Caring for Zinnia Flowers

Originally from Mexico, zinnias are annual flowering plants that are now found all over Latin America and southern United States, preferring to grow in dry landscapes. The light green leaves of the plant do not bear a stalk, and can be oval or linear. The flowers, arranged in a single row or rounded in shape, are borne on a long, thin stem, and come in all colors, ranging from red, orange, pink, lavender, yellow, and even chartreuse. With over 20 species, the most popularly cultivated variety is zinnia elegans. The plant can grow as tall as one meter, and has lanceolate leaves which are abrasive to touch. Being showy, they are ideal for growing in flowerbeds, in window boxes on window sills, and even hanging flower pots. The paragraphs below describe how to grow and take care of zinnia flowers.

How to Plant Zinnias

• Zinnias are grown directly from seeds, and even reseed themselves every year. The best time to sow the seeds is late spring. Zinnias need abundant sunshine to grow, and will refuse to germinate if the ground is cool! The blooming season generally lasts from mid-summer to fall. At the first sign of frost, these plants wither and die.
• Whether you have chosen a window box or a flowerbed to grow your zinnias, make sure the soil you use drains well, is very fertile, and enriched with humus.
• With a rake, dig the soil a bit to aerate it well, and sow the seeds with a gap of one inch between them. Then smooth the soil over so that the seeds are buried a quarter of an inch deep into the ground.
• To get that perfect and beautiful flower garden, plant three different varieties of zinnias in the flowerbed or your garden, beginning with the tall ones at the back, the medium-sized ones in the middle rows, and the smallest variety (dwarf zinnias) in the front rows.
• Water the area well, gently enough so the water does not splash around dislodging the seeds from their places.
• The seeds will sprout the first shoots in a week's time, so keep an eye out on your garden/window box. Just make sure you water them daily and keep the soil moist and not let it go dry and develop cracks, especially since it is receiving so much sun. You will soon notice the shoots developing into plants and the blooms appearing as the climate gets hotter, usually after a period of two months.

How to Care for Zinnias

• Your plant needs enough room to grow optimally and produce vibrant blossoms. Once the plants have sprouted, pluck out extra saplings such that you leave a gap of at least a foot between two adjacent saplings.
• When the first blooms begin to appear, fertilize the plants. Apply as per the instructions on the packet. It is advisable to fertilize twice during the season, using the same amount of fertilizer for each application.
• Water thrice a week. Zinnias do not need too much water and prefer dry soil and are fairly drought-resistant. But do not let the stems, flowers, and leaves get wet. This can lead to rot and fungal diseases. Irrigate with a steady trickle at the base of the plant, taking care not to upheave the soil. The soil should retain its moisture at all times, but should not be waterlogged, as excess water can cause root rot.
• A layer of mulch at the base of the plant will help the soil to retain the moisture and hamper the growth of weeds as well. Uproot the weeds on a regular basis without harming the plants, so the zinnias do not get deprived of nutrients from the soil.
• Deadhead the plant regularly. Discarding the expired flowers will foster new buds and extend the blooming period.
• Use a garden stake or a sturdy stick to support plants and flowers that have grown tall. Insert it firmly into the ground and secure the stem and the stick together with a twine.
• As with other plants, zinnias are also susceptible to diseases like bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, and fungal spots. Avoid wetting the foliage to keep infections at bay. If you notice infected plants, pull them out or snip off the infected parts. Fungicides can be sprayed to control the growth of disease. Also check for overcrowding - pull out extra plants which will also reduce moisture buildup and promote circulation of air among the existing ones.
• Pests can also cause harm to your flowers, and some notorious ones include aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, tomato worms, and spider mites. These insects will chew through the leaves, though they spare the flowers. Unless the situation gets out of control, avoid spraying pesticides. Butterflies frequent zinnias often, so spraying pesticides will harm these little creatures as well.

Under favorable conditions, zinnias will grow quickly and thrive without requiring too much maintenance. Zinnias are one of the most popular flowering plants favored by gardeners and grown in butterfly gardens because of their ability to attract butterflies and birds. Zinnias are commonly used in flower arrangements, though they do not stay fresh for too long after they have been plucked. Plant zinnia seeds in spring, and watch your garden turn into a riot of colors in a matter of months!