What is the best fertilizer for zinnias?
For flowers like zinnias, you want a fertilizer with a bit more phosphorus, which is the middle number. Something like 5-10-5 or 10-20-10 is perfect because it helps with blooming and root development. Here are some tips: By repeatedly deadheading zinnias throughout the summer, you can keep plants in the flowering stage and provide long-lasting color. Deadheading also keeps plants looking their best. Most flowers lose their attraction as they fade, leaving an unsightly brown head behind.A general-purpose fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be incorporated into the soil at the time of planting. After planting, zinnias should be fertilized monthly using a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content than nitrogen to promote new blooms.Zinnias are annuals and will die with the first hard frost of fall. If you want them to reseed, let the last flowers of the season mature fully and scatter their seeds.Deadheading for Continuous Blooms: To keep your zinnias blooming all season long, regularly remove spent blooms (deadheading). This signals to the plant to keep producing new flowers rather than setting seed. Plus, deadheading ensures fuller plants, longer stems, and a longer vase life for your cut flowers.Zinnia Deadheading and Pruning. To get the most blooms on your zinnia plants, start with pinching off the top when the plants are small. Cutting off the top above a leaf node will force the plant to send out new side branches. It sounds counterintuitive, but to keep zinnia plants blooming, cut off flowers regularly.
What is the secret to growing zinnias?
The secret to getting the longest stems from your zinnias is pinching them when they are young. Here’s how it’s done: When plants are between 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) tall, take sharp pruners and snip the top 3 to 4 in (8 to 10 cm) off the plant, just above a set of leaves. Cut stems as long as possible, strip excess foliage, and place in cool water. Because zinnias are annuals, you don’t need to winterize them. Schirtzinger says that saving seeds in the fall can be done with open-pollinated varieties.Water deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Don’t overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils. Once established, zinnias a relatively drought tolerant.A general-purpose fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be incorporated into the soil at the time of planting. After planting, zinnias should be fertilized monthly using a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content than nitrogen to promote new blooms.Zinnias don’t like to be crowded—space plants 9–12 inches apart for airflow and fewer fungal issues. Powdery mildew can be a problem, especially in humid climates—good spacing helps prevent it. Zinnias are one of the best beginner flowers to grow—they’re quick to bloom and very forgiving.
What triggers zinnias to bloom?
Zinnias need full sun, good airflow, and moderate feeding with a balanced fertilizer. They can become leggy or stop blooming if you don’t maintain them by deadheading and pruning. How to Fix: Start a proper watering schedule. As long as the plant isn’t turning brown, then adjusting your watering schedule should bring them right back with a little time. If your zinnia’s leaves are brown and crispy, it’s likely too far gone to save.Zinnias will grow in the Miracle Gro. Zinnias grow in poor soil. You could probably add some compost in there, but don’t overdo it or you won’t get good blooms.Snip off the flowers, then take them indoors to pluck the petals and seeds. Mature seeds will be dry, firm, and brown. Separate out the seeds and store them in an envelope in a cool, dry spot until spring. Label the envelope with the date and type of zinnia.From seed to bloom, the process takes roughly 90 days, depending on growing conditions, which means we typically start seeing our first flush of flowers in mid to late July. Whichever method you choose, zinnias are fast growers that reward you with vibrant, abundant blooms all season long.Overwatering. Too much water causes zinnias to turn brown and soggy. Flower heads droop, and plants may topple over. Fungal diseases may appear as brown or water-soaked spots on leaves.
How to keep zinnias blooming all summer?
Deadheading for Continuous Blooms: To keep your zinnias blooming all season long, regularly remove spent blooms (deadheading). This signals to the plant to keep producing new flowers rather than setting seed. Plus, deadheading ensures fuller plants, longer stems, and a longer vase life for your cut flowers. What happens if you don’t deadhead zinnias? If you do not deadhead and allow the zinnias to go to seed, the plant will stop producing flowers, resulting in a much shorter bloom season, says Estrada.