Zinnia Potted Cultivation Methods, Precautions, and Detailed Explanation of Leggy Growth Causes
Zinnia is one of the famous ornamental plants. After being introduced to China, it became popular with many people, and it is currently cultivated very widely across China. Its flowers are large and the colors are very vivid. Many flower lovers who like zinnias grow a pot themselves as a potted plant for viewing. During cultivation, some problems still arise. Today the editor will introduce to everyone the correct cultivation methods for zinnias.
Zinnia Potted Cultivation Methods and Precautions
I. Zinnia Cultivation Methods 1. Watering
Because the light requirement is high, moisture evaporates very easily, so appropriate humidity must often be maintained; in summer, water once a day. 2. Fertilizing
When planting, apply 2-3 grams of compound fertilizer to the bottom of the pot. After planting, use an 800-fold dilution of Dexon to drench the roots for disinfection. Within 1 week after planting, keep the potting soil moist to promote growth of the surface roots. Once the roots grow to the bottom of the pot, topdressing can begin: fertilize 2-3 times per week (on sunny days apply water-soluble fertilizer, with the concentration controlled within 200 mg; on rainy days apply granular fertilizer at 2-3 grams/pot), and also supplement with 1 application of calcium fertilizer. 3. Temperature
Zinnia likes warmth and sun, and is not tolerant of severe summer heat or severe cold. The suitable growing temperature is 18-20°C during the day and 15-16°C at night. Growth is especially rapid in summer. 4. Light
A full-sun method can be used directly, with direct sunlight. If sunlight is insufficient, the plant tends to grow leggy and its resistance is also weaker; in addition, flowering will also be affected.
II. Zinnia Precautions 1. Plant shaping If zinnias are not pinched, the plant will have too few side branches and fewer flowers. Proper pinching can promote dwarfing of the plant and increase the number of flowers. When the seedlings grow to 4 leaves, plant them and pinch, encouraging lower branches to grow so as to form a better plant shape. Begin pinching one week after planting, keeping 4 pairs of true leaves, and decide whether to pinch again according to plant growth and branching. During the flowering period, continue applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate to promote continuous emergence of flower heads. After flowers fade, promptly cut off the withered flower heads to reduce nutrient loss. 2. Pest and disease control Common zinnia diseases: white star disease, black spot, mosaic virus disease. Zinnias also need protection against leggy growth. Zinnia seedlings are very prone to leggy growth during the growing period. Pay attention to lowering the temperature, carrying out pinching, and watering less.
Causes of Leggy Growth in Zinnias
1. Insufficient light
Zinnia is a plant with a very high light requirement, and light adjustment can also be used to change the flowering period, making it earlier or later. In the later stage, seedlings grow very quickly; with insufficient light, they are very prone to leggy growth.
2. Too much water
In places with strong light, water evaporates relatively quickly, but if the light is not sufficiently strong, the water in the potting soil will evaporate slowly. If a large amount of water continues to be applied, it will affect root respiration and lead to poor plant growth and leggy growth.
3. Too much nitrogen fertilizer in the sowing medium
In the sowing medium for zinnias, a small amount of fertilizer can be applied; phosphorus, potassium, or nitrogen fertilizers are all acceptable. However, if nitrogen fertilizer is excessive, the growth rate of the seedlings in the later stage will exceed the normal level, thus causing leggy growth.
How to Prevent Leggy Growth in Zinnias
1. Increase light
Zinnia seedlings need enough light to grow happily. After the sun comes out in the early morning, place the seedlings in a spot where they can get sunlight until the sun sets. At night, if the outdoor temperature is low, the seedlings can be moved indoors. This is one advantage of potted seedlings: you can move them wherever you like!
2. Balanced nutrients
Sown zinnia seedlings need enough nutrients to grow into robust plants. However, the nutrients must be balanced, otherwise they easily become leggy or develop other poor growth conditions. When fertilizing, the amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be increased and the proportion of nitrogen fertilizer reduced to achieve a balanced nutrient ratio.
3. Pinching treatment
When the seedlings grow to about 10 cm, carry out pinching to promote axillary bud growth, leaving 2-4 pairs of true leaves. Pinching can both prevent leggy growth of the seedlings and limit the height of mature zinnia plants, achieving dwarfing, making the plant shape more beautiful and the flowers larger and more vividly colored.
Zinnia Propagation Methods
1. Sowing
Seeds can be sown in spots or broadcast, covered with a thin layer of soil, and watered after sowing. They germinate 5-10 days after sowing. When the seedlings grow 2 leaves and reach 5-8 cm in height, transplant once. Zinnia seeds have a lifespan of 3 years, with a germination rate of about 60%. Try to choose plump seeds from the previous year to increase the germination rate. The sowing date can be determined according to the desired flowering time; from sowing to flowering takes about 75-90 days.
2. Cuttage
Cuttage seedlings are less uniform than sown seedlings. Side shoots 10 cm long can be selected for cuttage. They generally root in 5-7 days, after which cultivation management is the same as for sowing, and they can leave the nursery after 30-45 days.
Cuttage can be combined with pinching for dwarfing.
Zinnias are not very demanding about the environment, but flower lovers should still learn more about their growth habits. Cultivating them according to their growth habits is definitely not wrong. In addition, note that they should be pinched in time to avoid leggy growth affecting their appearance.