Zinnia seeds don't need stratification, so I don't think leaving them outside for a month would help anything.

I have had good experience with retail store zinnia seed packs though. My germination rate is at least 90% (I didn't really count, but I spaced the seeds evenly, and I didn't get any empty space/spot).

I agree. Zinnia seeds need warmth to germinate. In all likelihood, the seeds would rot before they have a chance to germinate if planted that early.

Seems to me that you probably just have seeds that are not viable. You can do a germination test by placing several seeds in a moist, but not soaking wet, paper towel inside a sealed plastic baggy. Keep in a warm place. Check every couple of days to see if they have germinated. Germination time for Zinnias is around 7-10 days, but can vary on either side.

Susan

Thank You Dave and Suzy. I plan to plant a lot of "Big Red" zinnia's this summer. (But, I purchased from Hazzard's) I usually have great germination from their seeds.

I just thought by leaving the packs in a container outside for a couple of weeks will help increase germination from the store bought packs I have left.

I'm going to try and grow a lot of Zinnias for more color all season long. Just placed order with Jonhnny seed catalog.

Hi all,

I grow many kinds of zinnias, including crosses that I have made, but one of my favorite commercial zinnia varieties is Whirligig. This is a snapshot in my Whirligig patch last year.

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Most Whirligigs have at least two colors on their petals, and some have three colors. Some sources of Whirligigs have mostly double flowers, and some sources (like Park's for example) include many single zinnias as well. Actually, the single Whirligigs look pretty good because they have a daisy-like look and show off their color patterns to a good effect. I purchased my Whirligig seeds from Stokes, because their strain has more doubles and they offer economical bulk amounts. I purchased a quarter pound, and I have a bunch of them left over from last year that I will be planting this year. Every now and then I get a Whirligig that is a little different, like this one.

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I like to use zinnias that "catch my eye" to self or cross with others to get zinnias that are unlike any that you can get from a commercial seed packet. Growing and breeding my own zinnias has become an absorbing hobby for me.

ZM
(not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

I grow lots of Zinnias from seed and always have trouble germinating Big Red. Don't really know why.

Thanks Zenman, those are really pretty pictures. Do you pinch them back often to get the bushy look?

Plantladyco, where did you purchase your Big Red zinnia seeds from?

I bought mine from Hazzard's this year because last summer I purchased from the store. I am hoping it will make a difference in germination.

LadyRose,

"Do you pinch them back often to get the bushy look?"

I should start doing that, but those Whirligigs in that picture were not pinched at all and those first blooms are on the main stems. I frequently cull my zinnias heavily based on the appearance of their first bloom. So I don't pinch them so that I can make a decision as quickly as possible about which plants to keep.

But I would get much nicer plants if I pinched my plants after the third or fourth true leaves. I'll probably do that on at least some of my zinnias this year.

ZM

I have normally bought seed from Park, but notice that Swallowtail has them too