Zinnia planting time. Planting zinnias in open ground and caring for them. Sowing for seedlings

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.

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.).
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.
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 wilts, 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 stocks without an inscription on the package.

Zinnia: cultivation and care - video

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Zinnia is a flowering perennial, which is cultivated in our latitudes as an annual plant. It is not capricious and is very easy to care for, so you can grow it yourself without any problems. And if you set out to decorate your backyard in the best possible way, then it would be far from superfluous to find out exactly how zinnia is planted and cared for in the open field.

Zinnia can be bred in two ways, and whichever one you choose, it will not require much effort and time.

zinnia seeds

The simplest method of planting is considered seed. And first, let's find out what zinnia seeds look like. They are of three types: in the form of shields, with a subulate tongue and spear-shaped.

On a note! It is worth noting that all three types of seeds can be found in one seed basket, and at the same time, plants belonging to different varieties often grow from each variety! For this reason, it is better to decompose each species separately immediately after collection!

What kind of flowers can be obtained from certain seeds?

If the seed is in the form of a shield, then simple zinnias grow out of it, even if it was collected from a double flower.
Spear-shaped seeds give semi-double or double plant species.
From seeds with an awl-shaped tongue (they will be the darkest), you can get the most luxurious flowers - terry.

Undoubtedly, terry inflorescences are the most spectacular. However, it must be remembered here that they will become such only with proper care. If you are not sure that you can devote enough time to your zinnia, then in this case it is better to stop at semi-double or simple varieties. In addition, the latter are much less susceptible to diseases, relatively calmly endure the vagaries of the weather and forgive quite a few mistakes for novice growers.

Reproduction by seeds

So, if you decide to plant zinnia seeds in open ground, then you should remember that this requires a certain climate, and during severe long winters this method of reproduction is not suitable. Planting seeds immediately in open ground is possible under mild climatic conditions - if your backyard is located in a warm region.

The procedure is as follows:

we sort out the seed, wrap the selected seeds in a wet piece of clean cloth and leave for a couple of days - we will plant those grains that will germinate during this time;
we dig the site, make small grooves, each with several holes, arranging them in such a way that there is a distance of at least 35 cm between them;
pour a few seeds (4-5 pcs.) into each hole, immerse them in the substrate by about 1 cm and sprinkle sand on top.

Growing seedlings

For the climatic conditions of our country, the most acceptable method of growing zinnia is seedling. So the plants take root better and begin to bloom much earlier.

So, planting zinnia by seedling method and caring for it is carried out in the following way:

we prepare the seeds according to the scheme described above - we wrap them with a wet towel and after a few days we select those that have sprouted;
fill small pots with moistened peat and place 2-3 seeds in each;
On a note! Sowing zinnia seeds for seedlings is best in April. If you do this earlier, then the seedlings may turn out to be too elongated, and, accordingly, the plants will be very fragile!
we fill the seeds with peat by about 1 cm and water a little;
we transfer the seedlings to a well-lit place, while the air temperature should be within + 22..24 ° C.

Preparatory measures before planting seedlings in open ground

In general, planting and caring for zinnia for many years is not difficult, however, before determining seedlings in open ground, certain preparatory measures must be taken.

planting material

If you decide not to grow seedlings, but to purchase it in a store, then its choice should be approached wisely:

it is better to buy ready-made seedlings in agricultural firms or specialized points of sale;
preference should be given to plants that are planted singly;
seedlings should be strong, and their stems not too long;
buy those varieties that can grow and produce strong flowers in the climatic conditions of your particular area - exotic species may be too delicate and demanding.

Place to land

Zinnias are unpretentious, but, despite this, the site on which they will grow must meet certain requirements:

since the plant is thermophilic, it is desirable that the bed is located in a sunny place, which at the same time will be protected from drafts;
it’s good if this site is located on a small hill - this will provide good drainage, and it is precisely such soils that zinnia prefers;
do not forget to focus on the planned picture - low-growing varieties look best in small flower beds, tall ones are usually planted singly or make group plantings, dwarf ones are suitable for balcony pots and will perfectly cope with the role of ground cover plants.

Soil selection

As mentioned above, zinnia prefers to grow in well-drained soil - this way moisture will not stagnate and the plant will not rot. However, this is not the only condition:

the land must be fertile, saturated with nutrients;
it is better to give preference to a substrate with a neutral pH level;
before planting seedlings, the bed must be dug up by about 40 cm - this way you saturate the soil with oxygen and remove weeds;
while digging into the substrate, it is desirable to add compost or humus.

