Zinnias Care | Gardening On

Among the annual plants, there are some that are very beautiful and elegant. So much so, that his last name is precisely elegans. We speak of, of course, the zinniasalso known as Mystic Rose or Paper Flower.

Would you like to know how these beautiful flowers are cared for? Let’s go there.

Characteristics of the Zinnias

The Zinnias, whose scientific name is Zinnia elegans, They are herbaceous plants with an annual or seasonal cycle that can be grown both in pots and in gardens.. They look great as a centerpiece plant, and also accompanied by other flowers with which to create an incredible composition of colors.

Its leaves are oval, opposite, with a marked central vein, and of a dark green color. The dwarf varieties reach a height between 15cm and 90cm for the largest, so they are perfect for decorating any corner.

When do zinnias bloom?

The flowers bloom from early summer to fall. They can be of very varied colors: white, yellow, orange, red, bronze, crimson, lilac, purple or green. In addition, there are those that are double (that is, two layers of petals), and simple.

How are they cared for?

If you want to have one or more copies of Zinnias, then we will tell you what their care is:

Location

The Zinnia elegans it has to be grown outside the home, as it needs direct sunlight. Also, it is important that it is exposed at least four hours a day, but it is better that it be during the whole time so that it can bloom more and better.

This is something that you must also take into account if you plan to create compositions with other plants in planters, since all the ones you put must withstand exposure to the sun, such as geraniums (Geranium and Pelargonium) or Convolvulus for example.

Substrate or soil

It is a very grateful and adaptable herb. For this reason, you can grow it on conventional growing substrateslike the universal (for sale here!). Now, if you live in an area where it rains frequently in spring and / or summer, it is recommended that you mix it with 50% perlite in case it does not carry. In this way, the risk of the roots rotting will be much lower.

Furthermore, If you prefer to have it on the ground, you must make sure that the earth is able to filter the water at a good rate. And it is that in those heavy and compact soils the roots will have problems due to excess water.

Irrigation

Irrigation of the Zinnia it has to be frequent in summer, somewhat scarcer the rest of the year. You have to prevent the soil from drying out completely before watering again, but you also have to avoid waterlogging. The ideal is to water every 2-3 days, it may even be necessary to increase the frequency if it is very hot.

A sign that tells us that the plant urgently needs water is the fallen leaves, but it is not good to take it to that extreme. For this reason, especially during a heat wave we have to be vigilant, and check the humidity of the soil every day to water if necessary.

Likewise, Do not get the leaves or flowers wet if they are exposed to the sun at that time. If you want to refresh the plant, it will be done in the late afternoon and only by wetting the foliage, since if you also added water to the flowers, they would wither before their time.

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Want a Zinnia elegans that is really healthy and strong enough to flourish? Then do not hesitate to fertilize it throughout the flowering season. It can be paid with mineral fertilizers for flower plants following the indications specified on the product packaging, and also with natural fertilizers such as guano or algae extract.

Of course, whenever you want to fertilize any plant with fertilizers of natural origin, make sure that somewhere on the container it shows a label that says something like this: Authorized for organic farming. Or at least, it mentions “organic farming”. If it does not show it, then it is not a natural fertilizer (well, unless they are manures that have been bought from an individual who has horses, chickens and / or other types of animals, or from a livestock, of course).

But in any case, and since the zinnia is a small plant, little fertilizer has to be added. If it is liquid, the instructions on the package must be followed, and if it is powder, less than a handful per specimen once every 15 or 20 days will suffice.

Pruning

You don’t really need it, but to minimize the risk of getting sick the withered flowers have to be removed. Take scissors, clean them for example with a damp cloth or with mild soap and water, and cut the stem from its point of birth. This way you will make it look much prettier.

Multiplication

Easily multiplied by seeds in spring. The steps you must follow are those that we tell you below:

1. First, you have to put cultivation substrate in a seedbed. As such you can use pots, but we recommend a horticultural seedbed tray (such as this) to have greater control over germination and seedling growth.
2. Then water. Pour water until the substrate is damp.
3. Then add the seeds. If you choose to plant them in pots, you have to put them separately, and no more than two in each; If you are going to make it in a seedling tray, put one in each hole.
4. Finally, bury them with a very thin layer of substrate, and place the seedbed outside.

The seeds will germinate in a matter of days. In fact, in a week (sometimes less) they already start to sprout.

Rusticity

Does not resist the cold. It is an annual herb that performs its functions during the warm months of the year; after flowering, it dries up. But that is not a problem, because as we have said, sowing the seeds and making them germinate is very simple.

Where to buy?

If you want to have your own Zinnia elegansyou can get seeds by clicking here:

What do you think of these plants?