pansyloverandgrower,

"zin-e-a or zean-ya?"

The first pronunciation is correct, although the second pronunciation is common in some areas.

"They are 1 1/2 months old, started in early-mid May"

Normally they would be starting to bloom now in my area.

"They are short, but very very bushy and healthy, a perfect even green...They do not have buds yet."

Where did you get your seeds from? I can't imagine California Giants behaving like that or looking like that. As was mentioned in a previous message thread, if you are living in Lynnwood in Washington state, its climate is described as "cool and rainy", which is far from ideal for zinnias.

"They are very slightly slightly rootbound, but i planted them in their permanent containers today "

How big are those permanent containers? Zinnias like California Giant aren't normally grown in containers. Can you post a picture of these zinnias?

"I am desperate to have more success with zinnias in the future!"

That may be a problem in your climate.

ZM

thanks for your reply. when i had zinnias last year, i bought them i 4 inch pots already blooming, but they didnt do much, they did reach their expected height(10 inches. very small). They did not bloom as well as i had hoped. but that seems weird to me, since last year was actually a hot summer. The reason they are going in containers is that i do not expect them to get very big. I wonder if the really cold weather we have had recently is affecting the plants. If the plants dont do well this year, i guess i have next year to try again too. By the way, how long do zinnia seeds last?

pansyloverandgrower,

"By the way, how long do zinnia seeds last?"

I planted some zinnias this year from seeds saved in 2005 and got good germination. They were stored at room temperature. It would probably be better to store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator (but not the freezer). I will carry over some of my 2005 seed to plant this Winter or next Spring. Zinnia seed are considered to be long lived. I think that seven-year-old zinnia seed would be worth planting, providing that they were stored under reasonable conditions.

"The reason they are going in containers is that I do not expect them to get very big."

That is kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. California Giants should get big when properly grown. After all, they are called "giants". (grin)

ZM

You probably think I'm trying to believe that nothing was my fault about the size. That is not true. I know they should have been started earlier and I know I should have taken care of them better. When I said I do not expect them to get big I just meant that I really messed up. I probably sound really defensive but I am still new to plants and I feel like you are critisizing me. But I do really appreciate the info and am very glad seeds last that long since I bought many varieties and didn't get to use them all this year.