This is my second generation Zinnia. I grew them last year from seed, then saved some seeds from them.
Zinnias are really easy to grow from seed but they are a little temperamental when transplanted. I wintersowed some in March and although they grew really well in the milk jugs, the ones I transplanted from there look like crap compared to these that I direct sowed.
To plant them I dug 1/4 inch trenches, put the seeds in and covered them back up with dirt. I thinned them once they got about an inch tall. I didn't do that last year and as a result they were entirely too crowded which the foliage didn't appreciate. Aren't the the just-about-to-open ones cool looking?
I think I'll keep saving these and see just how many years I can grow Zinnia from the same seed line. I'm also very interested to see how different the color is. These seem more pink this year where I remembered them being more purple last year.
Have you had good luck transplanting your Zinnia? What's your secret?
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I've never transplanted Zinias but I do know that some plants do much better direct seeded than started in containers. And Zinias grow so fast I wonder if its even necesary to try to start them early. What if you direct seeded them into a bed but then covered the bed with some frost fabric, that way you culd start them as early as possible but not actually have to move them. I dunno what their soil temp for germination requirements are though. My Zinias are about the bloom and I plan to save the seeds. I also have some killer (freaking huge) Marigolds that I hope to save some seeds from for next year.
You've tipped the scales for me - I'm growing Zinnias next year! I'm hopeless at indoor seed starting, so direct sowing is the way for me.
My zinnias are second generation this year too....last year, there were more colors, yellow, maybe rust, as well as pink. This year...almost all variations of pink....it must be the dominant color.
As far as transplanting, I stuck the entire wintersown clump in the ground and they have done alright for themselves even though I've neglected them.
i cut some of the zinnia blooms and now mother-in-law is upset she wanted to get the seeds from them. I cut them so they will grow more blooms faster but she said it will not work. Which one of us is wrong?
Check out the Zinnia cultivar I grew this year 'Magellan Coral' it is great! It is under the annuals link on my blog. Short and great for pots and can even be direct sowed into pots. I find that the zinnias I start indoors from seed do great when transplanted into pots but not so great when transplanted into the garden?
Cheers gardening friends!
Livefree you are right and your mother-in-law is wrong. I know from experience as this is the second year I planted zinnias and the first year I didn't cut the blooms when they died so nothing grow back, however this year I have been busy doing it which has lead to lots of blooms.
Hey, I have this same zinnia in my garden! I even have very similar pictures! Too funny. Is your plant over four feet tall like mine is?
I love this one and am also trying to save the seed. I have done both cutting flowers and letting them go to seed and it hasn't seemed to affect the amount of flowers - they are profuse no matter what I do. I found this blog doing a Google search on how to grow zinnias since I had such good luck with this ONE plant.
I am fortunate enough to have zinnia seeds that have been saved each year for the past 60 plus years! my wife's grandmother gave me some of her seeds for my birthday the last few years and i planted, and saved, the seeds to hand them down to my own children. grandma's not with us anymore, but her flowers will bloom eternally in my heart and my garden
I have planted Zinnia for first time to. Any comments and tips would be appreciated.
My blog is
http://zinnia2009.blogspot.com/
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