Zinnia cultivation and care in the open. Growing zinnia from seeds at home

To date, there are a large number of flowering plants that are found in almost all areas and flower beds. Such permanent flower decorations of gardens include zinnias - bright and such diverse flowers.

Many people know this plant under a completely different name - majors. This is a flower, without which it is simply impossible to imagine a summer garden or a summer flower garden, because this plant has a simply magnificent bright look. That is why many gardeners give preference to this handsome man over many exotic flowers. However, despite its fame and popularity, growing zinnia has a number of nuances and difficulties that you need to know.

In this article, we will consider the main features and description of zinnia, as well as note the most popular and common types and varieties of this plant. We will reveal in more detail the main and important nuances of agricultural technology for growing this crop.

Features and description of zinnia

Zinnia is a herbaceous or shrubby perennial flowering plant that belongs to the large Asteraceae or Compositae family. It was from this family that the most popular flowers in our gardens came out, for example, asters, marigolds. The homeland of zinnia is Southern Mexico, from where this flowering plant spread primarily to North America, and only then throughout the world. The indigenous population of America and Mexico began to cultivate zinnia as early as 1500, but this plant came to Europe in the 18th century. In European countries, bright zinnias have become the favorite flowers of aristocrats. Three centuries later, majors have spread throughout the world, winning the love of gardeners.

At one time, this flower was a symbol of such a US state as Indiana. The zinnia flower got its name in honor of the botanist and pharmacologist Johann Zinn, who helped the famous scientist Carl Linnaeus research his herbarium material.

An interesting fact is connected with this flower - it was zinnia that became the first flower that bloomed in zero gravity aboard the International Space Station in 2016.

Description of zinnia:

• Zinnia - perennial, which has decorative features. In our climate, this flower is grown only as an annual, since its homeland is Southern Mexico with its warm climate.
• This flower is one of the most popular in gardens around the world. The plant is most popular in North America.
• Zinnia flower can grow in the form herbaceous plant or a small bush, depending on the particular variety.
• On average, the height of zinnia can be 20-100 cm.
• The stems of this plant are quite strong, erect, tolerate windy conditions well. Therefore, even tall varieties do not require additional garters.
• One of the features of zinnia is its rapid growth.
• Zinnia leaves are oblong ovoid, slightly pointed at the top. Dark green in color, slightly pubescent. They are attached to the stems without petioles, are sessile, arranged oppositely or whorled, collected several at a time at the same level.
• Zinnia flowers are apical baskets that grow on long peduncles. They are single inflorescences.
• They vary in size - from 3 cm to 14 cm.
• The flower consists of reed petals or tubular. The petal petals are arranged in several rows and have various colors: red, yellow, orange, pink, white. The tubular petals are located in the center of the basket and are yellow or yellowish red.
• Zinnia flowering begins in early summer, around mid-June, and lasts until frost. No wonder this flower is called long-blooming.
• The zinnia plant is distinguished by its resistance to drought, but it cannot stand even the slightest frost, as it is a heat-loving flower.

The most popular types and varieties of zinnia

To date, there are about 22 types of zinnia in nature, but only a few can be grown under the conditions of our climatic zone. Such plants include elegant zinnia, narrow-leaved zinnia, fine-flowered zinnia and linearis zinnia. Consider all these types and their varieties in more detail.

Zinnia graceful

• This type of zinnia has been cultivated since 1796.
• The natural habitat of zinnia graceful is the territory of southern Mexico.
• It is a herbaceous plant.
• A tall plant that can reach a height of up to 1 meter.
• The plant is formed by erect stems that branch slightly. The entire stem is pubescent with stiff hairs.
• The leaves of the plant are ovoid, slightly pointed, up to 7 cm in length.
• At the tops of the stems, single basket inflorescences of different shades bloom: white, orange, pink.
• The inflorescences are rather large in size, in diameter they can reach 5-16 cm.
• The shape of the inflorescence can be simple, semi-double and terry.
• Inflorescences consist of reed and tubular petals.
• Flowering graceful zinnia begins in early summer and lasts until the very cold.
• By flowering time: early flowering, medium flowering, late flowering.

Varieties of zinnia elegant in stem height:

• Zinnia dwarf - reaches a height of only 15-30 cm. Distinctive feature of such zinnias is their good branching and the possibility of growing both in open ground as well as in pots.
• Medium zinnia - can reach a height of 35-50 cm.
• High zinnia - plants 60-95 cm tall.

Varieties of zinnia according to the shape of inflorescences (only 7 categories, of which only a few are grown on our territory):

• Zinnia dahlia. Tall compact bushes, moderately branching. They can grow up to 90 cm in height. The stem is densely covered with large, up to 12 cm leaves. The inflorescences are terry, hemispherical in shape, can reach 14 cm in diameter. Varieties of dahlia-colored zinnias: "Violet" - a plant up to 75 cm in height with inflorescences of all shades of purple; "Orange koenig" - flowers up to 70 cm high with bright large, double inflorescences of a red-orange hue.
• Zinnia Lilliput. It is a low compact plant up to 50 cm in height, strongly branching. The stems are strewn with small leaves and small inflorescences. The flowers are shaped like small pom-poms. Varieties of zinnia Lilliput: "Little Red Riding Hood" - a plant up to 55 cm in height with densely double inflorescences of a bright red hue; "Tambelina" is a variety mixture with flowers of different shades.
• Zinnia fantasy. They are dense compact bushes up to 60 cm in height. Differs in large leaves and unusual shape flowers that consist of narrow, slightly twisted petals. Varieties of zinnia fantasy: "Gift" - a plant with bright red inflorescences.

In addition to these groups of elegant zinnia, the following are also grown around the world: Californian zinnia, cactus flowers, super cactus flowers, scabiose flowers.

Zinnia angustifolia

• This type of zinnia is native to southern Mexico.
• It is a bush formed by erect shoots that branch strongly.
• The leaves are small, oblong in shape.
• The inflorescences of this species are also small, in shape they can be simple or terry.
• The color of flowers of zinnia angustifolia is orange.

Popular varieties of narrow-leaved zinnia:

• Sort "Glorienshine". dwarf plant, highly branched in shape. It can reach a height of only 25 cm. It is distinguished by an unusual color of inflorescences: at the very center, the petals are painted in orange tones, and at the ends - in reddish-brown.
• Sort "Persian Carpet Mix". Plants that are distinguished by a large number of shades of inflorescences: two-tone reddish hue with lemon, white, pink. Often used as ground cover plants.

Zinnia fine-flowered

• Plant of medium height that can grow up to 60 cm.
• A small bush is formed by thin and fragile stems that have an unusual reddish tint.
• On the tops of the stems there are small inflorescences up to 3 cm in diameter.

