The beautiful zinnia plant not only brightens up a flowerbed but also lifts spirits with its charming appearance from early summer to late fall. Indeed, such a beauty can be found in almost every home. This flower has gained popularity not only among gardeners but also among many summer residents who prefer to decorate their plots with beautiful blooms.
It's certainly worth noting that before planting this flower, it's important to understand certain nuances and subtleties. After all, achieving a satisfying result always requires some effort and dedication. Zinnias aren't considered fussy, but they do prefer plenty of light and fertile soil.
The plant doesn't like cold weather, so careful consideration should be given to planting time and location. The soil should be neutral, although many gardeners note that this flower thrives in acidic soil. Fertile soil will ensure the plant blooms for a long time.
Soil preparation
To improve soil fertility, you can fertilize it. Stores are now overflowing with various complex fertilizers. Ash or well-known manure can also be used. Experienced gardeners, who regularly adorn their plots with this charming flower, recommend adding humus when digging and mixing it thoroughly. This makes the soil suitable for planting this plant.
Dig to the depth of a spade to allow the roots to grow easily, as they provide the plant with nutrition. This will also make it easier to loosen the soil later, and the root system will receive the oxygen it needs.
Growing seeds
Many gardeners prefer to grow zinnias from seedlings. Seeds can be sown in April, which is considered the ideal time for this plant. It's best to choose large seeds, as experienced gardeners note that they germinate faster, meaning you can see small sprouts emerging within a week.
Zinnias can be sown in any deep container, such as plastic or wooden boxes. Add fertile soil and disinfect it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the plant from potential diseases. Then, thoroughly moisten the soil and plant the seeds.
Some experienced gardeners scatter the seeds on the soil surface when sowing, then use a match to push each one deeper into the soil. This method makes it easy to plant the seeds without having to pick them out. However, many gardeners prefer to sow the seeds individually in peat pots and then plant them directly in the soil.
This is done to avoid damaging the plants' root systems. Peat pots decompose in the soil, and the roots extend further into the soil. These plants thrive better and are less susceptible to disease, plus the peat pots provide additional nutritional benefits.
After the seeds have sprouted, it's important to maintain soil moisture. The surface shouldn't dry out or crack. As early as June, many people begin planting seedlings outdoors. However, since temperatures vary by region, it's important to avoid frost, otherwise the plants may die.
Some gardeners prefer to sow seeds directly into open ground; this can be done as early as late May. The cold weather is receding, and the plants feel more comfortable at this time. However, it's best to cover the seeds with a covering material after sowing, as nights are still cold, and to speed up germination, they need comfortable conditions. Covering the seeds will facilitate this and create a greenhouse effect. This will result in the earliest germination.
Care
Undoubtedly, like any other plant, zinnias don't like weeds, especially since they drain essential moisture and hinder root growth. Therefore, weeds should be removed. The soil around the plant should be loosened to ensure adequate oxygen supply. While the plant shouldn't be overwatered, it also doesn't tolerate drought. Therefore, it's essential to keep the soil moist.
Like many other plants, zinnias require fertilization. This first feeding is essential, and should be done before buds form. For this purpose, some use organic fertilizers, which are sold in specialty stores. Many use manure or chicken manure, which should be prepared in advance. If using bird droppings, it's best to use already rotted ones, as fresh ones can burn the plant's root system, which will inevitably kill it.
During bud formation, the plant should also be fed, as this will have a beneficial effect on flowering. Experienced flower growers often use Agricola for this purpose, which provides the necessary nutrients for this plant.
Before fertilizing, remove all weeds, loosen the soil, and lightly mix the soil around the plant stems with ash. Once the buds begin to open, they can be treated with "Buton," which is available in specialty stores. Use it as directed in the included instructions.
Plant diseases
Zinnias, like many other plants, are often susceptible to various diseases. Stem and root rot are quite common, as are powdery mildew and a host of other diseases that can destroy this charming plant. Aphids and pesky slugs are also a concern.
If you notice rot on your plant, immediately treat it with "Hom"—it's easy to combat these types of ailments. Dilute the solution strictly according to the included instructions, otherwise you could ruin your beloved plant. Powdery mildew will disappear if you treat the plant promptly with "Topaz," which is also diluted according to the included instructions. Aphids will escape treatment with "Iskra."
Some gardeners, based on their experience, recommend using natural pest control methods. For example, aphids dislike wood ash, and if you add this fertilizer to your plant several times a season, it's unlikely they'll appear. To prevent slugs from breeding, many people use eggshells: they dry them, break them into small pieces, and mix them into the soil when loosening the soil around the plants. Slugs will immediately leave if they discover this addition to the soil.
Many people know that before growing any crop, it takes at least a little effort. Even if the plant is easy and undemanding, it still requires some care. And considering that growing their favorite plants brings many pleasure, it's worth putting in the effort to enjoy the results in the future. Therefore, it's essential to do everything correctly and efficiently, and then your desired goal will not be long in coming.
An equally beautiful flower ranuculus, which should also decorate your flower bed.
Zinnia elegans, growing from seeds