Zinnias, which were named after the well-known botanist Gottfried Zinn, beautify flower beds in full sun with their splendor of flowers from May to October. The Zinnia is also very popular as a long-lasting cut flower. Extremely robust, their care requires little effort.
How do I care for zinnias properly?
Proper care for zinnias includes regular watering, especially in planters, weekly fertilizing with liquid fertilizer or compost, cleaning out dead parts of the plant and providing protection to frost-susceptible plants in winter. In addition, any pests or diseases should be combated.
Water requirements
So that the zinnias thrive, it is important to water the sun lovers regularly. This is particularly important in planters, as the limited water supply quickly runs out on hot days. It may then be necessary to water beds and pots even twice a day. Watering should always be done in the morning and evening to avoid the dreaded magnifying glass effect. Drops that land on the leaves do not evaporate immediately, so the sunlight refracts into them and burns the leaf surface.
Fertilize regularly
The richly flowering plants need a lot of strength to form new flowers. Therefore, provide plants in the bed with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or long-term fertilizer for flowering plants. Give zinnias in planters a special liquid fertilizer weekly.
Relocating Zinnias
Since zinnias are very sensitive to frost, they only thrive as annuals in our latitudes. When the first night frosts herald winter in autumn, the flower splendor is over and the zinnia is dug up like all annual perennials.
If you would like to grow zinnias yourself for the next gardening year, we recommend that you stop cutting off everything that has bloomed in mid-September so that the zinnia forms seeds. The following year you can sow these in seed pots or directly into the bed and thus ensure offspring.
Cutting zinnias
A general pruning is rarely necessary. However, it is important to clean out anything that has faded regularly. This care measure rewards the zinnia with a rich floral bloom.
Zinnia in winter
You can overwinter particularly beautiful zinnias indoors. Dig up the plants before the first night frosts, place them in conventional potting soil and bring the zinnias indoors. A bright, frost-free room, such as the garage or stairwell, is ideal for wintering. Watering is done very sparingly and you should avoid fertilizing completely. From mid-May the sun worshipers will be allowed to move back outdoors.
Pests and diseases
Zinnias are very robust and are rarely affected by diseases and pests. Occasionally the plant is attacked by powdery mildew. During warm, dry summers, leaf bugs like to feast on the sap of zinnias. The insects can be easily collected in the early morning hours or controlled by spraying with field horsetail.
Tip
Zinnias magically attract bees, bumblebees and butterflies. That's why planting zinnias is also very valuable ecologically.