Zinnia linearis

• It is the shortest type of zinnia, which can reach a height of only 25-35 cm.
• The stems of this plant are densely strewn with small, long and narrow leaves.
• The flowers are also small, have a yellow tint with an orange border around the edge of the petals.

Popular varieties of zinnia linearis:

• Sort "Golden ai". The inflorescence of this plant variety has a white core and white reed petals, which is very similar to chamomile.
• Variety "Caramel". This plant stands out in inflorescences with caramel-yellow reed petals and black tubular petals.

Reproduction of zinnia: the most common methods

Zinnia is a flowering perennial plant that is grown as an annual in our latitudes. You can easily breed this flower yourself. Zinnia can propagate in two ways: seeds and seedlings. Let's take a closer look at the two types of plant breeding.

Seed propagation of zinnia

You can plant zinnia seeds directly in open ground. However, this requires certain climatic conditions. If your winters are harsh and long, then sowing seeds directly into the ground will not work for you. To do this, your area must have a warm and mild climate. If this is possible, do the following:

• First of all, zinnia seeds must be subjected to selection. To do this, wrap them in a damp cloth and leave it like that for a couple of days. Good seeds should germinate.
• Next, on the selected site, prepare a landing site. Carefully dig the soil and make small grooves.
• Sow seeds in them and gently sprinkle with sand.
• From above, the bed can be covered with a film to create a small greenhouse.
• Under these conditions, the seeds will germinate in about two weeks.

Reproduction of zinnia seedlings

This method is the most suitable for our climatic conditions. Moreover, home-grown zinnia seedlings will take root and bloom much faster.

• First of all, it is necessary to select only high-quality seeds. To do this, moisten gauze in Hellene and wrap zinnia seeds in it. In this position, hold the planting material for several days. If your seeds are fresh, they will begin to germinate in a couple of days. They are suitable for seedlings.
• The best time for sowing seeds for seedlings is April. If you sow them early, then your seedlings can stretch very much. And in the end you get very thin and fragile plants.
• Next, you need to prepare separate pots or cups to avoid picks. Zinnias do not like to be disturbed at such a young age.
• Pots need to be filled with moistened peat.
• Seeds are sown in several pieces (about 2-3 pieces per pot). Sprinkle with peat about 1 cm on top.
• Next, the soil in the pots needs to be moistened, the field of which the future seedlings need to be placed in a bright and rather warm room.
• Optimum temperature for germination of zinnia seeds 22-24 degrees Celsius.
• Under such conditions, the seedlings hatch in a few days.
• Further care consists in regular watering.
• After some time, around the beginning of June or at the end (for the northern regions), the resulting seedlings can be planted in open ground.

Stages of preparation before planting zinnia

Planting and caring for zinnia is not difficult, but the planting process itself must be carefully prepared. If you have not grown seedlings yourself, you need to purchase it. It is also important to choose a suitable landing site on your site. Consider the entire preparation process in more detail.

Stage 1. Selection of planting material

• First of all, you need to decide whether you will grow seedlings on your own or purchase them in specialized stores.
• If you like to grow seedlings at home, then it is easy to do this by following the plan described above.
• If you decide to buy ready-made zinnia seedlings in pots, then choose specialized stores or agricultural companies that breed plants for purchase.
• When buying seedlings in the store, give preference to single-planted plants. In addition, the seedlings should be strong and not too long.

When choosing planting material it is necessary to determine the specific variety. Only choose varieties of zinnias that do well in your area's climate. Do not take risks by purchasing exotic types and varieties of flowers.

Stage 2. Choosing a landing site

• First of all, you need to choose a bright and sunny place on your site, because zinnias are heat-loving plants.
• The chosen place should be protected from winds and drafts.
• You can pick up a site on a small hill, as zinnia prefers to grow in well-drained soils. And this means that the plant does not tolerate close occurrence. ground water and standing water at the roots.
• When choosing a site for planting zinnia, be guided by the garden composition you are planning. Tall zinnias can be planted singly or used for group plantings. They look great along buildings and fences. Smaller plants are suitable for planting in flower beds in combination with other flowers. Dwarf zinnias can also be planted on balconies in pots or used as ground cover plants.

Stage 3. Selection and preparation of soil for planting

• Zinnia prefers to grow in nutritious and fertile soils.
• It is also important that the soil is well drained.
• Give preference to soil with a neutral reaction.
• The selected site must be carefully prepared before planting. To do this, you need to dig up the area by one bayonet of a shovel, by about 40-45 cm. Thus, you remove weeds and saturate the substrate with air.
• When digging the soil, add leafy humus or compost to it.
• If possible, you can prepare the site for planting in the fall.

Technology for planting zinnia in open ground

• The best time to plant zinnia seedlings is in May, when the threat of a return frost has passed. Zinnia does not tolerate even a slight frost of minus 1 degree.
• The area prepared in the fall must be slightly loosened again.
• Next, you need to prepare small holes for planting zinnia.
• Zinnias need space to actively grow, so you should respect the distance between plants. For undersized zinnias, this is 10-15 cm, for medium-sized ones - 20 cm, for tall varieties - 20-30 cm between plants and 35-40 cm between rows.
• If you grew seedlings yourself in peat pots, seedlings can be planted directly with them. Otherwise, carefully remove the seedlings without shaking the soil from the roots.
• If the site you have chosen is in the lowland part, then it is better to provide the plants with good drainage. At the bottom of the holes, you can pour clean river sand.
• Gently place the seedlings in the holes and sprinkle with soil.
• To prevent excessive evaporation of moisture, the soil around the seedlings can be mulched with dry peat.

Agrotechnics for growing zinnia: the secrets and nuances of care

Zinnias do not require special care, however, if you want to get lush and profusely flowering plants on your site, you need to periodically pay attention to the flower. Zinnia care consists in periodic watering, loosening, top dressing.

Watering zinnias

Zinnia refers to plants that cannot tolerate excessive soil moisture. From this, its root system can begin to rot and eventually die. For this flower better disadvantage moisture than excess. Watering needs regular and moderate. It is also important to know that it is recommended to water zinnias under the root, trying not to get on the flowers. If moisture gets inside the inflorescences, they can begin to rot.

Loosening and mulching

Periodically, the soil around the plant must be loosened, at the same time removing all weeds. You need to loosen very carefully so as not to damage the stems of the plant. Usually this process is carried out after watering to loosen the soil and make it lighter. To reduce the amount of loosening and reduce the number of weeds, the soil around the plants can be mulched. For this, it is recommended to use dry peat.

