How to identify zinnia seeds?
What do zinnia sprouts look like? Zinnia sprouts are green with oval leaves. The zinnia seedlings may still have the seedcoat on their cotyledons at first sprout. Zinnia seedling leaves are slightly pointed with thin lines impressed on the leaf surface. Stems are generally green or may have a purple hue. Zinnias are annual plants, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They will bloom continuously throughout the growing season, which can last several months, as long as the spent flowers are deadheaded regularly.Zinnia seeds are shaped like little spades and usually gray in color. Tan seeds might not be viable. If you buy seeds from the store, they’ll already have been separated from their petals, but when you save your own seeds, you can keep some petals attached.Wait until spring weather has settled. Zinnias are warm-season annuals and won’t tolerate cold or wet soil. If your local frost date has passed and the soil feels warm to the touch, you’re good to go. In cooler regions or for earlier blooms, start seeds indoors4 to 6 weeks before the last frost.No, soaking zinnia seeds before planting is not necessary. Zinnia seeds germinate readily when planted directly into moistened soil and providing warmth, sunlight, and keeping the soil moist during germination is sufficient.
How many years will zinnia seeds last?
Let the flowers mature, collect them, let them dry, then break them apart and keep the seeds in containers. Discard mushy or moldy pieces, and separate them from the healthy parts you’re saving. A healthy zinnia seed will last for three to five years. Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best. This is especially true of young plants. Water deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Don’t overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils.Saturate the potting mix with water and then place two zinnia seeds into each planting cell or pot. Press into the soil for good seed-to-soil contact and then cover with approximately half an inch of the potting mix.Water zinnias when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry and apply 1 inch of water per week. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot. Deadheading & Pruning: Deadheading (remove) and pruning the spent flowers will encourage a long blooming season.Plant after the last frost in spring when soil has warmed. Direct sowing is simple and effective. Do zinnias come back every year? No, zinnias are not perennials and must be replanted each year.
Can I just scatter zinnia seeds?
Sowing: Scatter your seeds or plant them in rows about ¼ inch deep. I prefer to sow generously and then thin the seedlings once they’re established, leaving 9-12 inches of space between plants for optimal airflow and growth. Scatter sowing works really well for some species, but it isn’t suited for all flowers, herbs, and vegetables. It’s a good method for plants that grow best when directly sown but it isn’t appropriate for plants that need more care during the germination stage and need to be started in seed trays.
Can you save seeds from zinnias and plant next year?
When it comes to saving Zinnia seed, I wait till the flower heads are brown on the plant, snip off, let dry inside a few more days and I toss in a brown paper bag to save for the next season. I let the Zinnias go to seed in the fall- usually late August in preparation for a mid October frost. Zinnias are fast-growing, long-blooming annuals that are practically made for container gardens. Growing zinnias in pots is one of the simplest ways to create a colorful summer display on a small balcony, lining a patio, or adding a pop of color to your front steps.Zinnias won’t tolerate cold so need to be sown in spring not autumn. Late spring sowings help avoid frosts. Plants should be planted outdoors only when all danger of frosts is past, normally June.Zinnias are annuals, so they’ll grow for one season to produce flowers and seeds, but the original plant will not come back in subsequent years. They have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem, which makes them great for use as a cutting flower or as food for butterflies.Wait until spring to sow zinnia seeds. Zinnias are warm-season annuals that thrive in warm soil and won’t survive frost. Planting in the fall risks seeds rotting or being damaged by winter weather. Instead, store seeds in a cool, dry place over winter.
What month is best to sow zinnia seeds?
Direct Sowing Zinnia Seeds For direct seeding, the best time to sow is generally a couple of weeks after the last frost date. Zinnias love warm temperatures, so it’s important not to plant them too early. Wait until the daytime temperatures are about 70°F. In my zone (5b), this is generally around early- to mid-May. When it comes to saving Zinnia seed, I wait till the flower heads are brown on the plant, snip off, let dry inside a few more days and I toss in a brown paper bag to save for the next season. I let the Zinnias go to seed in the fall- usually late August in preparation for a mid October frost.Zinnias typically take around 2 months from seed to flower, although this can change depending on weather conditions. Here are some additional tips to grow zinnias: Choose a bright and sunny spot for your zinnias. Cover zinnia seeds with just ¼ inch of soil because they need light to germinate.Yes, cutting zinnia stems to display in a vase causes the plant to produce more blooms. So don’t be afraid to cut zinnias in your cutting garden—it encourages more flowers.Water zinnias when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry and apply 1 inch of water per week. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot. Deadheading & Pruning: Deadheading (remove) and pruning the spent flowers will encourage a long blooming season.Plants Not To Grow With Zinnias Zinnias also do not grow well in shade and may become leggy and weak without adequate sunshine. Avoid planting them with shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, hellebores, lobelia, and impatiens.