Zinnia is a spectacular decoration of a flower bed and a flower garden. I liked these bright flowers for their unpretentiousness and cheerful palette. And I would like to tell you more about these annuals.
Description of the plant
Zinnia is a small, compact plant. It has an erect strong stem of a graceful shape, covered with a light downy. In height, it reaches from 30 to 100 cm, depending on the variety.
Inflorescences are semi-double and double bright in color. The palette is varied: yellow, pink, scarlet or two-colored tubular petals.
I liked the plant for its unpretentious care and growing conditions. Cut zinnia can stand in a bouquet for up to 14 days.
Companions of this perennial in my flower bed:
- chamomile;
- marigold;
- marigold.
Together, these plants make up the rustic style.
Planting zinnia seeds
I recommend sowing a flower in this way, since the seeds have a high germination rate: they germinate quickly and develop actively. Therefore, I sow an annual immediately into open ground, to a permanent place.
Before sowing, I recommend preparing the planting material:
- Sort by shape and size. As one seed basket can contain different types of seeds.
- Disinfect in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.
- Soak for 20 minutes in a growth stimulator.
Landing dates
I start sowing in open ground already in the middle of March. I choose a sunny place, well protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts.
I noticed that at least 3 weeks pass from the appearance of the first shoots to the beginning of flowering.
Landing rules
For the event to be successful, I recommend adhering to the following landing rules.
First of all, prepare the site in the fall. I dig up a place for planting on a shovel bayonet, carefully removing plant debris. Then I add deciduous humus and manure at the rate of 7 kg per 1 m2.
I level it with a rake and break up clods.
I advise you to follow this scheme:
- distance between rows - 30 cm;
- between plants - 30 cm;
- hole depth - 5 cm;
- seeding - 2 cm.
I put 2 seeds in one hole. I make a pick at the stage of 2 real sheets.
If there is a threat of return frosts, I cover the planting with agrofibre.
I water the seedbed with soft, settled water every other day. Then I loosen it so that a crust does not form on the surface, I mulch with a small layer of humus.
During the period of active growth of zinnia, it is important to observe the irrigation regime and prevent the soil from drying out.
Zinnia care
This perennial is unpretentious. With minimal farming, bright colors appear on my flower bed in early June.
The main care measures are as follows:
- Regular weeding and loosening.
- Watering once every 4 days in moderate weather. And every other day in the heat.
- During the flowering period, I regularly remove faded buds.
- I apply mineral fertilizers and liquid manure twice a season. The first feeding is carried out 4 weeks after sowing in the ground.
- I recommend pinching. This procedure makes the bushes more attractive and fluffy. I carry it out by removing the crown above the 3rd sheet.
Summing up, I can say that zinnia is an annual with high decorative qualities. With minimal agricultural technology, it blooms brightly, abundantly and for a long time. Landscape designers use plants to decorate the edges of flower beds, flower beds, borders. Marigolds, marigolds and chamomile will effectively complement the plant.
The culture is grown in two ways: seedling and sowing in open ground, since the seeds have a high germination capacity.
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