Top dressing zinnia

For stronger growth and lush flowering zinnia must be fertilized throughout the entire growth period. The first feeding should be carried out even during the cultivation of seedlings (if you do it yourself). As a fertilizer during this period, it is necessary to use mineral fertilizers, while keeping in mind that the level of nitrogen fertilizers should be reduced in it.

In the future, zinnias are fertilized two more times during the entire growing season. The first time fertilization should be carried out 3-4 weeks after planting in the ground. As fertilizers, you can use a solution of manure or complex mineral fertilizers. The second time the plant is fertilized during the formation of flower buds.

Pinching and trimming

You need to pinch zinnia if you want to get a beautiful branching plant. Some begin to pinch even at the stage of growing seedlings after the appearance of the fifth leaf. However, it is quite possible to do this after landing. But if you're growing cut zinnia, especially the taller varieties, you don't need to pinch the plant.

As such, pruning zinnia is not needed. However, if you remove permanently withered buds, then your plant will bloom even more abundantly.

Disease and pest control

Like any other plant, zinnia is subject to the appearance various diseases and pest infestation.

Zinnia pests:

• Slugs and snails. These pests are best collected by hand. To facilitate this process, you can spread out the pieces of roofing material, under which they will climb.
• May beetles. Such pests are also collected by hand.
• Aphid. To combat this pest of zinnia, it is necessary to use a solution of tar soap. If the number of aphids is significant, use special preparations, for example, fufanon.

Plant diseases:

• Spotting. This disease is one of the most serious, as there is no cure for it. If you notice signs, then the affected areas must be removed. With a large infection, the entire plant is removed.
• Gray rot. To treat this disease, special fungicide preparations are used, for example, Fundazol.
• Powdery mildew. This disease is considered the most common for this plant. Appears as white spots. For its treatment, fungicides are used, for example, Topaz.

Collection of zinnia seeds

The seeds of this plant ripen two months after the start of flowering. Let's figure out how to collect seeds from zinnia. Initially, select the first blooming zinnia flowers. After the inflorescences turn brown, they need to be cut and slightly dried. Next, carefully dry the seeds and place them in a paper bag for storage. Zinnia seeds are suitable for sowing for 4 years.

The use of zinnia in landscape design

• Zinnias look great in various garden compositions. For example, these flowers can be planted in various flowerbeds and mixborders in the background.
• Zinnias of tall varieties look great against the background of lawns and garden trees.
• You can plant these plants along outbuildings, between the beds in the garden.
• More undersized varieties zinnias can be planted along garden paths or along the edge of flower beds.
• Alternatively, they can be grown in containers and pots.

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Majors, they are zinnias, decorate the flower bed with bright beautiful flowers throughout the summer season. Zinnias, planting and care in the open field for which is not difficult, are grown by seeds and seedlings. Annual flowers after flowering give good seeds, collecting which they get excellent planting material for next year. To get large inflorescences and lush bushes, amateur gardeners use several rules for the care and cultivation of these plants.

Where to break a flower bed for zinnias

Proper cultivation of zinnia in open ground is impossible without good place under landing. Plant loves sunlight and warm, so an open place is chosen for it.

It is important that large trees do not grow in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe flower bed, giving abundant shade.

Signs of a suitable place for a flower bed:

• the earth is loose and fertile;
• the place is well ventilated, but not drafty;
• the earth is well lit by the sun;
• the soil passes water well without retaining it.

Water should not stagnate in the soil, otherwise the roots of the plants will rot.

If the soil is too dense, sand or turf is added to it. This will improve the drainage properties of the soil.

Landing time

To correctly determine the time when to plant zinnias in open ground, they are guided by weather conditions. If the nights are cold, and there are frosts on the soil, it is worth waiting. If the soil warms up well and the temperature does not drop below zero, flowers can be planted. Depending on the method of planting, choose the most suitable month. For example, for planting seeds in open ground, the end of April is chosen. If ready-made seedlings are planted in the ground, a fine day is chosen in mid-May.

How to plant zinnia seeds in the ground

The method of planting zinnia in the ground with seeds is more suitable for the southern regions of Russia. The climatic conditions of the regions contribute to the rapid heating of the soil. In order for the seeds to give strong shoots on time, flower growers use the following planting algorithm:

• seeds 5 days before planting are wrapped in a warm cloth soaked in a solution of epin for germination;
• for a flower bed choose a well-lit place;
• prepare the soil - loosen, apply fertilizers (superphosphate) and sand to improve drainage properties;
• determine the planting pattern, most often the seeds are sown in a figured way (in the form of a circle, heart, chamomile);
• on the day of planting, all weeds and stones are removed from the flower bed;
• grooves are made in the soil and the hatched seeds are planted.

The groove for majors should be made 4 cm deep, and the seeds should be placed at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Majors grow in this case larger and bushier. If the seeds are too close in a row, the flowers will be smaller and weaker.

Prepared seeds germinate well. If they are not germinated in advance, half of the planting material may not germinate. After planting, the flower bed is watered through a sprayer so as not to clog the soil. The next watering is done after the appearance of sprouts.

Planting zinnia seedlings

The second way is to plant zinnia in the ground in the spring with seedlings. This method is suitable for any region, as it gives a guaranteed result. Seedlings are grown in advance and planted when a good temperature regime. The algorithm of actions is the same as for planting seeds. The difference is that the seedlings are placed at a distance of 35 - 40 cm from each other, deepening by 5 - 6 cm. After planting, the seedlings are well watered.

When transplanting young plants into a flower bed, do not damage the roots and shoots. If the plant was in a peat pot, then it does not need to be taken out - it is better to plant it directly in the pot.

When the planting of zinnia in open ground is completed, the flowers are cared for - watered abundantly, weeds are removed and fertilizers are applied.

How to care for zinnia

Care for grown seedlings of majors consists of five procedures:

• abundant watering;
• loosening dried soil;
• weed removal;
• pinching shoots;
• fertilization.

In order for planting and caring for zinnia in the open field to give a good result, the flower bed is well watered. Instead of frequent surface irrigation, plants provide regular and plentiful. So they have time to be well saturated with moisture, while the earth has time to dry out between waterings, which prevents the roots from rotting.

Flowers should be watered at the root. If water gets into the axils of the shoots, they will begin to rot. If water gets on the buds, they will lose their aesthetic appearance.

The soil between the flowers turns into a dense crust. This happens regularly after good watering when the earth dries up and hardens. The resulting crust does not let air through to the roots of plants, which is why they develop worse. Therefore, between waterings, the soil is loosened, providing the root system with air access.

