Zinnia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Zinnia (lat. Zinnia) belongs to the category of flower crops; represented by annual or perennial herbaceous plants; genus of the Asteraceae family. Zinnia is of American origin. It also grows in natural conditions.

Description

Zinnias are herbaceous plants with pubescent stems that reach a height of 50-100 cm. The foliage of representatives of the genus can be either large or medium in size, always sessile, opposite, oval or ovoid in shape, pubescent over the entire surface, rather rigid hairs.

The inflorescence is a basket, up to 15 cm in diameter, sits on thick peduncles. Depending on the variety, the color of the inflorescences-baskets can be any, from white to deep red. The inflorescences-baskets are equipped with a multi-row tiled wrapper, the edge of which is brownish in color.

The marginal flowers are located close to each other. The tubular (inner) flowers are small enough to form a disc in the center of the basket. The fruit is a trihedral achene with a small tuft, which consists of one to three cloves. The seeds are small, suitable for sowing for 2 years. Zinnia bloom is observed from the second decade of June until the onset of frost.

Location

Zinnia has always been ranked among unpretentious crops that do not put forward special requirements for growing conditions. But it develops and blooms better on moist, neutral and moderately nutritious soils. The crop prefers intensely lit areas that are exposed to the sun and protected from strong winds that can break the stems of plants. Zinnia does not differ in winter-hardy properties, the first frosts are reflected in the appearance of plants - the eyes turn black and wither.

Growing features

Zinnia is propagated, like all annuals, only by the seed method. In the Urals, Siberia and other regions with a similar climate, zinnia is grown exclusively through seedlings, since the plants are sensitive even to light frosts. Before sowing, the seeds are wrapped in a well-moistened napkin before sowing in a nutritious soil and wait for pecking, which takes from 2 to 10 days. Sowing is carried out in seedling containers, sowing in separate pots is not prohibited in the third decade of March - early April. Seeds are planted to a depth of no more than 10 mm.

Prior to the formation of seedlings, seedling containers with crops are kept under a film at a temperature of 24C. In open ground, zinnia seedlings are carried out in the third decade of May - the first decade of June. Pre-quenched. The abundance of flowering and development activity largely depends on the distance between plants, optimally 30-35 cm. In the south of Russia and European countries, sowing is carried out directly into open ground. In this case, thinning is required. Zinnias begin to bloom 60-70 days after germination.

Usage

Zinnia is a highly ornamental plant, used to decorate flower beds, ridges, large tracts, groups and borders. Low-growing forms are suitable as ampelous plants, that is, they are good for cultivation in hanging pots and flowerpots, which can be used to decorate balconies, gazebos or porches. You can also use zinnias for summer bouquets. Plants look great in combination with lush marigolds, chrysanthemums and asters.

Care

Crop care consists in infrequent moderate watering, an important condition: the ingress of water drops on the leaves and on the inflorescences adversely affects their condition in the future. The culture requires systematic feeding with organic matter and complex mineral fertilizers. An excess of organic matter in the soil is undesirable, since plants are affected by powdery mildew. Faded inflorescences are cut off, this is necessary in order to prolong flowering, it is especially important to carry out this procedure after rain.

Zinnias need regular preventive spraying with approved drugs against diseases and pests. Very often, plants are affected by spotting, downy mildew, and snails and slugs harm it.