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The Zinnias they are semi-rustic plants belonging to the Asteraceae family grown as annuals in pots and in the garden for ornamental purposes.
General characteristics of Zinnia
Zinnia is a herbaceous plant grown as an annual or perennial. It has a very delicate root system formed by thin milky roots. In full vegetative development it forms a thick bush composed of erect, cylindrical, hairy and laterally branched stems especially towards the apexes.
The leaves they have an oval or elliptical-lanceolate shape with a bright green foil, slightly sticky to the touch. The basal basals are wider and longer than the apical ones.
THE flowers zinnias are large solitary daisies with a compound or simple corolla formed by long ligulate petals whose color ranges from white to pink, from yellow to orange, from red to purple. There are cultivars with mottled petals. Pollination is entomogamous and occurs thanks to bees and other pollinating insects, moreover the flowers attract many butterflies.
Also read: 10 varieties of flowers to plant in October on the balcony
The seeds, thin, oblong and brown in color, are found at the base of the petals. Collected in full ripeness, directly from the dried flowers, they can be stored for sowing the following year.
Flowering
Zinnias bloom from late spring to late September, sometimes even in October if the climate is mild enough.
Cultivation of Zinnia
Exposure
The zinnia prefers sunny places sheltered from the wind. It fears the environment that is too humid or rainy, cold and wind but tolerates the heat of summer well.
Ground
It is a plant which, while preferring loose, fertile and well-drained soils, grows well and produces abundant flowering even in the well-worked and well-drained common garden.
Watering
It needs regular and frequent watering especially if it is young or recently planted. Subsequently it should be irrigated frequently only in summer or when the soil is completely dry, taking care not to wet the leaves and flowers.
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Fertilizations
Periodically, on average every 20 days, fertilize with specific liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, based on phosphorus and potassium, diluted in the watering according to the recommended doses. Alternatively, a slow release granular fertilizer can be spread at the foot of the plant every 2-3 months.
Fertilization, based on nitrogen and with microelements (magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, calcium and manganese) essential for the development and harmonious growth of Zinnia, must be carried out when the seedlings are repotted in the open ground or in pots. With an excessive supply of nitrogen, the plant develops foliage to the detriment of the flowers.
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Zinnia: cultivation in pots
It is an easy plant to grow even in pots on south-facing balconies and terraces, especially if it is a dwarf variety. The pot, preferably made of terracotta, must be large enough so that you can plant more plants and create a small flower bed with multicolored flowers. The soil must be specific for flowering plants, soft, well drained and rich in organic substances. If you opt for dwarf varieties, the distance between one plant and another must be 20 cm.
Repotting
The Zinnia grown as a perennial is repotted every year in spring. The new pot will need to be larger than the old one to allow the roots to expand.
Multiplication of Zinnia
Zinnias reproduce by seed which reach full maturity inside the central button in early autumn.
Sowing of Zinnia
The seeds collected from the dried flowers of the previous year they are sown in protected seedbeds at the end of winter in the period February – March or directly in the open ground in May.
The soil suitable for sowing must be soft, well drained and rich in organic matter. For all the time necessary for the germination of the seeds, the substrate must be kept constantly humid by practicing daily nebulizations.
Planting or planting
The transplantation of the zinnia seedlings is carried out from April-May onwards, in holes 30 centimeters apart for the dwarf varieties and about 50 centimeters in the giant variant.
The plants must be planted delicately and with all the earthen bread that surrounds the roots. After planting, proceed with watering, avoiding soaking the earth and taking care not to wet the leaves to avoid the risk of fungal attacks.
Topping or pruning of Zinnias
Frequently trim the zinnias at the fourth leaf level to stimulate the emission of new lateral shoots and new flowers. Eliminate withered flowers and damaged or dry leaves.
Harvesting of Zinnia seeds
The collection of zinnia seeds should be done when the flowers left on the plant are completely dry.
Insights: zinnias collecting and storing seeds.
Seed conservation
The seeds must be stored in paper bags or in airtight jars that must be stored in dark and dry places.
Pests and diseases of Zinnia
Zinnias fear mealy cochineal and powdery mildew (badly white) which manifest themselves with whitish, purulent spots on stems and leaves.
Cures and treatments
Cut the withered flowers to stimulate the flowering of the new ones and eliminate the stems infected with mold. In ventilated areas it is recommended to support the giant zinnias with braces.
The pesticide and fungicide treatments should be carried out only in case of need, using specific products such as white oil in case of cochineal infestations or using biological preparations such as the horsetail pesticide to combat powdery mildew.
Variety of Zinnias
There are many species of Zinnias that differ in color and flower corolla, in shape, posture and height.
Zinnia grandiflora
A shrub variety 15 to 20 cm tall. It forms a rounded bush made up of many thin, branching stems. It has opposite, linear leaves covered with short, coarse hairs. From July to October it produces bright yellow flowers. It also grows well in arid soils; it resists the cold and can also be cultivated in pots.
Acerosa Zinnia
Also known as Desert Zinnia, it is a perennial variety about 60 cm tall, native to Mexico. In summer it produces white daisy-like flowers with a showy central button formed by numerous stamens of a deep yellow color.
Zinnia elegans
Known as common Zinnia or Zinnia Violacea it is a species native to Mexico. It forms a bush of erect stems, up to 1 meter high, covered with lanceolate leaves. It produces very showy flower heads. Some hybrids of this variety have semi-globular flowers. It prefers warm climates.
Zinnia angustifolia
Zinnia linearis is a perennial or annual variety about 50 cm tall. It has hairy and erect herbaceous stems covered with narrow leaves, in fact it is also called Zinnia a Narrow Leaf. The flowers are white with a hemispherical corolla and a bright orange or sometimes yellow center.
Zinnia bicolor
A variety that produces mottled flowers, usually with an orange central button and yellow-tinged petals along the edges.
Zinnia tenuiflora
A variety that unlike the others produces scarlet red flowers with petals curled downwards. It is also easily cultivated in pots
Zinnia pauciflora
A variety native to the American continent that produces beautiful bright yellow flowers during the flowering period. It is planted between March and April in a specific soil for flowering plants, soft, well drained and rich in organic substances, at a distance of about 40 cm between one plant and another.
Peruvian Zinnia
An annual plant up to 50cm tall with green stems turning yellow or purple rich in ovate, elliptical or lanceolate leaves. In summer it produces red flower heads and a central disc made up of 12-50 yellow flowers.
Uses
Zinnias are widely used in gardening to create borders, flower beds and tree outlines. In the garden they are used among crops to attract pollinating insects.
Language of flowers
The zinnia flower it is a symbol of spiritual greatness and in the context of love it indicates the nostalgia for the distance of the loved one.
Is Zinnia Poisonous?
It is a non-toxic plant neither for humans nor for domestic animals such as dogs and cats and indeed it is an edible flower, that is edible.
Is the Zinnia flower edible?
The flowers of the zinnias can be used to prepare infusions similar to those of chamomile and are used in different recipes both as an edible decoration on desserts and cakes or fried in batter.
Curiosity
The zinnia bears its name in honor of Zinn, the famous molecular biologist who first described its characteristics and cataloged the flower.
The plant, originally from America, in particular from Mexico, was only imported to Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century.
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