Weeds need to be removed regularly only while the majors have not bloomed. Small plants are not able to absorb everything nutrients and moisture from the soil if weeds grow nearby. It takes away nutrients, grows quickly and oppresses flowers. But once the zinnias have grown, they are not afraid of weeds.

So that zinnias, planting, care and flowering in the open field of which are important for the gardener, grow in a lush bush. their tops need to be cut off. If the goal is to grow a large flower on a long stem, cut off the side shoots, and do not pinch the top one.

Feeding is necessary only if the flowerbed with majors does not bloom for a long time or has a depressing appearance - yellow leaves, sluggish shoots. It is better to take liquid formulations with an antifungal effect. Suitable, for example, "Gumat" or "Gumax".

Collection and storage of seeds

Planting zinnia and leaving in the open ground before winter differs from ordinary care by collecting seeds and preparing the beds for the new season. The ripening of the seed box lasts quite a long time - 50-60 days from the moment of flowering. If, during the period of plant care, flower growers cut wilted flower heads, then during the period of seed harvesting, seed pods of strong and large plants are preserved. They can be cut off only when they are fully ripe.

Seeds are best collected from the top large flower. It is cut with scissors after aging and dried. After the seeds are crushed into an envelope, signed and stored over the winter.

Zinnias are the main decoration of the flower bed. If properly cared for, they look like royalty, bloom profusely and grow quickly to the delight of the grower.

Video about planting zinnia seeds in open ground

Bright terry and semi-double baskets of flowers of various colors instantly captivate the hearts of flower growers. Perennial zinnia, the cultivation and care of which does not take much effort in the open field, is drought tolerant plant with a long flowering period. Among the people, zinnias are known as majors.

Growing zinnia perennial from seeds

In culture, it is possible to grow only 4 varieties of zinnia out of more than 20 known - elegant, narrow-leaved. thin-flowered and linearis. Perennial representatives, similarly to annuals, reproduce in a generative way. In regions with mild climatic conditions without the threat of return frosts, seeds can be sown directly in the garden. However, according to experts and experienced flower growers, it is better to grow zinnia from seeds using the seedling method.

Sowing seeds in the ground

In order to definitely eliminate the risks during sowing associated with night frosts, sowing work is carried out in late May-early June.

In doing so, the steps are taken as follows:

1. A week before the planned sowing, the seeds are wrapped in a cloth impregnated with a growth stimulator.
2. The germinated seed is sown in holes, the depth of which does not exceed 4 cm, in a pre-prepared area and with an interval of 20 cm.
3. After half a month, the first shoots hatch.

Planting seeds for seedlings

Due to the intolerance of young zinnia plants to frost - a temperature of -1 ° C will destroy seedlings - seedling method flower cultivation is the most productive.

To do this, at the end of March:

1. Seed is wrapped in stimulator-soaked germination gauze to avoid planting non-germinating seeds.
2. Hatching seeds of 2-3 pieces are sown in pots filled with peat to a depth of 1 cm.
3. The containers are moistened and moved to a room with good lighting.
4. At temperatures between 22-24°C, the first sprouts appear after a few days.
5. The root system of young seedlings is formed at a rapid pace, so when the seedlings are pulled into pots, soil is added.
6. Before planting in open ground, seedlings are hardened by moving them in the daytime to Fresh air.

Important! Since zinnia has a poor tolerance for picking, sowing seeds for seedlings is not carried out too densely.

Planting zinnia in open ground

Before proceeding with the preparation of seed or forcing seedlings, it is necessary to study all the preferences of zinnia: soil composition, lighting, temperature. Only if all agrotechnical requirements are observed, flower growers will receive the desired result in the form of lushly flowering zinnias of marvelous beauty.

Site selection and soil preparation

Choosing a site for growing zinnias is a fairly simple task: a drought-resistant plant can be cultivated even in those areas where moisture access is limited. Majors can grow singly, while getting along well with their neighbors in the form of other flower crops. The most optimal place will be sunny areas, protected from the wind, which can damage the decorativeness of the flower.

Majors, easily enduring drought, have a negative attitude towards high level occurrence of groundwater and waterlogging of the soil. To avoid root scorching, the soil is drained with expanded clay and sand. The soil for successful cultivation must be fertile or enriched in advance nutrients: during autumn digging, 8-10 kg of compost per 1 m2 is applied to the selected area, and complex mineral fertilizers in spring. Zinnia will also be grateful for the preparation of a special loose substrate from leafy soil, sand and humus.

How and when to plant zinnia?

If sowing seeds directly into the soil described above is carried out in late spring or early summer, then the time for planting seedlings also falls at this time.

1. The site prepared in the fall is cleared of weeds.
2. Hardened seedlings are planted by transshipment or in peat pots at a distance of 30-35 cm between specimens so that the plants have enough space to grow green mass.

Attention! If all the actions were performed correctly, at the height of summer the grower will be pleased with the first flowers.

Perennial zinnia: outdoor care

Despite the unpretentiousness of the aster representative, zinnia needs comprehensive and systematic care involving a number of activities.

Watering and loosening

The culture does not require frequent watering. In this case, the frequency of humidification should be replaced by a large volume of water. When watering, you should minimize the possibility of water getting on the peduncle, which can provoke the process of decay. If, for reasons beyond the control of the grower, for example, due to rain, the inflorescences are still affected, they should be removed to prevent the development of rot. After drying, the soil is loosened so that a crust does not form, which has a negative effect on the ability of zinnia to form flowers.

Attention! A lack of moisture for a long period can also affect the state of the plant: small flowers are formed, the tips of which dry out during flowering.

top dressing

When the majors are in a depressed state, which is confirmed by inferior development, yellowing of the green mass, the plant is fed with complex mineral fertilizers in the form of nitroammophoska, superphosphate and potassium sulfate with the application rate of one tablespoon of each per 1 m2. In specialized stores, you can purchase liquid complexes that are used for irrigation at the concentration indicated on the package, providing the necessary growth, splendor and duration of flowering, as well as resistance to the development of diseases.

How to pinch zinnia?

Zinnia is pinched only when the grower wants to get a bushy plant. The procedure is carried out at the stage of development of the fourth pair of true leaves.

Features of winter care

Zinnia due to intolerance to cold weather conditions in the open field is cultivated as an annual plant. But when planting it in a container, it is possible to transfer the flower to a warm room and grow it in room conditions as a perennial culture.

How to collect seeds?

When self-collecting seeds, it should be borne in mind that seeds from first-order shoots have the highest sowing qualities.

