How to grow zinnias - our best tips
Zinnian is one of our absolute favorite summer flowers! It has so many qualities - it is insanely beautiful, it is excitingly changeable, it comes in a multitude of colors and shapes, it has a sturdy stem and is excellent as a cut flower, it can be dried... Yes, you see - the list of pluses is very long. In addition, it is easy to grow and is therefore a perfect flower even for the beginner grower. We have many lovely varieties in our assortment - you can find them all collected here .
Below we provide a step-by-step guide on how to grow zinnias that will help you succeed with these beauties!
Zinnia Quenny Lime Red - one of our absolute favorites
SOWING AND HARVESTING ZINNIA
Growing location: Grown outdoors/in a flowerbed, in a pallet collar or larger pot on the balcony in a sunny location (6-7 hours of sun/day).
AT SOWING
So zinnia indoors in March-May depending on how early flowering you want. The seeds can be sown in a growing briquette or a small pot filled with potting soil. Make sure to water thoroughly before sowing the zinnia. Poke a seed about 0.5 cm into the growing briquette/pot and cover the seed.
Mark Sowing with markers. Specify variety and date.
Cover sow with transparent cover with air holes. Tip – use a greenhouse with a plastic lid and place a capillary mat in the bottom to provide an even and good water supply. Place on a heating floor or heating mat for extra fast germination.
Water regularly - never let the seed dry out!
1-2 WEEKS AFTER SOWING
Provide light . When the seed germinates, usually after 5-15 days, it needs light. Remove the plastic and place the seed in a brighter and cooler place.
RETRAINING
Replant When the plant has 4 leaves, it needs more space to grow. Plant the plant in a pot measuring approximately 7x7-10x10 cm, which is filled with nutritious potting soil. Plant at the same depth as the plant was previously. Water with lukewarm water. Here, the plants are then allowed to grow before it is time to plant out.
Top the plant when it is about 10-15 cm, i.e. cut off the top just above the second or third pair of leaves to get new shoots to grow.
FINAL PLANTING
Soften the plant when the risk of frost is over, to accustom it to the outdoor environment. Start with 1 hour/day and gradually increase the time outside. Avoid direct sunlight which is too strong for the tender leaves. After a week or so it is ready for a permanent life outdoors.
Plant out the flower in its growing location, for example in a flower bed or pallet collar, with 20 cm between each plant and 25 cm between each row. Plant in well-fertilized soil. Make sure to support the flower with a support stick so that it can reach its full potential. Fertilize a few times during the season to enjoy long beautiful flowering.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Harvest and enjoy about 4 months after sowing and you can then enjoy showy bouquets right up until the first frost.
Zinnia 'Benery's Giant Cora l' - the queen of zinnias
