Zinnia - how to grow from seeds, when to plant

The perennial zinnia has become a regular fixture not only in gardens but also in city alleys and parks. It's popular with gardeners for its vibrant appearance and easy growing conditions. Let's look at how to grow zinnias from seed and when to start planting seedlings in different regions of Russia.

Sowing

The plant propagates by seed; in areas with stable, warm climates, the flowers can be planted directly outdoors. The slightest frost will kill the seedlings, so in areas where spring temperatures can drop below freezing, it's best to start with seedlings. If the process is carried out correctly and properly hardened off, they will quickly establish themselves after transplanting outdoors.

The flower seeds are quite large, making them easy to handle and requiring no additional treatment. To separate good seeds from bad ones, wrap them in cheesecloth soaked in a solution of Epin. Last year's seeds will germinate within two days, while expired ones may take a week.

Zinnias are best grown from seeds in individual peat pots, as they don't tolerate transplanting well. These plants grow large seedlings, so when planting, plant them 1 cm deep. There's no need to cover the pots with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. If done correctly, you'll see the first shoots in just a week, as shown in the photo. Zinnias don't like standing water in the soil, so ensure proper drainage and add some sand to the soil.

You may be interested in:

When to plant marigolds when growing from seed
Many people know what marigold flowers look like. They are vibrant orange buds with a pleasant scent. Marigolds can be…Read more…

How to use the lunar calendar

Before you begin growing zinnias from seeds, you need to determine when to plant the seedlings. To calculate the exact date, consider several factors:

1. The seed germinates in approximately 4-6 days, depending on the quality of the seeds.
2. To obtain full-fledged seedlings, they must grow indoors for at least 2 months.
3. It's important to determine the date when frosts can be avoided and the seedlings can be safely planted outdoors. These dates vary by region.

In the southern regions of the country, zinnias are planted directly in open ground, but in the northern regions, spring arrives late, so to enjoy the plant longer, seedlings are used. The date for planting seedlings is determined based on the factors discussed above.

For example, if warm weather sets in in the Moscow region after May 20th, then growing flowers from seeds can begin in early March. Choose the appropriate auspicious day according to the lunar calendar and proceed. planting seeds for seedlings.

The following days will be suitable this year:

• March – 10, 12, 15, 20;
• April – 7, 11, 18;
• May – 9, 10, 15, 17.

May is the best time to plant zinnias outdoors, and March and April are the best time to sow seeds for seedlings. The influence of the moon on plant growth has long been proven, so to grow healthy and beautiful flowers, it's important to know what work can be done during different phases of the moon:

1. New moon - on this day and for three days after it, it is better not to carry out any procedures with plants at all.
2. The waxing moon is the most favorable period for planting seedlings, as metabolism and sap flow increase. This is the best time to plant plants whose above-ground parts play a crucial role, such as flowers.
3. The full moon is a bad time for planting, but you can care for the plants, hill them up, and feed them.
4. Waning Moon – during this period, the underground part of plants develops well, therefore, it is a good time for planting, for example, potatoes.

In order to obtain healthy and beautiful flowers, all work must be carried out in accordance with the lunar calendar.

The lunar calendar also indicates the zodiac signs in which the Moon is located; they are distinguished by their fertility, so when determining the planting day, one must also rely on them.

Determining the date for the northern regions

Due to Siberia's harsh climate, zinnias are grown from seed using seedlings. When determining the date for planting seedlings, it's important to rely on weather forecasts. This year, warm weather is expected in mid-May. Considering that fully developed seedlings can only be obtained in two months, and the seeds will germinate in five days, this gives us an approximate planting date.

Let's look at a specific date for planting flowers in open ground. For example, if it's June 10th, then zinnias should be grown from seeds in early April. Let's turn to lunar calendar, where we see that the favorable day for planting will be April 7.

Naturally, the flowering period is shorter in northern regions, so to collect seeds, you need to cut off the wilted bud and wait for it to dry completely and ripen at home. Spring will be similarly late in the Urals, so growing zinnias from seeds should also begin in early April. If the time for planting seedlings has already passed, you can plant them later, using growth accelerators.

