Always better off with plastic. Many discussions here about it if interested. If one must use peat pots for some reason then the recommendation is to strip off all the pot before planting.

You might also want to review some of the many discussions here about zinnias - direct seeding them in the beds is far more successful. They grow very quickly from seed so have to be transplanted to larger and larger pots when done indoors. Just something to consider.

Dave

I start all my zinnias in 60 cell trays 5-6 weeks before transplanting directly to field. Since I sell them as cut flowers the earlier harvest date easily pays for the effort. Also, I transplant through plastic mulch so weed competition is minimized. I prefer to plant 2-3 seeds per cell and never thin if all grow. This year I planted 4-5 seeds per cell for first 2 trays since my Benery's Giant seed is 5 years old but germination looks pretty good so followup trays will be seeded normally.

I dispute that zinnias are sensitive of having roots exposed. I just let roots get slightly rootbound so that the entire rootball can be popped out of tray intact when transplanting. The seedlings never are set back by this handling.

Seed to soil makes me nervous as I don't garden at home. I garden at a community plot and feel that I don't have enough control over the itty bitty seedlings.

I'm thinking plastic is the way to go

Thank you (plural)

How about Jiffy Pellets? I use them for starting vegetables and then work wonders!

https://youtu.be/ZeSUK_eUke4

Pellets have even more problem issues associated with them than the peat pots do. Many discussions, comparative studies, and reviews of them available.

Dave