how to grow zinnia flowers from seed

Growing Zinnias From Seeds Plant the seeds only about ¼-inch deep. You'll see seedlings sprout in four to seven days. Once the seedlings reach about three inches tall, thin them so that they're 6 to 18 inches apart to maximize air circulation, a key to keeping zinnias looking good all season.

1. How long does it take to grow zinnias from seed?
2. Are zinnias easy to grow from seed?
3. How do you start zinnias from seed?
4. Should I soak zinnia seeds before planting?
5. Can you grow zinnias in pots?
6. Do zinnias self seed?
7. Do zinnias need full sun?
8. How often do you water zinnia seeds?
9. When can I plant zinnia seeds outside?
10. Do zinnias bloom all summer?
11. Should you pinch zinnias?
12. How do you start seeds in egg cartons?
13. Can you direct sow zinnia seeds?
14. Should seeds float or sink?
15. How long do zinnia plants last?
16. What are the best flowers to plant in pots outside?
17. Can you save seeds from zinnias?
18. Can you grow zinnias from cuttings?
19. Why are my zinnias not blooming?

How long does it take to grow zinnias from seed?

Zinnias generally take 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions and variety).

Are zinnias easy to grow from seed?

Zinnias are easy to grow directly-seeded into the garden. For sooner blooms, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date.

How do you start zinnias from seed?

Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula. Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night.

Should I soak zinnia seeds before planting?

Seeds can be planted indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and the seedlings can be easily transplanted into your outdoor garden later on. Remember that germination is less successful in cold soil. Moreover, it is best to soak dried seeds in water for 4-6 hours before planting.

Can you grow zinnias in pots?

You can plant them all the way through July for blooms until frost. 5 Zinnias will grow in large containers but not well in small pots. Choose a pot at least 12 inches across for best results. Taller growing varieties, such as State Fair, need the largest pots.

Do zinnias self seed?

Zinnias (Zinnia spp.) reseed easily, creating a cut-and-come-again garden each summer. ... Zinnia haageana "Persian Carpet" and Zinnia elegans "State Fair" and "Liliput" are a few of the heirloom varieties that grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 1 through 10 and reseed each year.

Do zinnias need full sun?

Zinnias' pointy seeds, shaped like little arrowheads, require only basic garden prep to sprout: sow them in well-drained soil, where there's full sun and lots of summer heat, and you'll have tiny seedlings in days, with flowers powering up in just a few weeks.

How often do you water zinnia seeds?

Irrigation for Regular Maintenance

Zinnias can withstand moderately dry soil conditions but do better with supplemental watering. In general, zinnias typically need 1 inch of water once every five to seven days.

When can I plant zinnia seeds outside?

Where spring warms up early, wait until the last frost has passed before directly sowing zinnia seeds outside. Plant the seeds only about ¼-inch deep. You'll see seedlings sprout in four to seven days.

Do zinnias bloom all summer?

The Benary's Giants have large, double blossoms, 4 to 6 inches across, available in a rainbow of colors and features improved mildew resistance. Photo by: Shaikh Meraj / Shutterstock. Fully double flowers bloom all summer on this heat-loving zinnia.

Should you pinch zinnias?

Sweet peas will branch into a much fuller plant with pinching. When you are happy with your plants' shape, stop pinching and let them grow. Zinnias and cosmos are especially generous bloomers if pinched. Pinch early to promote branching, then “pinch” by cutting flowers.

How do you start seeds in egg cartons?

An easy solution is to cut off the container lid and put it under the bottom of the carton. Poke holes in the bottom of each egg cup and any moisture will drain out and into the lid underneath. Fill each egg cup with potting soil and place seeds in to the appropriate depth.

Can you direct sow zinnia seeds?

Sowing Seeds Outdoors

The easiest way to start zinnias is to plant them directly in their final beds outdoors. It takes air and soil of more than 70 F to germinate well, so wait until spring is firmly in place before planting zinnia seeds.

Should seeds float or sink?

Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.

How long do zinnia plants last?

In addition to zinnias' spectacular garden show where ever you need a burst of color, zinnias are an incredible cut flower. Many varieties of zinnias will last from seven to 12 days in a vase.

What are the best flowers to plant in pots outside?

Easy Flowers to Grow in Pots

• Geraniums. Classic geraniums like these, 'Dark Red' and 'White Watermelon', look as natural on porches in summer as pumpkins do in fall. ...
• Petunias. ...
• Mandevillas. ...
• Hydrangeas. ...
• Chrysanthemums. ...
• Begonias and Coral Bells. ...
• Impatiens. ...
• Sedums and Coleus.

Can you save seeds from zinnias?

Save zinnia seeds: After the flower dies, simply pull out the petals, the seeds are attached to the bottom of them. Put inside of a simple brown paper bag and store in a cool, dry place until next spring! Save on seed costs!

Can you grow zinnias from cuttings?

Zinnias are so easy to grow AND they're gorgeous. ... It's for this reason that I've found an interested in propagating zinnias from cuttings and rooting stems in water. Taking cuttings is really easy. All I do first, is make a cut below one of the leaf nodes.

Why are my zinnias not blooming?

There are several possibilities I can think of right away: one is that they are still too young to bloom, another is that they are not receiving enough sunlight, and the third is that they have been provided with too much nitrogen. (Over feeding will result in lots of lush leaves and very few flowers.)