To collect seeds correctly, you must follow the basic recommendations:

1. For the selected specimens, only first-order shoots are left.
2. Plants for harvesting seeds have the beginning of flowering, which serves as a starting point for counting the two-month period during which the seeds ripen.
3. When the baskets turn brown, they separate, dry and peel.
4. The resulting seeds are stored in a place without temperature changes for three years, keeping all sowing qualities.

Diseases and pests of zinnia

Zinnia, along with others flower crops, affected by diseases and pests.

Diseases

Majors are affected by fungal and bacterial diseases, among which the most dangerous are:

• bacterial spotting;
• fusarium;
• gray rot;
• powdery mildew.

With manifestations of spotting, the affected parts are subject to immediate destruction, and with strong development, the entire plant is eliminated: the disease, due to its bacterial nature, cannot be treated. Fungal diseases are treated with a double treatment of plantings with a fungicidal preparation with a time interval of 10-14 days, depending on the period of drug toxicity.

Advice! If a disease occurs, you should find out the cause, most often hidden in violations of the care regulations, in order to avoid such mistakes later.

Pests

The most common crop pests are:

• aphids - to protect the plant from colonization by these insects, a soapy solution or spraying with an insecticidal preparation is used;
• slugs - gastropod pests require mechanical destruction.
• May beetles - hand-picked and dumped into a bucket of soapy water.

Thus, if you know the nuances of growing zinnia and correctly carry out care measures, the grower will certainly be rewarded with beautiful and lush flowers.

planting ❀ growing ❀ care

Zinnia (Zinnia) belongs to the genus of herbaceous and shrubby perennials of the Asteraceae family. Today, about twenty species are known, many varieties and hybrids of this beautiful flower, characterized by beauty and undemanding to growing conditions. Depending on the type and variety, the height of zinnia can be from 20 to 100 cm and above. The leaves of the plant are entire, sessile, ovate, pointed to the top, pubescent with hard hairs, whorled or opposite. Inflorescences are apical single baskets with a diameter of three to fourteen centimeters, located on long peduncles. Reed flowers of zinnia, tiled in one or more rows, white, purple, orange, yellow, red - all possible colors except shades of blue; middle, tubular flowers - small, yellow or red-brown. The fruit is an achene with a tuft. Zinnia blooms from mid-June until frost, being resistant to heat and drought. In our climate, zinnia is an exclusively annual plant, since it is not able to survive even short and slight frosts.

Growing zinnia from seeds

Sowing zinnia. The perennial zinnia, like the annual, reproduces generatively. In places with a warm climate, where there are no frosts in May, planting zinnia directly into the ground is possible, but if night frosts are a common occurrence in your area, know that zinnia seeds sown in the ground will die already at a temperature of -1 ºC. That is why experienced flower growers believe that it is better to grow and harden this plant as seedlings, and then planting zinnia in the ground with subsequent rooting will be successful. Before sowing, wrap zinnia seeds in a cloth or gauze soaked in epin to identify which ones are viable and which are not. Fresh seeds hatch in a couple of days, and old seeds will take a week to sprout. At the end of March or the beginning of April, germinating seeds of two or three pieces are spaciously sown to a depth of one centimeter in peat pots with a wet substrate, which will subsequently avoid picking, which this culture does not like. Sowing is moistened and placed in a bright place. The optimum temperature for zinnia germination is 22-24ºC. If you do everything right, sprouts will appear in a few days.

Zinnia seedling. Young plants quickly form adventitious roots, and if the zinnia seedlings are stretched out, just add some soil to the pots. My zinnias did not stretch out very well, but a friend complained that she put the crops in partial shade, and the seedlings turned into painful translucent sprouts, so remember that zinnia seedlings require bright diffused light. With a sparse sowing of seeds, you do not have to dive seedlings, especially since zinnia does not tolerate picking. At the end of May, in order for the planting of zinnia to be successful, the seedlings begin to harden, taking it out for a while in the fresh air during the day.

Planting zinnia in open ground

When to plant zinnias in the ground. Planting zinnia in the ground is carried out in the second half of May, towards the end of the month, when the danger of return frosts has passed. The plant prefers light areas, protected from the wind, with neutral, well-drained nutrient soil. Before planting zinnia, the intended area is cleared of weeds by digging the soil to a depth of 45 centimeters and adding leafy humus, compost or rotted manure to it when digging at the rate of 8-10 kg per m², and it is better to do this in the fall.

How to plant zinnias. Zinnia flowers are planted at a distance of 30-35 cm of one specimen from another by transshipment or together with a peat pot. You will see the flowering of zinnia in early July.

Zinnia outdoor care

If the planting of zinnia was successful, you can talk about caring for it, which consists in regularly loosening the soil, weeding weeds and infrequent but plentiful watering under the root so that water does not fall on the flowers. When zinnia begins to bloom, remove wilted flowers in time. Powerful stalks of zinnia do not need tying and props.

Zinnia fertilizer. From the moment of emergence of seedlings and until the time when zinnia is planted in the ground, the seedlings are fed with mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content three times. A plant planted in the ground is fertilized with mineral fertilizers or liquid manure at least twice during the summer: the first time a month after planting, and the second - during the budding period. That's all the trouble. As you can see, planting and caring for zinnia is not burdensome at all.

How to pinch zinnia. If you want the zinnia to bush, you need to pinch it over the third or fourth pair of leaves while still in seedlings, although you can do this when the zinnias in the open field have already taken root and take root. But if you want to grow elegant cut flowers on long peduncles, you don't need to pinch the zinnia.

Zinnia - diseases and pests

Zinnia pests. Of the pests of zinnia, aphids, May beetles, snails and slugs are most often bothered. Gastropods are usually lured to bowls of beer placed here and there around the site, or pieces of slate or roofing material scattered between plants, under which mollusks like to crawl. You will have to collect them manually. May bugs will also have to be collected by hand and dumped into a bucket of soapy water. Aphids are destroyed by spraying zinnias with a solution of tar soap at the rate of 10 g per liter of water, and in case of severe infection, with a solution of Fufanon or Actellik, prepared in accordance with the instructions.

Diseases of zinnia. Of the diseases, it is possible to infect zinnia with gray rot, fusarium, bacterial spot, but most often with powdery mildew. If at least one leaf of zinnia is disfigured with gray-brown spots round shape, left on the plant by bacterial spotting, take immediate action: tear off the leaves that have traces of the disease, and in case of severe infection, destroy the entire plant - there is no cure for this disease. Gray rot and fusarium are treated with fungicides (Topsin-M, Fundazol), as is powdery mildew, which manifests itself as a white coating on the ground parts of zinnia - Topaz, Skor, Topsin are more suitable to get rid of this scourge of fungicides. I must say that diseases occur primarily due to violations of the rules for growing a plant, for example, due to too dense planting or excessive watering, so first diagnose the problem of zinnia, eliminate it if possible, and then do the work on the mistakes - re-read plant care rules, find and analyze the discrepancy between them and how things really are. This is the only way to avoid trouble in the future.

