Zinnia Flower Seeds

Planting

• Plant zinnia seeds in full sun in a bed of fertile, well-drained soil. They don't have to be planted deeply in the soil. Space the seeds about a foot apart on top of the dirt and lightly rake over them, covering them with about 1/4 inch of soil. Apply a layer of mulch to hold in moisture and control weed growth. Water the seed bed regularly until the plants are established. They will reseed each year, eliminating the need to plant again.

Care

• Though they are a hardy annual, zinnias should be watered once or twice a week during dry periods. The soil should be moist, but not drenched. Use a general-purpose fertilizer once a month. Deadhead regularly by removing spent blooms with fingers. Don't plant zinnias near large trees, as they will have to compete with the tree roots for water and nutrients.

Characteristics

• There are more than 20 species of zinnias, with Zinnia elegans the most commonly used. All are extremely easy to grow. The plants bloom continuously from mid-summer until the first hard frost. The flowers have an old-fashioned look and attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden, adding to their appeal. Zinnias grow from 1 to 3 feet tall, with flowers ranging from a single row of petals to a dome shape, depending on the variety. The leaves are lance-shaped with a rough, sandpapery texture. Named after German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, zinnias originally grew as wildflowers in the southwest United States and Central America.

Problems

• Zinnias are relatively pest-free, but can be afflicted with powdery mildew fungus. Symptoms include small, circular gray or white patches on the leaves, followed by a powdery coating, distorted shape and leaf drop. This fungus can kill the plant if not eradicated. Spray with a baking soda solution or sulfur. Cut out and destroy infected plants.