Sunday, November 10, 2013

Growing Great Zinnias

Growing great zinnias for gorgeous huge blooms. My zinnias are gorgeous this year. Big huge flowers, constant blooms and deep colors.

country kitchen

Here we are in November and I am still picking full bouquets. Our days have been warm and sunny and dry which they love. We don't have problems much here with leaf mold as we don't have damp wet days very often.

zinnias in vase, polka dot jug

Cut zinnias last for at least week. Here are some tips on making cut flowers last longer.


zinnias in vase, chicken canisters


The key to growing great zinnias lies in my compost tea. It is high in nitrogen which is similar to commercial flower fertilizers but I make it for free from my compost bin. Applied every two weeks has kept these blooming all summer and into November.

zinnia garden

About half of the zinnias were grown from seed and the other half bought as nursery starts. The photo above was taken yesterday.

To Grow Great Zinnias:

1. Start seeds early or sow zinnia seeds straight into amended soil once the soil has warmed.

2. Try to water at the base of the plants and avoid getting the leaves damp to avoid leaf mold problems.

3. Once the zinnia plants are about to bloom give them a shot of my homemade flower fertilizer. You will get so many blooms that you will have loads for a cutting garden.

4. Cut blooms often and dead head all through summer and fall to keep the zinnias from going to seed and to keep the zinnia blooming.

19 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tip they are just stunning x

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  2. I'm so jealous! You still have pretty zinnias. But sounds like you worked hard for it. I spy those canisters I love!
    Brenda

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  3. You DO have lovely zinnias!! My girlfriend always has lovely zinnias sitting around the house - all different colors and I say every year in the spring time that Im going to plant some too!! I've got to do it next spring!! You're are lovely!! Cute little pot too!

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  4. A whole new meaning to the phrase, I need to stop by for some tea! Gorgeous my friend.

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  5. I had great zinnias this year. And I just planted them in our normal soil! Don't know why, but that seems to do the trick for me. Yours are lovely!

    xo
    Claudia

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  6. Our zinnias did very well this year too, unfortunately, with our colder climate in Michigan they are long gone. They are one of my absolute favorite flowers, so bright and cheerful and beautiful! Guess I'll just enjoy yours for a while:>)

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  7. I love your photos. We love to grow Zinnias too. They are so HAPPY!

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  8. Your zinnias are so pretty, and I love them in the turquoise pitcher. Your kitchen is so cute and homey!

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  9. You have inspired me to try out some zinniaa next year. ! I love them, and love t o photograph them too... what more could you ask. Where do you find the "recipe" for your commpost which does such a great job with these.???

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  10. For some reason several of your posts hit my reading log at once. My posts haven't been updating lately, either.

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  11. I LOVE zinnias and yours are gorgeous, Elaine! I still have one or two of the minis hanging on, but after the big drop in temps tonight I'm sure even those will be gone. I'll just have to enjoy garden pics from blog friends who live farther to the south. :-)

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  12. I LOVE zinnias and yours are gorgeous, Elaine! I still have one or two of the minis hanging on, but after the big drop in temps tonight I'm sure even those will be gone. I'll just have to enjoy garden pics from blog friends who live farther to the south. :-)

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  13. I like zinnias, they have such velvet petals, and of so many colors! My parents used to grow in their garden too :)
    Love you snaps with matching kitchen jars :) Beautiful!

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  14. Bonjour,

    Merci de partager avec nous vos magnifiques photos de zinnias... En cette période de l'année c'est agréable de pouvoir encore profiter des fleurs du jardin.
    Un gros bisou à vous.

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  15. Your so lucky to be living in a climate that allows you to enjoy fresh flowers for extended periods of time. I love zinnias too, but more partial to the pom pom variety. They are cute as little buttons. I always seemed to have more luck with marigolds though, love poppies, but they never seem to do that well for me. One year I planted some from seed and pulled them up thinking they were weeds. I could have kicked myself!
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  16. Beautiful! I miss my garden already-thanks for sharing yours :)

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  17. They are so pretty! Love your canisters too!

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  18. We have always loved zinnias but can't grow beautiful ones here due to mold. I consider them a garden staple.

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