Caring for seedlings

Avoid growing zinnias on windowsills that are too sunny; they prefer filtered light. Young seedlings can become very leggy, so you'll need to add soil to the pots, or cover the roots. Water as the soil dries out, and begin hardening off the seedlings 10 days before planting them outdoors.

It's best to do this gradually, opening the window first. Then you can take the pots out onto the balcony for a couple of hours, then leave them overnight, and if possible, take them outside.

Transferring seedlings outside

After growing zinnia seedlings from seeds, transplant them into open ground. For more details on when and how to plant flowers, watch the video. The plant prefers a bright, wind-free location, with neutral soil. Before planting, dig the soil to a depth of 50 centimeters, clearing it of weeds first. When digging, add compost and leaf mold.

You can add mineral fertilizers, based on 1 square meter of land:

• superphosphate – 1 tbsp;
• potassium sulfate – 1 tbsp;
• nitrophoska – 1 tbsp.

Leave 30-35 cm between flowers, carefully compacting the soil around the roots. If the seedlings were grown in peat pots, plant them directly into the soil; this will also provide additional fertilizer.

You may be interested in:

Timing for planting seedlings at home: lunar calendar for 2016
If you want to get a delicious harvest this summer, then it's time to think about when and under what conditions you need to...Read more…

How to care for it outdoors

This is a fairly simple process: water the flowers as needed, taking care not to let the stream of water hit the buds and stems. Excess water can cause root rot, but zinnias tolerate drought well. Periodic loosening of the soil around the plant is also necessary to ensure adequate air circulation to the roots.

If the planting date for the seedlings was determined correctly and the zinnias were grown from seed according to all the rules, you'll see lush blooms as early as early July, as pictured. Fertilizing the flowers twice a summer is sufficient: one month after planting and the second time when buds appear.

You may be interested in:

Nemophila: growing from seeds and when to plant
Nemophila is a vibrant, unusual flower that's sure to delight you this summer. It carpets your chosen…Read more…

If you want a full-bodied zinnia bush, pinch it off above the third leaf when it's still a seedling. This can also be done outdoors once the plants are well-established. If you want long-stemmed flowers, you don't need to do anything.

Diseases and pests

Zinnias are most plagued by cockchafers, slugs, aphids, and snails. These can be controlled by setting traps. To rid the plant of snails and slugs, place bowls of beer on the ground or lay out pieces of slate to provide shelter for the larvae.

May beetles will need to be collected manually; spraying with the following solutions will help against aphids:

• 10 grams of tar soap per 10 liters of water;
• Fufanon;
• Actellic.

Flower diseases most often arise from improper care, such as overcrowding or overwatering. Zinnias are susceptible to the following diseases:

1. Alternaria leaf spot – the leaves are covered with brown spots, with spores visible in the center. Affected plants should be destroyed, watering reduced, and treated with Baymat or Rovral.
2. White rot – flowers begin to wilt, brown spots appear on the leaves, containing white, felt-like mycelium. Affected plants should be cut down and burned, and the remaining ones should be sprayed with Rovral.
3. Powdery mildew – this disease causes a white coating to appear on the leaves, and even flowers can be affected. If you remove the coating, you'll see that the plant tissue is brown. If the infestation is mild, treatment with biological fungicides will help. For severe infestations, consider using products such as Thiovit, Strobi, or Topaz.
4. Root rot – leaves begin to turn yellow at the edges, roots turn brown, and whitish rootlets can be seen on some. The disease can occur in overly acidic soil and requires fertilization. Spraying with Fitolavin, Baktofit, and Gamair will help.
5. Bacterial spot – leaves become covered with gray-brown round spots; this disease is incurable. It's best to uproot and burn the plant to prevent it from infecting nearby flowers.

If you follow all the recommendations and take care of your plants, you can avoid the occurrence of diseases.

You can learn more about growing zinnias from seeds, as well as how and when to plant seeds for seedlings, by watching the video.