Zinnia - Seed germination
adatt
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (6)
countrycarolyn
14 years agoRelated Discussions
It can be fun to breed your own zinnias - Part 21
Comments (113)JG, "Does your pink flower have patches of white in it? What else do you have there?" It doesn't seem to have patches of white, just the side effect of poor growing conditions. As for what is what, last year I grew a huge mixture. I think I had Zahara Coral, Big Red, Giant Flowered Mixed, Envy, Candy Cane, Thumbelina, and some kind of white zinnia seed, plus my own from previous years. As you've mentioned, I can definitely see some traits from before. Here's a picture of my little raised bed, with zinnias growing between peppers. They're all pink except possibly the one in the foreground, which appears to be yellow with an orange center. I'm really hoping that it is yellow, because the only yellow flowers that I had last year were from my very first zinnia plant, which was yellow, maybe 4 or 5 years ago. That's not to say that the flower couldn't have gotten the yellow from elsewhere, but I'd like to imagine it came from my plant. I'm eagerly keeping an eye on that one. Also, JG, the latest zinnias that you posted are absolutely gorgeous. I'm guessing it's your camera, but they all have a very pleasant soft glow to them. ZM, nice explanation about the seeds. That's a good solid technique. I have experimented with germinating embryos as well and can confirm that they do behave like you've described, coming up much sooner because of the seed husk. I'm more of an indoor growing person myself, and I'm going to grow zinnias this winter. I may experiment with some odd techniques to see what could happen, like intentionally bending the stems and shaping the plant, cutting liberally and watching what comes of it. I will keep everyone updated for sure. Here's a "Common Buckeye" butterfly sipping some nectar on this hot day:...See Moregerminated zinnias not sprouting
Comments (7)Nohandle, Although you may have taken care to preserve the obvious part of the root, the root hairs themselves are very delicate and small and may have been stripped off in the process, possibly as late as when you pushed growing medium around them. I think everyone agrees that zinnias are easy to grow when sown directly in the growing medium. Mine usually emerge in two or three days and some pop up in one day. Some of the newer F1 hybrid zinnia seeds are expensive enough to warrant special treatment. But not the coffee filter/baggie method. MM...See MoreZinnias Not Germinating
Comments (5)I never have luck in flats. I work the soil a bit, add compost, and sprinkle the seeds on top. Then I just lightly brush the soil with my fingers, tamp down with my hand, and water really good, but with a fine mist. Could be any of the reasons listed above. But everyone has that plant that they just can't grow, lol. Maybe this one is yours. Mine is a houseplant that I can't spell the name of. Diffenbachia? or something. Kill it every time!...See MoreIt can be fun to breed your own zinnias - Part 30
Comments (131)Hi Heather, " I like that first flower more than the second, its more scruffy-lookin, like hair that's cutely messy as opposed to straightened and boringly perfect. " It is my choice too, for the same reason that you expressed. One of the things that I dislike about many commercial zinnias is that their petals lie so close together, like shingles on a roof. It just looks too formal, and the closely lying petals provide a hiding place for bad insects, like aphids or thrips. I am also going for new zinnia flower forms, like this "Razzle Dazzle" type. That is one of my currently blooming indoor specimens, and it is about 20% larger than my previous specimens of that type. They still need much more size increase, and I am working toward that goal. " How long can zinnia seedlings stay in little pots (they have a cross sectional area about the size of my palm) until they need to be put somewhere more permanent? " They can stay in little pots up until blooming time, but that is not good for them. As soon as they become root-bound, they need to be repotted. If you have clear pots like I use, you can see the roots start to crowd the side of the pot. If your pot is opaque, you can use this criterion: In the open ground a zinnias root system is at least as extensive as its top development. So if the visible part of your zinnia plant is significantly larger than the pot, it will appreciate being repotted. " And can zinnias grow in mild winter? Is it just frost that kills them, or would the lack of sunlight and cooler temperatures spell disaster? " It is not just frost that kills zinnias in the Fall. Cooler temperatures and shorter days cause zinnias to lose their vigor and become susceptible to Powdery Mildew and other foliage diseases. Sometimes disease effectively kills them before a frost. I spray my high value breeders with a systemic fungicide in the Fall, but just allow the others to succumb. After I harvest their green seeds or brown seeds I just pull up the plant and send it to the landfill. I don't compost zinnias, because that seems to spread disease. " I'm wondering whether I should stick these in the garden or take them indoors. Although, now that I think about it, zinnias do grow quickly so I might actually be done with them before winter even comes. " Yes. Wait and see. However, bringing a zinnia indoors from outdoors runs the risk of bringing one or more pests indoors with it, where in the absence of natural enemies, their population can explode. Good luck. And pictures are welcome. ZM...See Morecalistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
14 years agocountrycarolyn
14 years agogardenlover25
14 years agoevilingarnett
10 years ago
Related Stories
CONTAINER GARDENS8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed
Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Rocky Mountain Zinnia Brightens Hot, Dry Spots
Sunshiny flowers provide a showy drift of color in desert and prairie gardens — this native perennial is hardier than it looks
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Plant a New Lawn From Seed
Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSeeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started
Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESTexas Gardener's March Checklist
So long, freezing temperatures. It's time to kick off spring planting, lavish attention on lawns and sprinkle seeds to your heart's content
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESNortheast Gardener's September Checklist
Pluck those tomatoes, enjoy ever-changing grasses and get an eyeful of exuberant zinnias
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESUnleash Your Guerilla Gardener
Toss some seed bombs around the yard for easy, beneficial plantings
Full StoryROCKY MOUNTAINS GARDENINGRocky Mountain Gardener's February Checklist
Get smart with your seeds, strike with oil to manage pests and practice proficient pruning — your trees and shrubs will thank you
Full StoryFALL GARDENINGBe Your Own Wildflower Nursery
Gather seeds from your garden in fall, and you'll have a selection of plants for next year — without spending a dime
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGExtend Your Growing Season With a Cold Frame in the Garden
If the sun's shining, it might be time to sow seeds under glass to transplant or harvest
Full Story
adattOriginal Author