnias grown on the site gave the gardener real pleasure with their flowering, so you can easily collect seeds from plants you like in your flower bed. Just during the opening of the buds, it is necessary to note the brightest and largest inflorescences, fixing a ribbon of the corresponding color on the stem.

In addition, the number of buds on it is sharply limited. Leaving five inflorescences on the plant, the rest are removed and continue to cut off the newly appearing ones until the seed box is cut. This will direct all the forces of the flower to the formation of seeds and their ripening.

After the inflorescence withers, it is necessary to wait for the seed box to ripen. In total, from the moment the bud opens to the collection of ready-made seeds, it takes about two months. But if the weather does not indulge, then ripening can occur indoors. To do this, they are cut off and left in a place where it is dry and warm.

Having gutted the dried seed head of the flower, you can begin to select the right amount of seeds. It should be remembered that the best of them are located closer to the core and have a trihedral or subulate shape.

Dry seeds are laid out in paper bags and must be marked: the name of the flower, the height of the plant, its color and the year the seeds were collected.

Don't rely entirely on memory. After three years, and that is how much zinnia seeds remain viable, the summer resident will not even remember which seeds are stored in his reserves without an inscription on the package.

Zinnia: cultivation and care - video

Be sure to grow zinnias on the site, they delight with beauty and bright colors for a long time!

Growing zinnia from seeds is a simple procedure, which is why this flower is so common among gardeners. Among the huge variety of varieties, you can choose any to your liking. In order to ensure the maximum duration of flowering, cultivation through seedlings is recommended.

General information

Zinnia is a flower of the Asteraceae family, which does not lose its decorative effect for a long time, and is well cut. Its second popular name is Major. The birthplace of the flower is South America, and it has been introduced to Europe since 1976. The merit belongs to professor in medicine Johann Gottlieb Zinn. Thus the flower got its name. In temperate climates, it is an annual plant that is propagated by seeds, and in its homeland it is a perennial plant. With proper planting planning, zinnias can decorate the site from early summer to late autumn. Dwarf varieties for the winter can be taken into the house for growing in a pot, and when warm weather sets in, they can be planted again in the ground.

Attention! Zinnia flowers are odorless when grown.

The bush is from 20 cm to 1 m high, depending on the type and variety. Leaf blades are sessile, ovoid, slightly pointed at the ends. On the stem they are located opposite or whorled, have a hard pubescence. Inflorescences when grown are baskets on long shoots. The petals are tiled, their density depends on the variety and species. The fruit is an achene with a tuft.

The plant when grown is very fond of heat and does not tolerate cold. Even small frosts can kill it. The place where zinnia is grown should be sunny and protected from strong winds. The flower prefers fertile soils rich in humus, well permeable to oxygen and water. The plant reacts poorly to both excess water and lack. In drought, the buds shrink, and the ends of the petals dry up.

Advice! Experienced flower growers advise when growing zinnias in the seedling stage above the fifth leaf, thus making the bush thicker.

To achieve long-term flowering of zinnia, already faded shoots must be removed in a timely manner. The plant needs fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers. Usually enough twice a season.

Choosing a variety for planting

The most popular when grown by gardeners are two types - narrow-leaved and graceful. There are about 20 of them in total. These two species are represented by a huge number of varieties, the seeds of which are sold in specialized stores. All of them are grouped according to the size of an adult plant:

• dwarf - up to 30 cm;
• medium height - up to 70 cm;
• high - from 1 m.

Zinnias are also united by the appearance of flowers:

• dahlia;
• pompoms;
• fantasy;
• chrysanthemum;
• scabiose flowers;
• gayardiotsvetnye.

Each variety is distinguished by its color, basket structure and stem height, which makes it possible to actively use zinnias in landscape design. The most common when grown among flower growers:

1. Pompom zinnias - plant height is about 55 cm, the bush is compact, but branched. The flowers are double, 5 cm in size, densely arranged on branches. By planting varieties of different flowering periods, the flower bed will have a neat appearance until autumn. The most popular varieties of zinnias in this group are Tom-Tumb and Rotkopchen with rich red flowers that do not fade in the sun.
2. Dahlia zinnias- plants reaching 1 m in height with large double flowers. Their diameter is about 15 cm. Common varieties in this group are the white Polar Bear, pink Dream and purple Violet.
3. California zinnias- stem up to 1 m high with large flowers up to 14 cm in diameter. In stores, you can find California mix seeds, which are specially selected for decorating flower beds.

How to collect seeds

In order to collect seeds from zinnias for cultivation, you must wait until they are fully ripe, that is, when the boxes turn brown. They should be carefully cut and opened over a sheet of paper. In the same place, the seed can be stored until spring. Growing zinnia from seeds at home is quite popular among flower growers.

