When is the best time to plant zinnias outdoors? How to plant zinnias in open ground? Zinnias: when to plant seedlings, planting dates, sowing rules

Zinnia fell in love with many for the richest range of shades and giant size colors! I am also attracted by the ease of growing it from seeds. Zinnia has another amazing feature, dear to my heart. Her flower lives 34-35 days! And if you cut it off and put it in a vase, it will last a whole week, and sometimes more!

It is curious that if you write two "n" in the name of a flower, this will not be considered a mistake! Both options will be correct.

Zinnia is an annual plant. It's growing fantastically fast! From the moment of sowing seeds to the appearance of the first flowers, not much time passes - 2.5 months. And flowering lasts all summer, from late June to late autumn.

Growing a flower is a fascinating process. Her seeds are large and easy to work with. You don’t have to wait for shoots for a long time, they grow quickly, easily take root in a flower bed. Seeds can be sown directly in a flower bed in mid-May or seedlings can be grown, as you like.

Growing zinnia for seedlings

Seeds for seedlings are sown in mid-April and not earlier. March seedlings quickly gain height and by the time they land in the ground they even manage to acquire buds. It is difficult to transport such giants to the dacha - you can break it. And where at home can you find so much space for seedlings? Besides than older plant, the worse it will take root in a new place.

So, for seedlings, you will need a large container, at least 10 cm deep. Remember, zinnia grows very quickly! The seedlings will be rather big, so place the seeds at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other and at a depth of no more than 1 cm. Moisten well and cover with a film or glass.

It's great that the seedlings will have to wait only 3-4 days. When green babies appear, immediately remove the film. Try not to over-water. The soil at the base of the plant should be barely moist, but not a swamp!

When the sprouts become 10 cm high, each of them will need to dive into a separate pot. Do not be afraid to bury the seedlings to the level of the cotyledons. Very soon, the green leg of the sprouts will grow in the soil with adventitious roots.

Another trick: in order for the root system to branch better, the main root should be pinched a little by 1-2 cm and immediately into the ground!

"walk". AT good weather take it to the balcony. So the plants will get stronger and harden.

Approximately 4-6 weeks after sowing, seedlings can be taken to the country.

If tall varieties are sown, 30-40 cm of free space should remain between the plants, undersized - 20 cm.

As soon as the zinnias settle down a little in a new place, it's time to pinch the top of them to make the bushes more branchy. Some do it even at the seedling stage, above the fifth level of leaves. Well, that's it, it remains to wait for flowering!

Growing zinnia from seeds in a flower bed

Sowing zinnia seeds directly into the flower garden is less of a hassle. There is not always extra space for seedlings on the windowsill, and it is time-consuming. Moreover, the flower sprouts well in open ground. And strength is gained in the air faster than in a greenhouse!

When the threat spring frosts will pass, approximately somewhere after May 15, you can start sowing the plant. Make beds in the area designated for her. Perhaps you have some ideas for arranging a flower bed? For example, in a circle or in a checkerboard pattern? Pay attention to what varieties and species you plant. Depending on they are quite high and very small.

In any case, do not sow seeds deeper than 1 cm.

I like to sow directly into the flower bed. I sow 10 cm between seeds, and then at the stage of 4-5 leaves I thin out. I don’t throw away the removed plants, but plant them somewhere else in the flower bed.

That's all the subtleties of growing zinnia from seeds. As you can see, it's not that difficult! But what a queue of neighbors I collect at the dacha on the eve of September 1! Everyone wants a bouquet of zinnias for the teacher! And I don’t feel sorry for it, let both neighbors and school teachers rejoice with me!

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

Zinnia flower is 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.

Zinnia, popularly known as major, is an elegant plant with many large and bright colors. Its cultivation will not cause you any special problems, and its beauty will touch your eyes from early summer to autumn frosts. Today we will talk in detail about the only way that reproduces zinnia - growing from seeds. When to plant seeds in open ground and seedlings, we will also be sure to clarify.

Most often, zinnia becomes an element of decor made in rustic style. Often these flowers are also used to create more modern flower arrangements. It is in your power to create a truly unique flower garden with the participation of a unique zinnia!

Zinnia is a bewitching gift of nature!

To begin with, dear summer residents and, briefly consider the main characteristics of this popular ornamental plant. Zinnia is an annual. The height of the plant, depending on the variety, can be from 20 cm to 1 m, the colors of the flowers can be found in the most diverse.

Zinnia is very thermophilic, and even the smallest frosts can destroy it. For this reason, in regions where spring frosts often do not recede until the summer, it is grown only through seedlings. Zinnia seeds germinate well, and the plant develops rapidly and enters the flowering phase after an average of 2.5 months.

Growing seedlings

To make the flowers fantastically beautiful, it is necessary to pay due attention to each stage of cultivation. It is very important to know how to prepare seeds for planting, when to plant them, how to care for seedlings and mature plants.

