Zinnias from seed

15 years ago

I have good success growing zinnias from seeds started indoors, but my plants never get bushy - I tend to get a central stem with minimal branching (I've grown Purple Prince, if that makes a difference). I recently purchased some gorgeous Uproar Rose and Benary's Giant zinnias from the nursery, and while I realize these are still tall cultivars, they are bushy with good branching.

I'm thinking my seedlings need to be pinched a couple of times - ? . If I pinch a few times before planting out, should I start earlier indoors than I already do (IIRC, I started 6 weeks prior to planting out date this year), or just sow at usual time, pinch, and the plants will catch up in terms of bloom time once planted out.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Donna
15 years ago
Definitely pinch. I have found that the earlier you pinch them in their growth cycle, the faster they catch up. I doubt that it would be much different whether you start them inside or outside. Either way, pinch after the first two sets of leaves form. With good growing conditions, they barely slow down at all.
mnwsgal
15 years ago
With all the rain my zinnia seeds must have rotted as no sprouts.

Will they have time to bloom if I start some in the ground now?
Related Professionals
Miami Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Ashland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Covington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Minneapolis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Corpus Christi Landscape Contractors · Tyler Landscape Contractors · Reno Landscape Contractors · Chatham Landscape Contractors · Albany Architects & Building Designers · Rock Hill Architects & Building Designers · Grand Rapids Architects & Building Designers · Green Bay Architects & Building Designers · Missoula Architects & Building Designers · Vancouver Architects & Building Designers · Leamington Architects & Building Designers
zen_man
15 years ago
mnwsgal,

"Will they have time to bloom if I start some in the ground now?"

Yes, even in your Zone 4, because zinnias will bloom in 6 to 8 weeks from sown seeds. You probably even have time to order some seeds online to sow in the next couple of weeks. I have been very pleased with the Whirligig zinnias from Stokes. Although I pretty much like all zinnias.

ZM
mnwsgal
15 years ago
Thanks, ZM, I have lots of varieties of zinnia seeds. Will start some this weekend.