How to grow zinnia from seeds

Zinnia can be grown from seeds at home. Subject to a number of simple rules, the bushes will be strong and healthy. The process itself is not difficult even for beginner flower growers. Seeds when grown have good germination.

When to sow zinnia for seedlings

It is important to observe the timing of sowing zinnia for seedlings - the second half of April will be optimal. It is not worth planting seeds earlier, because the flower will grow quickly enough, which will make it difficult to move it into open ground. Also, early sown seedlings are likely to stretch and weaken.

Is seed preparation necessary?

Preparing seeds for growing zinnia flowers from them is quite simple. They are large, and there will be no difficulties in sorting. Additional processing during cultivation is not required. If desired, you can use Epin's solution - soak the seeds wrapped in cloth in it. Fresh ones will sprout in two days, older ones in about a week.

Soil preparation and containers

The depth of the boxes for planting zinnia seeds should be at least 10 cm. When grown, they are filled with soil a little more than half. The soil for seedlings should be loose and nutritious, in addition, it is necessary to provide good drainage. Use a mixture of sand and peat with garden soil.

Sowing seeds

When grown, zinnia seedlings develop quickly, and the bushes turn out to be quite large, so it is necessary to keep a distance of 3 cm between them when planting. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm. Then the soil is well moistened and glass is placed on top. Seeds remain under cover until germination. Since the germination of the flower during cultivation is good, a more rare planting or the use of separate containers is allowed. Thus, it makes sense to plant seeds so as not to resort to picking later.

How to grow zinnia seedlings at home

Zinnia shoots from seeds will appear 4 days after planting. We must immediately remove the film from them. Watering should be moderate to avoid excessive moisture. When the seedlings grow to 10 cm, it's time to swoop down. When growing, seedlings are carefully moved into separate pots, deepening to the cotyledons. The stem, covered with earth, is overgrown with additional roots. If the flower was originally planted in separate containers, then it is simply spudded. Suitable for zinnia is a temperature within +22 ° C. You can grow a flower in peat tablets, this will greatly simplify care, allowing you to avoid picks. Loosening the soil and removing weeds if they appear in pots are mandatory procedures.

Advice! For better branching of the root system, when growing, pinch the main one by about 1 cm.

Two weeks before planting in open ground, seedlings should be hardened off. Zinnia is taken out to the balcony in fine weather. Thanks to this procedure, the plants will get stronger, but it is important to prevent drafts. From sowing to transplanting to a flower bed should take about 2 months.

With improper care during cultivation, plants can be affected by various diseases, and in most cases it is seedlings that are affected:

1. Blackleg is the most well-known disease that occurs with excessive moisture, low temperatures, too dense planting, lack of lighting, or nutrient-poor soil. An infected plant can no longer be saved, it must be removed and the spread of the disease to other flowers must be prevented. A lump of earth is also removed, and the rest of the soil is shed with potassium permanganate once a week.
2. Root rot - caused by many fungi and bacteria with violations in care. Excess fertilizer can also cause disease. The main root and neck turn brown, thinner, the foliage becomes paler, and as a result, the zinnia dies. If there are signs of illness, then the flower should be removed. Chalk, sand and humus are added to the rest of the seedlings. Watered with a solution of fungicides.
3. Fusarium wilt- transmission occurs through seeds and persists in the ground and on the remains of diseased plants. First, the root is affected, then the whole flower droops and dries. Further, the stems rot and a pink coating appears - spores of the fungus. Sick plants are removed, healthy plantings are treated with a fungicide.
4. Gray rot - leaves and stems are covered with pale brownish spots. If the humidity is high, then the inclusions of a putrid appearance. A gray coating appears on top with spores of the fungus. Plants are treated with potassium permanganate or fungicides containing copper.
5. Powdery mildew is a disease dangerous for seedlings. The foliage is covered with powdery coating, which then becomes denser. Greens are deformed, dry and fall off. A solution of foundationazole or a copper-soap composition will help. Treat for a week.

Pests can also attack zinnia, especially if the seedlings are in a country house, and they can spread from the garden to young flowers:

1. Mining fly larvae- gnaw leaves, leaving passages there in the form of white lines. Affected parts are cut off and destroyed.
2. Scoop caterpillars - eat the roots of seedlings, causing noticeable harm to zinnias. To get rid of insects, it is worth digging up the soil and removing the caterpillars by hand.
3. Aphid - attacks at the beginning of summer, just during the cultivation of seedlings. Insects, attacking in huge colonies, suck the juices from plants. Aphids are washed off with water, and then it is recommended to use a folk remedy - garlic with soap and oil. It is also possible to use insecticides.

Conclusion

Growing zinnia from seeds is the most reliable way to propagate a flower for summer cottages. A heat-loving plant in the climate of the middle zone is known as an annual, sown for seedlings. Gardeners love this flower for its variety of colors and decorative foliage.

Planting zinnia is presented in the video:

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