Growing zinnia from seeds: sowing dates and growing rules

Zinnia is a real decoration for any personal plot, which will delight you with its beautiful flowering from the beginning of summer to the very frost.

Next, we will talk about the nuances of the process of growing zinnia, namely the timing and rules of sowing seeds for seedlings, as well as caring for seedlings at home before and after planting in open ground.

When to plant zinnias for seedlings: timing

The seedling period for zinnia is rather short: from germination to the beginning of flowering, as a rule, it takes only 45-50 days. In other words, the plant develops quickly enough, which means that there is no point in rushing to sowing, especially since it is necessary to plant only after frost.

Accordingly, the optimal timing for planting zinnias on seedlings is end of March-April (depending on the climatic features of the region, for example, in the Middle Lane, you should start sowing no earlier than mid-April).

By the way! In general, after frost, you can sow zinnia seeds and immediately into the ground.

According to the lunar calendar for 2021

Choosing a specific date for sowing seeds can help you Moon calendar.

So,favorable days for sowing zinnia for seedlings in 2021, according to the lunar calendar, are:

• in March - 2-8, 10-14, 29-31;
• in April - 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 17-20, 24, 25;
• in May - 2-6, 15-17, 20, 21, 25-31;
• in June - 2-4, 7-9, 11-14, 16-19.

Unfavorable days, according to the lunar calendar for 2021, for sowing zinnia are the following dates (days of the Full Moon and New moons, as well as the period when the Moon is in Aquarius, because it is a barren and dry sign - in italics):

• in March - 9-10, 13, 28;
• in April - 5-6, 12, 27;
• in May - 2-4, 11, 26, 30-31;
• in June - 10, 24, 26-27.

How to properly sow zinnia seeds for seedlings

Suitable landing container

As a seedling container for growing zinnia it is advisable to immediately use individual containers (to do not pick): the same plastic cups, peat pots, plastic cassettes. A container with a volume of 200-250 ml will be enough.

Of course, you can sow in a common container, but in this case you will have to plant the seeds at a sufficient distance so that the plants are not crowded, or grow with a dive.

Important! Don't forget to do it in a landing container drain holesso that excess moisture does not stagnate in the ground and can pour freely into the pan.

Soil

Somehow in a special way, it is not necessary to prepare a soil mixture for zinnia: it is enough for the soil to be moderately loose and fertile... Accordingly, any purchased ready-made soil for flower seedlings (peat-based).

Or you can prepare it yourself (soil mixture). Namely, take deoxidized peat and mix with any baking powder (sand, perlite, vermiculite), add a little humus.

Direct sowing

Step-by-step instructions for planting zinnia seeds for seedlings:

• Fill the planting containers with earth (about 3/4, i.e. not up to the top).
• Carefully and abundantly moisten the surface layer of the soil (it is most convenient to use a spray bottle) so that the seeds have enough moisture for germination.
• The seeds of zinnia are large enough, so they can be manually pressed lightly (literally by 0.5 cm) into the moist soil mixture.

For 100% germination in each individual container, sow (deepen) 2-3 seeds at once.

• Cover with a plastic bag or wrap (to keep it warm and humid inside, the soil does not dry out).
• Place in a warm and bright place. The optimum temperature for seed germination is + 22-25 degrees.

Zinnia seedling care after planting

Zinnia seeds germinate and sprout in 4-7 days.

Taking care of zinnia seedlings after germination is quite simple:

• Keep on a light and warm windowsill (optimally - in the south, south-west or south-east).
• Monitor humidity and water regularly (in no case should the soil dry out).
• If seedlings will stretch (and with tall varieties of zinnia this happens quite often), then in cups you will need add earth (if you left the place in advance).

• Some growers recommend pinch the top zinnia seedlings (over 4-5 leaves) to stimulate the regrowth of side shoots (tillering) and further more lush flowering.

Video: pinching the tops of zinnia seedlings

Picking

If you sowed zinnias in a common container, then at the stage of 1-2 true leaves, the seedlings need to be unpacked into individual containers (the same 200 ml cups or plastic cassettes). The procedure itself is standard, no different from petunia picks or seedlings of the same peppers or eggplant.

Video: zinnia dive

When to plant in a flower bed and how to care in the open field

It is possible to plant zinnia seedlings in open ground only after stable warm weather has been established and return spring frosts have passed.

The fact is that zinnia is not frost-resistant at all, and it can be damaged by the shortest and most insignificant frosts.

In other words, the approximate timing of planting zinnia seedlings in a flower garden is the second half of May-early June.

As for the choice of a place on the site and the preparation of the flower bed (soil) itself, then:

• Zinnia will bloom profusely only in warm and sunny areas.

Interesting! Surprisingly, zinnias are quite wind-resistant. Bushes are tall, but powerful.

• In this case, the soil should be loose, well-drained and sufficiently fertile... Therefore, it will not be superfluous to add organic (humus, compost) and mineral fertilizers (nitroammofosku) for digging.

The plants themselves are planted by transshipment into prepared holes (by the size of planting cups) at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other (depending on the size of the variety).

Care rules:

• Despite the fact that zinnia is a fairly drought-resistant plant, it is very responsive to watering.

Note! If you do not water the zinnia at all, then in the absence of moisture, the plant may lose its decorative effect, namely, the color intensity and the size of the inflorescences themselves will decrease.

• If you fertilized the soil in advance, then you can do without top dressing. If not, then 10 days after disembarking the seedlings, it can be feed complex fertilizer such as Fertiki Lux or some similar (for flowering plants) and then repeat a couple of times.
• Unfortunately, zinnias (like asters), susceptible to fusarium wilt... Therefore, to prevent this fungal disease, the soil should be periodically shed with solutions of fungicides (Fitosporin, Maxim, Vitaros, copper sulfate).
• And in the fall, you can collect plant seeds yourself.

Important! Suitable for collecting seeds only varietal zinnias. If this is an F1 hybrid, it is rather difficult to predict what will grow from such seeds, but it will differ from the parent plant for sure (don't expect double flowers!).

Video: how to prepare zinnia seeds yourself

Well, now you know how to grow strong zinnia seedlings and when you can plant it in open ground so that you can enjoy its abundant flowering all summer and autumn (until the first frost). Good luck!

By the way! Zinnias are just perfect for cutting. They will stand long and beautifully.