Advice! Site preparation is best done in the fall!

How to plant zinnia?

The technology for planting young seedlings is as follows:

if, according to the recommendation, you prepared the site in the fall, then before planting the seedlings, you need to dig it up again;
we make rows and holes - since this culture needs space, it is necessary to leave distances between the bushes: at least 10 cm for undersized plants, at least 20 cm for medium-sized ones, about 30 cm for tall ones and about 40 cm between rows;
if the bed is in a lowland, then to ensure good drainage, a little clean sand should be poured into the bottom of each hole;
we remove the seedlings from the pots and, without shaking off the substrate, place it in the holes;
sprinkle each bush in the root area with soil and mulch with dry peat - the last event will help retain moisture in the substrate.

Features of care

So, we figured out the planting of zinnia, now you should pay attention to the features of care. This flower definitely needs to be given some attention - this is the only way you will get profusely flowering plants that will become the best decoration for your site.

Agricultural technology is simple.

Watering. Zinnia does not like excessive moisture, and therefore it should not be watered too often. Otherwise, the root system of plants will begin to rot and the flowers will simply die. Watering is done rarely, but at the same time regularly and in large portions. A stream of water should be directed under the root, trying not to touch the buds.
On a note! Zinnia tolerates drought much more calmly than waterlogging the soil. However, watering too rarely is not worth it, as the plant will begin to fade - the leaves will wilt, and the petals will lose their bright color!
Loosening. It also needs to be carried out regularly, while removing all weeds. Loosen the soil very carefully so as not to damage the stem. It is advisable to do this immediately after watering, so that the earth becomes lighter and does not retain moisture.
Mulching. This procedure helps to reduce the amount of loosening and significantly reduce the number of weeds. Dry peat is usually used as mulch.
Top dressing. By feeding zinnia throughout the entire growth period, you can achieve its maximum active and lush flowering. Fertilizers are applied a couple of times during the cultivation of seedlings. In this case, it is better to use mineral supplements with a reduced level of nitrogen. Adult plants are fertilized two more times during the growing season, with the first time - a month after planting in the ground. Here you can already apply complex fertilizers or a solution of manure. The second time, strengthened zinnias are fed in the bud formation phase.
Topping. This is done in order to get a lush branched bush. Some flower growers prefer to pinch zinnia at the seedling stage - when the fifth true leaf is formed. However, it is not at all necessary to rush in such a hurry - you can pinch the plant even after it is planted in open ground. If you have chosen tall varieties that are needed exclusively for cutting, you do not need to pinch them.

Pest control

Zinnia is prone to diseases such as:

Spotting is a rather serious disease that is incurable. At the first sign of damage, damaged areas of the plant should be removed immediately. If the bush is completely damaged, it is dug up and destroyed.
Powdery mildew is the most common disease for zinnias. The main symptom is white spots on the leaves and stem. It is treated with fungicides, for example, Topaz.
Gray mold is another disease that can be cured with one of the fungicides. In this case, Fundazol is most often used.

When planting zinnias, you should not combine them with branched flowers, such as petunias, as they require a lot of light. The best neighbors will be carnations, asters or ageratums.
During prolonged downpours, bushes can strongly lean towards the ground, due to which the roots will break out from under it. To protect the plants, they must be tied to a trellis, and the substrate should be diluted with peat - so the water will penetrate much better.
Cut zinnias can stay fresh for up to a week. And in order to extend the life of the bouquet, it is recommended to dip its ends in hot water.

Zinnia is the flower that can be found in almost any personal plot. They love her for the diversity of the color palette, up to the green petals. In addition, it can be combined with absolutely any other flowers that are already in your flower bed or you are just planning to plant. But when it is possible to plant zinnia in open ground, it can become a problematic issue.

plant benefits

Not only the attractive appearance of zinnia makes it so popular. In addition to color, it has other advantages:

Various height. Zinnias are valued for being of different heights. It is thanks to this feature that you can make all kinds of flower bed compositions.
Easy care. When growing this flower, there will be practically no hassle. With minimal care, the result will be maximum. This flower is famous for its unpretentiousness. And the question of when to plant zinnias in open ground is simply solved.
Bait for winged insects. Even just a few flowers will lure a lot of butterflies and bees to your site. This is what hive holders use.
Permanent bloom. It is quite easy to achieve flowering throughout the summer, you need to regularly pinch off the flowers. And the more the better.