Types and varieties of zinnia

Of the more than twenty species of zinnia, only four are grown in culture: elegant zinnia, narrow-leaved zinnia, aka Hage zinnia, fine-flowered zinnia and linearis zinnia. The first two species served as the basis for a fruitful breeding work, and, thanks to its results, today we cultivate in gardens not only the main types of zinnia, but also many excellent varieties and hybrids of this plant.

Zinnia graceful (Zinnia elegans)

Herbaceous annual up to 1 meter high and above with simple white, orange and pink inflorescences. The stem is straight, for the most part not branched, rounded in cross section, densely pubescent with hard hairs, all shoots end in apical inflorescences-baskets. The leaves are sessile, entire, ovate, with a pointed apex, 5-7 cm long and 3-4.5 cm wide, the leaf surface is pubescent, like the stem. Inflorescences with a diameter of 5 to 16 cm, simple, semi-double and double, consist of reed flowers up to 4 cm long and up to 1.5 cm wide, painted in various colors, except for shades of blue, and median, tubular flowers of yellow or reddish-brown color . Zinnia graceful blooms in June and can bloom until the very cold. In nature, it is most common in southern Mexico. In culture since 1796. Varieties and hybrids of elegant zinnia are classified according to several criteria: according to the structure of the inflorescences, according to their shape, according to the height of the stem and according to the timing of flowering. In our climate, the following types of graceful zinnia are most often grown:

✿ Zinnia dahlia- powerful bushes, sprawling or compact, from 60 to 90 cm high with shoots of the first order. The leaves are large - up to 12 cm long, inflorescences hemispherical, double, up to 14 cm in diameter. Popular varieties: "Violet" - terry zinnia 60-75 cm tall with dense inflorescences of different shades of purple, "Orange koenig" - bright red-orange terry inflorescences up to 14 cm in diameter on stems 60 to 70 cm high, Polar Bear - compact plant up to 65 cm high with dense white inflorescences with a greenish sheen.

✿ Zinnia midget, or pompom zinnia is a compact branched bushes no higher than 55 cm with a large number of shoots of the second, third and fourth order, small leaves and small, only up to 5 cm in diameter, inflorescences resembling a pompom on a cap. Popular varieties: "Little Red Riding Hood" - a dense variety up to 55 cm high with truncated-cone-shaped or rounded inflorescences of a bright red hue; "Tom Thumb" - a compact bush up to 45 cm in height with dense double red inflorescences in the form of a slightly flattened ball; "Tambelina" is a variety mixture of different shades with a bush height of up to 45 cm and an inflorescence diameter of 4 to 6 cm.

✿ Zinnia fantasy- almost spherical compact bushes 50-65 cm high with large leaves and loose curly inflorescences, in which narrow reed flowers are folded into tubules and bent in different directions, and at the ends some of them are bifurcated. Popular varieties: "Fantasy" - a bush up to 60 cm high with terry loose inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter of different shades - purple, red, bright yellow, purple, red-orange, pink, white, salmon, etc .; "Gift" - bright red zinnia.

Zinnia Haage (Zinnia haageana)

Another name for narrow-leaved zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia). This is an annual upright plant that forms branched bushes. Leaves sessile, lanceolate or elongated, pointed. Inflorescences are small, simple or double, bright orange. Popular varieties: "Glorienshine" - a highly branched bush up to 25 cm tall with double inflorescences, in which reed flowers are dark orange at the base and red-brown at the ends; 'Persian Carpet Mixed' series with semi-double bicolor buds of red with lemon, white, orange and yellow - a large array of this zinnia really looks like an oriental carpet. The English variety mixtures "Starbright" and "Classic" also gained fame - plants with inflorescences of white, yellow and orange tones up to 30 cm in height with a thin and weak, but strongly branching creeping stem. These zinnias for the most part used as ground cover plants. Zinnias of the Sombrero variety look pretty on the flowerbed - inflorescences of a red-brown hue with an orange border.

Thin-flowered zinnia (Zinnia tenuiflora)

it is usually used to create landscape flower beds and is a bush about 60 cm high with cranked thin stems of a reddish hue. Inflorescences are small, up to 3 cm in diameter, reed flowers are narrow, bent, with twisted tips, purple hue. Popular variety: "Red Spider".

Zinnia linearis (Zinnia linearis)

This is the smallest of the cultivated species - branching, almost spherical bushes grow no higher than 35 cm. Linearis inflorescences are small, reed flowers yellow color with an orange edge. Zinnia linearis is suitable for growing in pots, in balcony containers, on Alpine rollercoaster and small flower beds. Popular varieties: "Golden Eye" - a white middle of tubular flowers, reed flowers white color, similar to ordinary chamomile; "Caramel" - the color of the reed flowers is caramel yellow, the middle is black; "Yellow Star" - a variety with yellow inflorescences.

From crossing zinnia Haage and zinnia graceful, many hybrids were bred, in particular, the Profusion series, which is very popular among flower growers, is low bushes up to 35 cm strewn with small multi-colored daisies. The Magellan series is also gaining popularity - bushes up to 35 cm tall with densely double dahlia-shaped inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter of coral, cream, orange, pink, red, cherry, salmon and yellow colors. The Swizzle series has recently appeared in the gardens, so far consisting of two varieties - Cherry Ivory with cherry baskets with cream-tipped reed flowers and Scarlett Yellow with red buds and bright yellow tips.

Not only chrysanthemums and asters are worthy representatives of the vast Astrov family, deserving frequent planting on suburban area. Zinnias are less famous, but by no means less attractive in terms of aesthetics and ease of care. A flower can grow even in an apartment, if given big pot where there will be no one but him. But it is better to arrange zinnia in a flower bed, where she can sit for several years.

Zinnia: growing from seeds at home

AT middle lane it is most reasonable to grow zinnia from seeds for seedlings, since the flower is very thermophilic, and the seeds will not hatch in cold ground. In the early stages, only residents of the southern regions can afford to work with a flower in the open field, if spring comes early. At the same time, the timing of sowing varies each time depending on weather conditions. It is noteworthy that zinnia begins to bloom already in the middle of the 3rd month of its life, so even if you delay the sowing and think about it only in May, by August medium-sized buds will bloom in the flower bed.