When to plant seeds? Even if you want zinnia to please you with its flowering as early as possible, you should not rush too much with sowing seeds for seedlings. The most suitable period for this event is mid-April. If you start planting in March, then by the time of planting, the seedlings will outgrow, and, consequently, they will not take root well in a new place. Also, large branched plants are easier to break during the transplanting process.

How to plant zinnia seeds? For planting, you will need a large box with a depth of at least 10 cm. Lower the seeds to a depth of 1 cm. Leave 2 to 3 cm between them, since the seedlings will actively grow before picking. When planting is complete, water the soil abundantly and cover the box with foil. With the advent of seedlings, it is necessary to immediately remove the shelter.

When to dive? In order for zinnia to develop properly, it is necessary to plant the seedlings in separate spacious containers in time. It is best to do this when they reach a height of 10 cm.

Valuable tips from flower growers:

When picking, deepen the zinnia seedlings to the cotyledons to form more roots.
Taking the plant out of the common box, shorten the main root by 2-3 cm, and only then plant it in a separate pot or glass.

How to harden zinnia seedlings? Hardening of young seedlings should begin two weeks before moving to the estate. Choose the method depending on the growing conditions: you can open the window for the whole day, take the pots to the balcony or to the street. But do not forget to cover them from the midday sun and strong winds.

How to plant zinnia in the OG? It is customary to plant zinnia in an open area at the age of one to one and a half months. If everything goes according to plan, then in a month it will bloom. When planting varieties of zinnia that will have a height of 20-50 cm, leave only 20 cm between adjacent specimens. Place tall varieties of the flower less often - in increments of 30-40 cm. As soon as the zinnia gets stronger after transplantation, cut off the top of it to make lush bushes later.

Planting zinnia seeds in the exhaust gas

Gardeners who are in no hurry to see zinnia in all its splendor and do not like to mess with seedlings plant seeds directly in the exhaust gas. As already mentioned, this plant does not tolerate even slight frosts, so planting should be postponed until the period when even the slightest night frosts stop. Therefore, for most areas, only the end of May is suitable. It is easy to understand that flowering in this case will begin only at the end of summer. If you are willing to wait that long, this method of growing zinnia is right for you.

Sow the seeds in the holes, leaving between them the distance recommended by the manufacturer. Deepen by 5 cm. If you decide to plant several seeds in each hole, you will subsequently need to thin out. The plucked seedlings can be used as seedlings.

The site for zinnia should be sunny (without the slightest shading) and calm.
Light and fertile soil will be suitable. It is extremely important that water does not stagnate in the ground. To improve the drainage properties of the soil, sand is added to it.
Immediately after planting seeds or seedlings of zinnia in the exhaust gas, it is better to use covering material for some time to save the plant from possible frosts.

How to collect seeds?

In order to have high-quality planting material next year, select several zinnia bushes in advance to collect seeds. All side shoots should be cut from them. After waiting for the flowers to turn brown, they should be cut, dried and the seeds removed. Store the material in a dry place where there are no temperature fluctuations.

Interesting! There is no need to collect zinnia seeds every year, because they remain viable for 3 or even 4 years.

So, now you know that the only way to have gorgeous zinnia on your site is to grow from seeds. When to plant seeds for seedlings and in open ground, we described in detail. For the forgetful, we remind you: the second half of April and the second half of May, respectively. Zinnia is a flower that is ready to give its beauty without requiring special honor. The most important thing for him is a lot of sun and the absence of excess water. Otherwise, caring for zinnia is the most common.

Zinnia is an incredibly beautiful graceful representative of the Aster family, which has been grown in Russia for over 100 years. This is a wonderful decoration for flower beds, plots, balconies and even winter gardens. Its diversity is simply amazing, in addition to the riot of colors, there are also different forms - terry, in the form of a cactus or dahlia. There are no problems in growing zinnias at home, you just need to figure out what follows and how to get the seeds correctly.

General terms

The flower "loves" a large amount of sunlight, moderate watering, a stable temperature and a large space around. The maximum allowable distance between the bushes is 20 cm, so that the inflorescences are large enough. Water the plant in the morning or evening to prevent cracking of the soil and drying of the roots.

This is an annual crop. It usually takes 80 days from the moment of sowing to the appearance of the first flowers. If you practice the cultivation of zinnia seedling way, the first color will appear in early June. When sowing seeds in the ground - only in mid-July. Blooms until the first frost. On the next year needs to be planted again.

The seeds are harvested from the seed pods, which must be fully ripe and dark. First, carefully remove the boxes, dry them in the shade, then open and take out the seeds. Store them in a dry warm place.

To form a beautiful bush at the seedling stage, after the fourth leaf, pinch with nails, but do not break off.