General growing rules

As mentioned earlier, caring for a plant will not take you much time and effort. However, the basic rules are binding. First of all, you need to decide when to plant zinnias in open ground. The answer depends on the methods of reproduction, which will be discussed later in the article.

During the time you need to ensure that there are no rotting or faded inflorescences. If found, they must be removed immediately, especially if the rainy season has come. And do not forget to treat each plant with fungicides at the end of summer.

Selecting a landing site

Zinnia belongs to heat-loving plants. This must be taken into account when choosing a place. Having chosen the time when to plant zinnia seedlings in open ground or its seeds, you need to choose a suitable site for it. The best place will be an area that will be sufficiently open and lit. In addition, pay attention to the soil. Zinnia is very fond of loose soil, which at the same time will be sufficiently fertilized. Also don't forget about drainage.

Plant propagation methods

Zinnia propagates in two ways: seeds and seedlings. It depends on the chosen method when to plant zinnias in open ground.

Reproduction using seedlings is usually carried out not earlier than the end of March, but you need to have time before mid-April. This procedure is carried out as follows. Seeds should be laid out on a pre-moistened cloth. After some time, shoots appear, among which the strongest are selected. It usually takes about 2-3 days; if the seeds are old enough, then about a week. The choice of when to plant zinnias in open ground in the spring depends on this.

While the seeds germinate, you can prepare the soil. For this, sand and black soil are taken in proportions of 1: 2. After the sprouts appear, they can be placed in pots to a depth of 1 cm. The temperature in the room must be maintained at 23 degrees, no more. The distance between the seeds should be at least 30 cm. After the appearance of the third leaflet, if necessary, the culture is thinned out. After some time, pinching the top is required to obtain more lush flowering in the future.

When can zinnia be planted in open ground when choosing a seed propagation method? It is better to do this at the end of April until the end of the first decade of May, depending on climatic conditions. The seeds are buried at the same distance as when planting seedlings, about 1 cm. The distance between the bushes is at least 30 cm.

In order to artificially extend the flowering period, it is recommended to combine both methods, since plants grown from seedlings will be the first to please.

Rules for planting a plant in open ground

When can you plant zinnias? Question that makes you think. However, the answer is quite simple: when the danger of frost returning is reduced to zero. Usually this time falls on the second half of May. In the case of planting directly with seeds, this can be done a little earlier.

The selected area should be well lit, protected from drafts, it should be neutral. Drainage also needs to be considered.

Before planting, the soil needs to be prepared. To do this, it needs to be dug to a depth of about 45 cm in order to clear the area of weeds. During this process, it is recommended to add organic fertilizer in the form of foliar humus or manure (about 8 kg per 1 m2). The ideal time for soil preparation is autumn.

Subject to the rules of planting, as well as the correct choice of when to plant zinnias in open ground, flowering will begin in July.

Features of caring for zinnias

If you have chosen the right time, you know how to properly plant zinnias in open ground, the flowers will definitely please you if you do not forget to take care of them.

This plant requires regular watering and fertilizing. Watering should be plentiful, especially during dry summers. However, care must be taken to ensure that moisture does not fall directly on the flowers.

During flowering, all wilted inflorescences must be removed.

Additional supports or other strengthening of the stem are not required, even if you decide to place high subspecies on your site (you can read when planting zinnias in the ground at the beginning of the article).

Feeding can be started already at the stage of growing seedlings. Mineral fertilizers, which have little nitrogen in their composition, are suitable for this. There should be three such procedures before planting in open ground. After landing on the site, organic fertilizers, such as liquid manure, can also be used. It is necessary to carry out top dressing twice a season: after planting and budding.

Prevention of diseases and protection from insects is a must. Often problems are due to aphids, May beetles, snails and slugs. Spaced bowls with beer around the perimeter or ordinary pieces of roofing material, under which these creeps hide, will be able to help in this. After that, assemble them manually.

The most common disease of zinnias is, upon detection of which even one damaged leaflet should be cut off. If the plant is heavily infected, you will have to remove it entirely.

Now you know when to plant zinnia seedlings in open ground.