Zinnia seeds are large, their germination rate has a high percentage of probability, as a result of which they are lowered into the ground one by one, deepening by 1-1.5 cm, keeping a distance of 3-5 cm if a common box is selected. But it is best to sow zinnia immediately in separate pots: for example, peat. Peat tablets can also be used for the same purpose: you do not have to unravel the roots of seedlings when picking, and the process of transplanting into open ground will be easier, and the likelihood of damage to the root system will significantly decrease. The term for sowing zinnia for seedlings is mid-March or early April. But if the spring dragged on, you can move these dates to the end of April. This is due to the fact that seedlings are pulled out very quickly, and it is unreasonable to keep them in limited containers, which will negatively affect their further development, adaptation to open ground and flowering.

The soil for zinnia seeds is not much different from what is selected for other ornamental flowering plants: garden soil peat is necessarily added, as well as a little sand, which will contribute to good air exchange. Peat in relation to the land can have a 1: 1 ratio - seedlings will approve of this. But an adult plant will have to make the amount of peat smaller. If necessary, a little compost is added, although mineral fertilizers, which some flower growers add to the soil when sowing zinnia, can also play its role. However, even without this step, the seeds hatch very quickly, and by the end of the 1st week, green sprouts appear above the ground. But it is imperative to moisten the soil after sowing, as well as tighten it with a film in which several small holes are made with a needle. Too high humidity seedlings of zinnia also do not taste, and instead of airing it every 3-4 hours, it is wiser to do natural air exchange.

The film is removed when shoots appear, i.e. 6-7 days after sowing. However, it is advisable to keep cups or a box with seedlings for another 4-5 days in a shaded place, and only at the end of the 2nd week bring it closer to the window. If you sowed zinnias in a single container, they will need to be planted after the seedlings stretch 8-10 cm in height. At the same time, they need to be deepened by 1.5-2 cm. And if the picking is not performed (the seedlings sit in single pots), then simply spud each plant, creating a small mound at the stem. This is necessary for the appearance of adventitious shoots.

At the same time, it is required to carry out the initial pinching, removing the shoots on the main root at a level of 2 cm. In the future, pinching and pruning will be done often enough so that the zinnia bushes well: the wider it is, the more attractive the plant looks. And, also, more abundant flowering. Often at the same stage (age 12-14 days), young zinnia bushes are taken out to the balcony or placed on the windowsill, where a window is often opened for ventilation. Most importantly, take care of closed door so as not to create a draft that is detrimental to seedlings. The hardening procedure usually lasts 28-30 days, after which zinnias are planted in open ground. The total waiting period before transplanting a flower should not exceed 35 days from the date of sowing.

If you wish, you can leave zinnia in the apartment, but you will need to pick up a large (at least 30 cm) pot in diameter, since the plant loves space. But the depth of the tank does not play a role. Comfortable climatic conditions, up to protection from the winter cold, are also much easier to create indoors than in a summer cottage, which has a positive effect on the life of zinnia.

Zinnias: planting and care in the open field

If you wish, you can start growing zinnia immediately in the open field, however, it will be sown in May, when the earth warms up. For the southern regions, this may be the end of April, for the Urals and Siberia - mid-May. Beforehand, it is worth soaking the seeds in Epin's solution to increase their resistance to possible light night frosts. Zinnias do not need growth stimulants - the plant already hatches very quickly (after 7-10 days) and gains strength. And yet, such a move cannot but affect the timing of the beginning of flowering: zinnias sown in their summer cottage bloom only in the middle of summer. If you want to see the buds bloom earlier, sow zinnia in a greenhouse or greenhouse. However, after that you will have to dive and transfer it to a flower bed.

In open ground, the seeds usually go deeper than when working with containers - by 4-5 cm, and up to 3 seeds can be planted in the nest at once. Here they will have enough free space, and picking is not required, but several bushes form a more lush and attractive flower. But between the nests, you still need to keep a distance of 30-35 cm, the same applies if you want to plant seedlings.

Depending on what weather conditions prevail at the time of sowing, the need for additional seedling protection appears or disappears. If there is a risk of night cold, it is advisable to cover each well in the evening with a kind of cap made of plastic bottle or cardboard box where several holes for air exchange are punched. Within 4-5 days after sowing, you can not even remove the cap during the day, but then its material must be transparent, otherwise the seedlings will be in the shade and will not rise as quickly as expected.

When to plant zinnias in open ground if they were sown at home in containers? The term is the same as for sowing a flower: the beginning or middle of May (15-17 numbers), if there are no frosts. Zinnia will survive temperatures drop to 4 degrees at night, but young seedlings do not want to get into more uncomfortable conditions. If it so happened that you planted zinnia in the country, and weather forecasters promised a cold night, you need to either wrap the bushes in turn with covering material, or use it to create a greenhouse over the flower bed.

Outdoor zinnia care begins with correct selection area where it will grow. You need a sunny place, almost no shade, and also not occupied by other flowers large sizes. Zinnia can be adjacent to ground cover plants, but it is better to plant it singly, filling the remaining space with lawn grass. Placing bushes near walls and buildings is also not recommended - the slightest shading affects the abundance of flowering and the brightness of the petals.

However, the chemical composition of the soil will also affect the shade of foliage and flowers: zinnia is very responsive to fertilizers, which should be applied before planting, before flowering, and in the middle of this period. You can resort to simple compost, you can buy special mineral fertilizers, and most professionals tend to need to combine them. It is proved that the brightest foliage and large flowers are in zinnia growing on fertile, rich land.

As for watering, its abundance is much more attractive for zinnia than a drought, albeit a short one. Excess water can be compensated by loosening the substrate, as well as adding a small amount of sand and drainage mixture to the bottom of the hole. Moisture deficiency leads to the fact that the lower leaves of zinnia dry out, and the flowers become smaller, and their number on the bush is reduced.

Planting zinnia and caring for it in the open ground is within the power of every gardener: the seeds are unpretentious and have a high degree of germination, seedlings develop rapidly, young bushes with good lighting and frequent watering remain attractive until the very cold. And in order for zinnia to bloom as long as possible, it is necessary to constantly remove drying inflorescences.

Zinnia (Zinnia) belongs to the genus of herbaceous and shrubby perennials of the Asteraceae family. Today, about twenty species are known, many varieties and hybrids of this beautiful flower, which is distinguished by its beauty and undemanding to growing conditions. Depending on the type and variety, the height of zinnia can be from 20 to 100 cm and above. The leaves of the plant are entire, sessile, ovate, pointed to the top, pubescent with hard hairs, whorled or opposite.

