Planting zinnia seeds and caring for seedlings in the open field
Majors, they are also zinnias, decorate the flowerbed with bright beautiful flowers throughout the summer season. Zinnia, planting and caring for which in the open field is not difficult, are grown by seeds and seedlings. After flowering, annual flowers give good seeds, which, when collected, get excellent planting material for the next year. To get large inflorescences and lush bushes, amateur gardeners use several rules for the care and cultivation of these plants.
Where to make a flower bed under zinnia
It is important that large trees do not grow in the area of the flower bed, giving abundant shade.
Signs of a suitable place for a flower bed:
- the land is loose and fertile;
- the place is well ventilated, but not blown through by drafts;
- the earth is well lit by the sun;
- the soil passes water well without retaining it.
Water should not stagnate in the ground, otherwise the plant roots will rot.
If the soil is too dense, sand or turf is added to it. This will improve the drainage properties of the soil.
Boarding time
To correctly determine the time when to plant zinnias in open ground, they are guided by weather conditions. If the nights are cold, and there are frosts on the soil, it is worthwhile to wait. If the soil warms up well and the temperature does not drop below zero, flowers can be planted. The most suitable month is chosen depending on the planting method. For example, the end of April is chosen for planting seeds in open ground. If ready-made seedlings are planted in the ground, they choose a fine day in mid-May.
How to plant zinnias with seeds in the ground
The method of planting zinnia in the ground with seeds is more suitable for the southern regions of Russia. The climatic conditions of the regions contribute to the rapid heating of the soil. In order for the seeds to give strong shoots on time, flower growers use the following planting algorithm:
- the seeds are wrapped 5 days before planting in a warm cloth soaked in a solution of epin for germination;
- choose a well-lit place for the flower bed;
- prepare the soil - loosen it, apply fertilizers (superphosphate) and sand to improve drainage properties;
- determine the planting scheme, most often the seeds are sown in a curly way (in the form of a circle, heart, chamomile);
- on the day of planting, all weeds and stones are removed from the flower bed;
- grooves are made in the ground and the hatched seeds are planted.
The groove for the majors should be 4 cm deep, and the seeds should be placed at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Majors grow in this case larger and more bushy. If the seeds are placed too close in a row, the flowers will be smaller and weaker.
Prepared seeds germinate well. If they are not germinated in advance, half of the planting material may not germinate. After planting, the flowerbed is watered through a spray bottle so as not to clog the soil. The next watering is done after the sprouts appear.
Planting zinnia seedlings
The second way is to plant zinnia in the ground in spring with seedlings. This method is suitable for any region, as it gives a guaranteed result. Seedlings are grown in advance and planted when a good temperature regime is established. The algorithm of actions in this case is the same as when planting seeds.The difference is that the seedlings are placed at a distance of 35 - 40 cm from each other, deepening by 5 - 6 cm. After planting, the seedlings are well watered.
When replanting young plants to a flower bed, you must not damage the roots and shoots. If the plant was in a peat pot, then it does not need to be removed - it is better to plant it directly in the pot.
When the planting of zinnia in the open ground is completed, the flowers are cared for - they are watered abundantly, weeds are removed and fertilizers.
How to care for zinnia
Caring for the grown majors' seedlings consists of five procedures:
- abundant watering;
- loosening dried soil;
- removing weeds;
- pinching shoots;
- fertilization.
In order for planting and caring for zinnia in the open field to give a good result, the flower bed is well watered. Instead of frequent but shallow watering, the plants are provided with regular and abundant watering. So they have time to be well saturated with moisture, while the earth has time to dry out between waterings, which does not allow the roots to rot.
You need to water the flowers at the root. If water gets into the axils of the shoots, they will begin to rot. If water gets on the buds, they will lose their aesthetic appearance.
The soil between the flowers turns into a dense crust. This happens regularly after good watering, when the soil dries out and hardens. The resulting crust does not allow air to flow to the roots of plants, which is why they develop worse. Therefore, between waterings, the soil is loosened, providing the root system with air access.
Weeds should be removed regularly only while the majors have not bloomed. Small plants are not able to absorb all the nutrients and moisture from the soil if weeds are growing nearby. It takes up nutrients, grows quickly and oppresses flowers. But once the zinnias have grown, they are not afraid of weeds.
So that zinnias, planting, care and flowering in the open field of which are important for the gardener, grow into a lush bush. their tops must be cut off. If the goal is to grow a large flower on a long stem, the side shoots are cut off, and the top one is not pinched.
It is necessary to carry out top dressing only if the flower bed with majors does not bloom for a long time or has a depressing appearance - yellow leaves, sluggish shoots. It is better to take liquid formulations with antifungal effect. Suitable, for example, "Gumat" or "Gumax".
Collection and storage of seeds
Planting zinnia and care in the open field before winter differs from the usual care by collecting seeds and preparing the garden for the new season. Ripening of the seed box lasts quite a long time - 50-60 days from the moment of flowering. If during the period of caring for plants, flower growers cut off wilted flower heads, then during the period of harvesting seeds, the seed pods of strong and large plants are preserved. They can only be cut off when they are fully ripe.
Seeds are best picked from the top large flower. It is cut with scissors after ripening and dried. After the seeds are crushed into an envelope, signed and stored for the winter.
Zinnias are the main decoration of the flower bed. If properly cared for, they look royal, bloom profusely and grow quickly to the delight of the grower.