Um, well in theory, yep, but keeping it in a vegetative state all over a long winter would be...tricky. You would have to run an 18hour cycle, for months on end. TBF, I am not even certain whether zinnias are true annuals or just tender, short lived perennials. I do grow weed, but I usually only keep the cuttings in a vegetative state for 8 weeks or so because they are getting too big for the space (plus, there is another coupla months in flower). If you really, really loved it, you could keep the mother plant going for quite a while (with pruning) but a whole winter, I dunno. Maybe if you did a series of cuttings from the mother plant...

What makes it much harder from cuttings compared to seeds? Are you referring to having to tend them all winter or they're difficult to root from cuttings or something else?

Actually taking cuttings should be a piece of cake...but keeping them alive and healthy, for months without flowering is the hard part.

I can grow a mother plant in a sunny window over the winter, and I also have a light cart on which I grow seeds that I can put her on, if needed.

Hi mxk3,

" What makes it much harder from cuttings compared to seeds? "

Are you implying growing from cuttings is as easy as planting seeds?? Planting the seeds takes only a few minutes. All the stuff you have to do with cuttings takes a lot longer. For example, how long will it take you to research the rooting hormone, decide which rooting hormone to use, locate a source of it, obtain it, and find out how much to use? But if you want to try growing zinnias from cuttings, have at it. I have successfully grown a lot of zinnias from cuttings. There are advantages to growing zinnias from cuttings. For one thing, you know exactly what you are going to get. And it doesn't have to be something that is available from seeds. Click the photo for a larger version.

ZM

Well, sowing zinnias from seed couldn't be easier but taking soft tip cuttings isn't hard either, especially if you are going to grow them on immediately they have struck roots. Keeping them alive and non-flowering is trickier through...I don't really keep my mother plants that long as I do cuttings from cuttings, iykwim, in series. I wouldn't hold out much hope for a sunny windowsill at all since daylight hours (or, more specifically, darkness hours) are going to be a hugely defining factor in keeping the plant in a vegetative state...so will have to be done under timed lights, either LEDs or such.

" Are you implying growing from cuttings is as easy as planting seeds?? "

It's not hard to take cuttings, it's just that you have to keep them over the winter. I've posted countless time about the fact my zinnia transplants from seed SUCK. IDK why, they just do, so in that regard yea seeds are hard -- the sowing is easy, but growing nice, beefy, stocky transplants gives me fits. Regardless, I have no idea what these pink ones are in order to buy the seeds. I have rooting hormone and other accoutrements ready to go, I take cuttings of other things every year.

Hi mxk3,

"It's not hard to take cuttings; it's just that you have to keep them over the winter."

Aye, there's the rub. If you get a dog, you have to take care of it.

ZM

I think this project has everything going for it, mxk3. I am intensely curious and would love for you to keep us updated. You could definitely get away without rooting hormones...but it is an extra firewall for not much expense. I have to recommend Rhizopon. rooting powder - it has always been reliable for me and is, I think, used commercially across the nursery trade. I like the 0.25% Chryzopon green as an excellent all-round rooting hormone and growth regulator..

Best of luck

Hello again, mxk3,

We probably should address your problems growing zinnias from seed.

Is it feasible for you to submit a soil sample to your County Agent for a test of your soil?

You could also ask your county agent what he or she thinks might be the problem with starting your zinnias from seed. Previously you said,

" Regardless, I have no idea what these pink ones are in order to buy the seeds. "

Some online seed catalogs have color pictures that might help you select the particular pink you prefer. Zinnias actually have several different pinks. These links might help.

Hazzard's Zinnias

SwallowTail Zinnia seeds

Their color pictures might help you find your favorite color of zinnia seed.

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

I've started a lot of Zinnia cuttings and am planning on doing some experimenting this winter to try to keep some of my favorites going. I used to post a little under a different name, but Houzz can be, uh, difficult sometimes.

What I like about cuttings is you get larger plants faster than from seeds. But you have to have your system down. I do use rooting hormone (cheap stuff from Amazon), and inexpensive LEDs. I also have great success using single nodes. I also have a green thumb.

Well, my plan has been foiled. These zinnias now have powdery mildew, and I certainly don't want to take cuttings of infected plants. Fortunately, I can't see the mildew from my main vantage point inside the house, and they're blooming great and offering much-needed color here in September, I am very much enjoying them. Dang I wish I knew what cultivar these are!

Hi mxk3,

Several things can control Powdery Mildew on zinnias. Ordinary baking soda for one (sodium bicarbonate). I would dilute it about a tablespoon per gallon as a foliage spray.

ZM