Plant zinnia properly
Do not plant your grown or purchased zinnias in the bed before mid / late May. A cold snap throws the flower back tremendously as it grows. Prepare the soil in the full sun so that it is structured loose and well-drained. If in doubt, work a few handfuls of sand or grit under the loamy soil. This is how even the untrained hand can plant:
- Depending on the selected variety, dig spacious pits at a distance of 25-40 cm
- Add a little compost with horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *) to the excavation
- Insert a potted young plant into each planting hole while maintaining the previous planting depth
- Press the soil with your hands and pour
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For the first few days and weeks, water your zinnia regularly to force it to take root. As a result, the water requirement is reduced to a low level.
Care tips
We are always surprised at how little maintenance the zinnia is satisfied with. How to properly address the modest demands:
- Only water adult flowers in summer drought
- From June until the end of the flowering period, fertilize every 14 days with compost in the bed and liquid fertilizer in the pot
- In addition, shower the floor with nettle and comfrey manure once a month
- Clean off withered flower heads every few days
- Support towering flower stems with a stick
The Zinnia species and varieties cultivated in our regions are not winter hardy. In late autumn, get the plants out of the ground and dispose of them on the compost.
Which location is suitable?
The zinnia needs a sunny, warm location. If there is a lack of light or in cool temperatures, the abundance of flowers remains far below expectations. Combine this with a well-drained, rather poor soil that is sandy-loamy and not too damp.
What soil does the plant need?
Plant the sun-loving zinnia exclusively in poor, humus-poor and well-drained soil. A moderately dry moisture content is of the highest relevance, because too much moisture quickly puts an end to flower life. For cultivation in the bucket this means that normal potting soil can be used; of course, only provided that you add sand, fine grit, lava granulate (€ 10.95 at Amazon *) or perlite (€ 32.90 at Amazon *).
When is the flowering time?
If the zinnia finds a sunny, warm and well-drained location, it will produce tirelessly bright flowers from July to October. Consistently brush off the withered daisy flowers, because the next buds are already waiting underneath to shine with the sun.
Cut the zinnia properly
The upright flower stalks invite you to use it as a vase decoration or in a summer bouquet. Cut off zinnias that have just bloomed early in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Leave some leaves on the plant so that it can sprout again. We also recommend that you cut off the withered flowers as soon as possible. The zinnia invests its floral energy in growing new flowers instead of wasting it on growing seed heads.
Pour zinnia
The water requirement of a zinnia is low. The summer flower arranges itself much better with short-term drought than with permanent wetness. You should therefore only water a well-grown plant during summer drought. Experience has shown that the watering can is less used in beds than on potted flowers. Use normal tap water that you put directly on the root disc.
Fertilize zinnia properly
In the bed, the summer flower is happy to receive a portion of compost every 14 days. Rake in the organic material on the surface and pour more. In addition, experienced hobby gardeners shower the soil once a month with a mix of nettle and comfrey manure. If the zinnia thrives in the pot or balcony box, give a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 2 weeks.
Overwinter
The heat-loving zinnia dies at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. The sensitive summer beauty is therefore not suitable for wintering. In late autumn, get the root balls out of the earth to dispose of them on the compost.
Zinnia propagate
For propagation, collect the 5-8 mm long seed heads in autumn before the flowers distribute them in the garden on their own. Store in a dry place in a screw jar in a cool cellar. From the end of February you will have enough seeds in your hands for sowing. Sow the seeds on peat sand or seed soil, sieve them thinly and moisten with a fine effervescence. Set up in a heated indoor greenhouse, a constant temperature of 18-22 degrees Celsius is required for germination. Prick out the strongest seedlings with at least 2 pairs of leaves in individual pots. Until the middle / end of May the planting time begins, keep the soil slightly moist in the sunny, warm window seat.
Zinnia in the pot
The zinnia demands just as little from the gardener in the pot as it does in the bed. In particular, make sure that the flower does not get wet feet. An airy, light substrate with pottery shards as drainage effectively prevents waterlogging. Only water when the soil has dried well. You are more generous when it comes to nutrient supply. From June to October give a liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks or give a long-term fertilizer in stick form in June and August. Don't forget to prune the withered flowers. This caution is rewarded with a well-groomed appearance and a constant abundance of flowers.
Is zinnia poisonous?
The zinnia is assigned to the slightly poisonous ornamental plants. Various alkaloids and other substances that can trigger skin allergies on contact can be found in the sap. Therefore, wear protective gloves when doing any work around your summer flowers.
Nice varieties
- Cherry Red: Award-winning variety that sets itself apart with double cherry-red flowers around a yellow center; 30-40 cm
- Envy: A magnificent Zinnia elegans, whose dahlia-like flowers shine in bright yellow; 70-90 cm
- Crystal White: The white-yellow flowers are reminiscent of daisies and bloom from June until the first frost; 45-50 cm
- Scarlet Flame: The 13 cm large, rich red flower balls attract everyone's attention in the bed and tub; 90-100 cm
- Oklahoma Rosa: A pink flowering zinnia with a tightly upright habit; very beautiful cut flower with a height of 70 cm
- Senorita Aztec: Beautiful cactus zinnia with ruffled and pointed petals in red; 80-100 cm
