Zinnia: how to grow from seed in open ground

Zinia (Latin name - Zinnia) - genus of perennial and annual herbs and dwarf shrubs of the Astrovye family. Named plant in honor of the German doctor and botanist Johann Gottfried Zinna, and is considered the birthplace of Southern Mexico.

Sowing tsiniya seeds in open ground

Zinnias, known by the usual name of the majors, and in their diversity, were loved by many flower growers and fans of ornamental plants. It is impossible to find a garden in which this culture would not grow. Zinia does not require special care, and growing it from seeds is a very simple process that many gardeners like.Growing zinnia is a fascinating process: the seeds are round and working with them is quite easy. However, planting and caring for flowers still have certain features.

Terms for sowing

Of course, if you want the flowers to please you with their beauty as soon as possible, you need to choose the right method and determine the timing of planting. Grow zinnia on your site in several ways:

• sow seeds at home (seedling method);
• sow the seeds under the open sky (right on the garden bed).

To the question "When to sow the majors in open ground?" there is a single answer - after the solid chills pass and there is no threat of night frost. This is usually the end of May or the beginning of June.

In order to determine which zinnia seeds are viable, they are wrapped in gauze or a rag soaked in epin before planting. Fresh seeds in a couple of days spit, and for old ones it may take a week.

Place for tsiniya on the site

Since zinnia is a heat and light-loving plant, its cultivation should be performed in a place not shaded and abundantly lit by the sun.

A friable, fertile soil will be suitable as a soil, and before planting it is necessary to clear the area of ​​weeds. Due to the fact that zinnia reacts negatively to the stagnation of moisture in the soil, you can add a little sand or sod land during planting. So you dilute the soil and prevent stagnant water.

The scheme of sowing seeds on the garden

Before the direct planting of seeds in open ground, the area should be covered with insulating synthetic fabric. This will create a greenhouse effect and slightly retain moisture in the soil.

Planted tsinii on a bed can be any geometric pattern: in a circle, in a checkerboard pattern, or around the perimeter. The main thing - it is necessary to take into account varieties so that the bed looks harmonious.

The depth of the wells should be about 5 cm, and several seeds can be placed in one well. The distance between the holes should be about 10 cm.

To grow full-fledged flowers, after germination, thinning of the bushes should be carried out, leaving a distance of 30 cm between them, and 20 cm for low-growing plants.

Shelter of the first shoots zinnia

So that the probable frosts do not damage the shoots, they are recommended to be covered with special material.

Basics for the care of majors

Caring for ascended zinnia does not depend on how the planting occurred. The main thing is to provide flowers with sufficient watering (at the root), fertilizing, regular loosening, weeding, and also getting rid of pests and treatment. That is, there is a special agrotechnology for growing zinnia.

Pinching the tops

Beginner gardeners often have the question "How to pinch zinnia and should it be done?". To plant the bush, this procedure is really necessary to carry out.

As soon as the flowers take root and grow, they need to pinch the top of the head, with the result that the bushes will become more branchy and lush. This is done on the third or fourth pair of leaves. However, if you want to grow elegant zinnias on long peduncles, you do not need nipping.

Watering and loosening the soil

In watering zinnia requires a special approach, because it does not tolerate excess moisture, which can cause rotting of the roots.The lack of moisture, in turn, will slightly affect the plant, since it belongs to drought-resistant species.

For majors, rare but abundant watering is suitable, the regime of which depends on the climatic conditions of the region in which they are grown.

After rainy days, it is necessary to remove the flowering inflorescences so that the flowering is more abundant and lasts longer.

Plant nutrition

The soil in the place where zinnia is planned to grow can be any. However, on fertile grounds, the flower grows much better. Land can be fertilized before direct sowing of majors in open ground. To do this, they dig up the plot and bring in compost (humus, peat) at the rate of 8–10 kg per 1 m², mixing it well and loosening the soil after that.

You can use mineral fertilizers. In this case, with a calculation of 1 m², you will need:

• 1 tbsp. spoon of potassium sulfate;
• 1 tbsp. spoon superphosphate;
• 1 tbsp. spoon nitrofoski.

During the flowering period, moyors must be fed before and at the beginning of budding.When this is used liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.

Collecting and storing seeds

Zinnia seeds ripen within two months after the start of flowering. Therefore, it is not surprising that many gardeners are interested in how to harvest tsiniia seeds on their own ?. First of all, you should wait until the seed boxes are fully ripe and their color turns brown.

Boxes neatly, sharp scissors, cut from the stem and dried. Dry seeds are removed on a piece of paper, which can then be used as an envelope for storage, and cleaned of dried flower residues. Store in a dry place at a constant temperature. Seed germination lasts 3-4 years.

Tsiniya

For seedlings planted in mid-April. The plant quickly gains height, therefore, if planted earlier, then by the time of landing in the ground zinnia can acquire the buds, which during transportation can be damaged. In addition, the adult plant is worse mastered in a new place.

For seedlings, you need to take a large container (depth - not less than 10 cm) and since the seedlings are large, they are placed in the ground at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other, the sowing depth is not more than 1 cm. The ground should be well moistened and covered with film .

After 3-4 days, shoots will appear and the film can be removed. Do not overwhelm tsinii - the soil should be slightly damp, and The optimum temperature for germination of zinnia is + 22 + 24 ºC. After the plants grow to 10 cm, they need to dive into separate pots. To root the system well, the main root is pinched 1-2 cm. 2 weeks before planting it is necessary to start “walking” the plant, bringing it to the balcony in warm weather. Thus, the shoots will harden and strengthen.

Problems growing tsiniya

How to deal with pests

Pests can sometimes attack zinnia such as:

• slugs;
• aphid;
• snails.

They like zinnia and cockchafer, which must be collected manually and discharged into a container with soapy water.

With gastropods struggle with ploshek with beer, placed on the site. You can scatter pieces of roofing material or slate between seedlings - clams love to crawl there and can be assembled by hand.

To combat aphids, zinnia is treated with a solution of tar soap (10 g per 1 liter of water). If the infection was significant, apply a solution of "Fufanon" or "Aktellika", prepared according to the instructions.

How to deal with diseases

Zinia, like many cultures, can undergo various diseases:

• gray rot;
• Fusarium;
• bacterial blotch;
• powdery mildew.

If the weather is wet and cool, powdery mildew may appear on the zinnia - a grayish-white coating on the stalks and leaves. Struggling with it by reducing watering. Even if one leaf of the plant is covered with gray-brown round spots (bacterial spot), it is necessary to take urgent measures. Break off the infected leaves, and in case of excessive infection completely destroy the plant - there is no cure for this disease.

To combat gray rot, powdery mildew and Fusarium, fungicides ("Fundazol", "Topsin-M") are used.

As you can see, the care of zinnia is somewhat peculiar, although the landing does not amount to any particular difficulties.After reading this article, you can safely buy seeds and start growing this beautiful flower.