Zinnia inflorescences are apical single baskets with a diameter of three to fourteen centimeters, located on long peduncles. Reed flowers of zinnia, tiled in one or more rows, white, purple, orange, yellow, red - all possible colors except shades of blue; middle, tubular flowers - small, yellow or red-brown. The fruit is an achene with a tuft. Zinnia blooms from mid-June until frost, being resistant to heat and drought. In our climate, zinnia is an exclusively annual plant, since it is not able to survive even short and slight frosts.

The genus Zinnia belongs to the Asteraceae family and includes about 20 species. Its representatives are mainly perennial herbs or shrubs that grow in southern North America.

Plant sizes range from 20 cm to 1 m, the foliage is predominantly whole, sessile, oblong, rounded, covered with hard down, opposite or whorled. The flowers are apical, form inflorescences-baskets, the size and color of which depend on the species. Plants are distinguished by long flowering from the beginning of summer until autumn cooling.

Although it is a perennial, due to the climatic conditions in our belt, it is grown as an annual plant. Also often used as a border crop.

Varieties and types

Among the two dozen species, only four are cultivated.

Herbaceous plant, the height of which can exceed 1 m. It has a straight shoot that branches poorly, the foliage is sessile, oval, the flowers are white, orange or pink in color, they can be simple or double.

This species has become the material for creating many varieties and hybrid forms, which are classified according to flowering time, bush height and flower structure.

According to the timing of flowering, they are divided into early, medium and late flowering zinnias. The structure of flowers can be simple, semi-double and double.

Among the three forms, varieties with double flowers are grown more often than others:

• Carousel ,

• Persian rug .

For the height of the shoots allocate: high grades- about 80 cm, medium - 40 cm and dwarf or undersized - about 20 cm. There are 7 varieties that differ in the shape of the inflorescence, but in our weather conditions only 3 of them are grown.

- large bushes up to 1 m tall, the foliage is also large, ball-shaped inflorescences, terry.

Popular varieties:

• polar bear ,

• Violet .

Or midget - small bushes, rarely growing above half a meter. It has small foliage, inflorescences, according to the name of the pompon form.

Varieties:

• Tom pedestals ,

• Tambelina .

Bushes shaped like a ball, has large foliage and loose flowers with petals that curl and bend in different directions.

Often grown varieties:

• Dreamland ,

• Gift for Mom .

In other countries with warmer climates, forms are also grown:

• cactus ,

• Scabiosotsvetnaya .

But they are not suitable for us.

Or haage plants with straight, branching stems. The foliage is sessile, lanceolate or oblong. The flowers are small, can be double or simple, orange in color, but in varietal forms it may differ.

It is a beautiful shrub, a little over 50 cm, which is often used in landscape flower beds. The flowers are small, reed, purple in color.

It looks like dwarf forms of Angustifolia, which is why they are often confused. The smallest of the cultivated species - its height is usually no more than 30 cm. It has small yellow inflorescences with an orange edge. Well suited for growing in pots and rock gardens.

Hybrids are also quite popular as they combine the characteristics of two species. Popular series of varieties:

• Magellan ,

• swizzle .

Zinnia growing from seeds

Since this plant is grown as an annual in our belt, the only form of reproduction is generative seed reproduction.

In the southern regions, where there are no frosts in May, seeds can be sown directly into the ground. If it is likely that the night temperature drops to at least zero, then sowing in open soil cannot be done, since the seeds will die.

For seedling cultivation in the middle of spring, seeds are deepened by a couple of pieces by 1 cm into peat pots, this is done so that in the future the seedlings do not have to be injured by diving. The sown material is placed in a place with strong diffused lighting and from time to time the soil in pots is moistened, the germination temperature is about 23 ° C. The first sprouts, as a rule, appear quickly - in about 3-7 days.

Young sprouts with a lack of lighting quickly stretch out. If this happens, then add some soil to the pots and normalize the level of light.

In early May, they begin the procedures for hardening the flowers. At this time, they begin to take them out for a couple of hours a day to fresh air, so that they get used to the new conditions.

Cineraria is another member of the Astrov family, grown when planting and caring in the open field, can be used as a landscape design and for adding colors to the garden. You can find recommendations for growing and caring in this article.

Zinnia planting and care in the open field

Transplantation to a flower bed is carried out in mid-late May, depending on your climate. It is necessary to select bright places that are not blown by drafts. The composition of the soil does not play a big role, but it must have drainage and a neutral acidity.

In autumn, or at least a month before planting, the flower bed is cleaned of weeds and dug up with manure (9 kg per square meter). Copies are planted about 30 cm apart. Planting is carried out together with a peat pot or the transshipment method, although even it is traumatic for this flower.

Caring for this culture is not burdensome and requires a minimum of effort. From time to time, you need to weed the area shallowly to get rid of weeds. Watering is carried out rarely, but water is used a lot. When the inflorescences begin to fade, they are cut off so that they do not take away the strength of the plant.

If you want to achieve tillering, then even at the seedling stage, you will need to pinch the shoots over 4 pairs of leaves. If you want to grow flowers for cutting, then it is better not to pinch.

Fertilizer for zinnia

A month after planting, fertilizer should be carried out with a complete mineral top dressing. The same fertilizer is applied during the development of the buds.

Collection of zinnia seeds

Seed maturation lasts approximately two months from the beginning of flowering. You can collect material when the fruits turn brown. Baskets are cut off, dried and the seeds are removed from them, cleaning them from the remnants of the fetus.

Keep seeds dry and warm temperature by placing them in a paper bag. You need to sow zinnia seeds for three years, until they lose their germination.

Zinnia in winter

Since we cultivate zinnia in the garden as an annual, the plants are destroyed for the winter, and the flower bed is dug up.

Potted crops are cared for in winter like normal crops. houseplant, placing it in a room with good light and watering it from time to time as the soil dries.

Diseases and pests

Among the pests of zinnia, the most common are aphids, snails and May beetles.

Aphid settles the foliage and shoots of the plant with black clouds and feeds on its juices. To get rid of it, the plants are washed with soapy water or sprayed with infusion of citrus fruits or garlic.

For fight slugs lime or crushed lime is scattered over the site eggshell which will scare them away.

FROM May beetles as such, there are no methods of struggle - they will have to be manually collected and destroyed.

The disease most commonly affecting zinnia is powdery mildew . She manifests herself white fluffy bloom on foliage . This disease is treated with a solution of Bordeaux liquid or fungicides, for example, Topaz.

At rot the plant begins to weaken, it appears dark spots . Sick areas are cut off and treated with the same means as with powdery mildew.

Probably the most dangerous bacterial spot . Upon detection on the foliage of brown round spots cut it off immediately. And if the lesion further spreads, then the flower should be destroyed, since spotting cannot be cured.