Sowing for seedlings

The cultivation of zinnia seedlings begins in the first decade of April, in the southern regions - at the end of March. It is not worth sowing earlier, as the shoots will begin to stretch strongly, after transplantation it will adapt and get sick for a long time.

Given the fact that the seed of the flower is quite large, it is very easy to work with it. To get through the seedlings, the seeds are soaked and covered with a napkin. After 3-4 days, the grains will hatch. After that, they can be lowered into a peat tablet (preferably) or soil prepared in boxes. They are deepened by 1-1.5 cm, sprinkled with earth and watered so that the earth does not erode. In a week the first loops will appear.

It is desirable to cover a box with seedlings with a film to create a greenhouse effect. Once a day, the film is removed for a quarter of an hour for airing.

Fertilizer and care

Before picking, the plant is fed twice with liquid mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content. This is a prerequisite for healthy growth.

After the plant has been transplanted into open ground, it is fertilized two more times with a difference of 1.5-2 months with mullein diluted in water in a ratio (1: 5) or ready-made mineral supplements. The most favorable period for fertilizing will be the period of growth and the appearance of buds.

Hardening will be very important when growing zinnia, for which a box with seedlings is taken out for a short time a week after the appearance of the seedlings. Start with 15 minutes a day and in the sun and bring up to 3-4 hours in the shade.

VIDEO: Zinnia: cultivation and care

Dive

When the sprouts are pulled out by 10-12 cm, you can start diving, for which separate containers are prepared - cassettes, pots, peat pots. The main thing is that the depth of such a container should be at least 10 cm.

Try not to damage the still fragile root, for which they poke a little deeper with a spatula than they lowered the seed and take it out with an earthen clod. The plant is dived into the same soil that was planted. This will speed up the adaptation process.

The culture does not tolerate picking very well, so if possible, grow seeds in each individual peat glass or tablet. In the future, the container simply dissolves in the soil, and the root remains intact.

What should be the soil

When growing zinnia seedlings at home, you should not use the land from the garden, where bacterial infections, insect larvae and pupae are highly likely to remain. It is best to buy ready-made soil "For flower crops” or “Universal”, which does not require disinfection. This soil mixture is based on a combination of compost, peat and sand, which is ideal for growing zinnia through seedlings.

When transshipment is done in open ground

The seedlings are ready for transshipment when their height has reached 10 cm, and the ambient temperature does not consistently fall below 22°C.

2-2.5 weeks before transshipment, mandatory hardening is carried out, as described above. For 10 days, it is worth minimizing watering and starting to leave the pots outside all night. Such conditions from the “ordered to survive” series will benefit zinnia and, for sure, it will take root in the flower beds quickly and painlessly.

Any culture, and this one is no exception, is always planted in rainy or cloudy weather. In extreme cases, this is done in the evening so that the sun does not burn the young foliage.

Sowing zinnia from seeds on the beds

Seeds can only be sown outdoors after the threat of frost has passed. According to old customs, this time is after Easter, but in any case not earlier than mid-late April.

If the weather deteriorates sharply, the beds are covered with lutrasil or polyethylene to maintain the temperature and prevent the sprouts from freezing.

For planting in the beds, grooves are made 5-6 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm from each other and one grain is laid at a distance of 30-35 cm. Again, free space around is extremely important for zinnia.

After the seedlings stretch 10-15 cm, you can start the first feeding. Mullein solution is the best solution for this (see above).

Each culture has its own agrotechnical requirements. The peculiarity of growing zinnia for seedlings is the germination of seeds and their timely fertilization. In the future, the color will depend on how well they are cared for.

VIDEO: Growing zinnia seedlings

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.

There are two ways to grow zinnia. The first method is sowing seeds in open ground, and the second is 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.

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 region, 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, planting high and undersized varieties, which grow from 20 to 100 centimeters. Growing zinnia from seed- The job is easy. For this it is not necessary to be an experienced florist or have specialized 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. main feature 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? Planting material zinnias are 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. It is necessary to alternate the root and foliar feeding 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's 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, having egg-shaped, leaves, and graceful buds in the form of a basket, 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. root system 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 annuals, perennials. 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 plants. flowering plants, which are 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. An annual 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) - the most known species. Thanks to the work of breeders, you can find a large number of varieties and new forms are constantly being created - from miniature, reaching 30 cm in height to high -almost 120 cm. Inflorescences with a rich color palette can be simple, double and semi-double and differ 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 meet such valuable varieties like 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" in all shades purple and etc.

Chrysanthemum. It grows up to 60 -70 cm and has no less impressive inflorescences of orange, bright yellow, soft pink, coral and purple hue. 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 can be found in varietal forms. color scheme. 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 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 development period. flower buds and then repeat 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 agricultural cultivation, it is used seedling method planting zinnia. 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 under direct sunbeams. 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, 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.