Zinnias are annual flowering works prized for their ability to defy heat and drought - like conditions that would demolish other plants . They will in all probability fail in humid , wet conditions but are well - suited to waterless locations . Zinnia works can grow from 6 to 36 inches in height , depending on variety , with a spread of up to 18 in . White , yellow , orangish , red and violet blooms come out throughout summer . Zinnia plants need only canonical care to thrive , and they make keen additions to edge garden , edgings and flower bed .
Step 1
Choose a planting location for zinnia flora that receive at least 6 hours of full Sunday per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and has fertile , well - drain soil . Zinnias are strong weather flower and execute best in red-hot , ironical localization . devise the site by incorporating 1 to 2 inches of organic compost into the stain with a garden tiller prior to planting .
Step 2
Sow seeds directly in the garden in natural spring after all menace of frost has passed . Space plantings 12 to 24 inches apart to allow way for growth and to advertize zephyr circulation . Taller multifariousness of zinnias ask at least 24 inches in between plantings , but nanus varieties are okay with 12 inch in between .
Step 3
weewee old maid flower plants now after planting and at least once per week until growth emerges . melt off irrigate to once every two week after plant become establish , but only when there has been no natural rainfall . Zinnias prefer teetotal conditions , but supplemental tearing is necessary in times of drought .
Step 4
provender old maid flower once per month during the spring and summertime , beginning in the 2nd calendar month of emergence . Use a balanced flower fertilizer consort to the manufacturer ’s instructions for proper dosage . Wait until the ground is whole dry , water the soil thoroughly at ground floor , put on the fertilizer and then H2O again to distribute the nutrients and forbid injury to the rootage .
Step 5
Remove expend zinnia flowers after they begin to fade , to elevate additional blooms . Pinch them off as snug to the stem turn as possible using your fingers , or cut them back with pruning shear . Cut zinnias back for sweet flower arrangements if hope , as this has the same effect as deadheading and will encourage the plant to carry on flowering while allowing you to enjoy their sweetheart indoors .
Tip
admit some of the zinnia flowers to go down cum or else of hit the flower if you trust the plant to return in the same location the following time of year . The industrial plant will otherwise exit back when inhuman atmospheric condition plan of attack and will necessitate to be replaced the undermentioned saltation with new flora or germ .
Warning
Zinnias are prostrate to powdery mould , especially when they have pitiable air circulation or the leaves are allow to remain wet for a long period of clip . Provide subsidiary watering too soon in the day so the leaves will dry out before dusk . annul splashing the leafage with water by water at ground level as often as possible . flimsy plants if they farm too close together or if sign of disease are present .
