When should zinnias be sown?

Zinnia has strong resistance to diseases and pests, and comes in a wide variety of species with bright and varied colors. Therefore, it has been widely used in parks, flower beds, flower borders, and bouquets. So when should zinnias be sown? Let’s take a look below.

1. When should zinnias be sown?

Spring sowing: generally between March and June. At this time, the temperature gradually rises and the light is sufficient, which is conducive to seed germination and seedling growth. Specifically, when the temperature is stable above 15 degrees Celsius, you can start sowing.

Autumn sowing: usually between August and October. Although the temperature begins to gradually drop at this time, the light conditions are still good, and the ultraviolet rays are relatively reduced, which has little impact on seed germination, and is also suitable for sowing zinnias.

In addition, you can also adjust the sowing time according to your viewing needs. For example, if you want to enjoy the gorgeous flowers of zinnias in the hot summer, then the best time to sow them is between April and May in spring; if you prefer to enjoy zinnias in the cool autumn weather, you can sow them in mid-July to early August in summer.

2. How to sow zinnia

1. Seed selection

Choose healthy, pest-free, and mature zinnia seeds. The seeds should be plump and bright in color. Avoid using expired or spoiled seeds.

Seed soaking treatment: In order to increase the germination rate, the seeds can be soaked in warm water for about 6-8 hours to help the seeds absorb sufficient water and promote seed germination.

Disinfection: Use diluted potassium permanganate solution to soak and disinfect the seeds. The soaking time is generally about 30 minutes to kill the bacteria and insect eggs on the surface of the seeds and prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests.

2. Soil preparation

Choose a planting area for zinnias that has full sun and good drainage. As for soil, loose, fertile and well-breathable soil is preferred.

Before sowing, the soil should be deeply tilled and finely harrowed to remove weeds and stones. At the same time, you can add an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer to improve soil fertility.

3. Sowing method

Sprinkle the treated seeds evenly on the prepared soil and then lightly cover with a thin layer of soil. The sowing depth should not be too deep, about 2-3 times the diameter of the seed.

The sowing density should not be too high so as not to affect the growth of the plants. Generally speaking, the sowing distance is about 20-30 cm.

4. Watering and maintenance

After planting, water the zinnias with a gentle stream, making sure the soil is moist. During the growing period, keep the soil moist and avoid drought or waterlogging.

When zinnia grows to about 10 cm in height, you can apply appropriate fertilizer to provide it with the necessary nutrients. When applying fertilizer, you can choose dilute liquid fertilizer and follow the principle of "applying thin fertilizer frequently".

Weeding can reduce weed competition on zinnias and promote their healthy growth. At the same time, check the growth of zinnias regularly, and take timely measures to prevent and control any signs of diseases and pests.

That’s it