Zinnia

My fellow gardening friends may not believe it, but the zinnia was originally just a wildflower. It only became what it looks like today after many horticultural experts carefully improved and cultivated it.

Zinnia flowers bloom from early summer until just before the frost season, lasting well over a hundred days, which is how it got its name. It has strong vitality and a lovely, charming appearance, and it can absolutely add brilliance to your balcony.

Now, let's take a look at how to grow zinnias. Let this beautiful flower bring you strength and happiness!

Sowing Zinnias

One

Zinnia seeds are large and flat.

Two

Find a disposable container, poke a few drainage holes in the bottom, and then put soil into it.

Place the seeds into the soil at a certain spacing, and cover each seed with soil about 2 times the size of the seed.

Three

Water thoroughly and place the pot into a transparent box with a lid.

Zinnia Growth Process

1. After 4 to 7 days, new seedlings emerge.

Most of the new seedlings grow crooked and twisted, so it is best to add more soil to prevent them from falling over.

2. At one month, 4 to 6 true leaves have already grown, so it is time to repot.

3. Repot: spread a drainage layer at the bottom of the new flowerpot and add soil.

Editor's tip: Note that each zinnia plant should be spaced at least 5 cm apart.

4. At two months, the leaves grow more and more.

Editor's tip: Be sure to place the plant in a spot with plenty of sunlight to prevent leggy growth.

5. At two and a half months, flower buds begin to emerge.

From now on, the plant enters its flowering season, and it needs liquid fertilizer sprayed once every 2 weeks to supplement nutrients. Plenty of sunlight is what brings beautiful flowers.

6. At three months, the zinnia blooms its first flower.

Editor's tip: The flower color of zinnias varies depending on how much sunlight they receive.

Editor's tips:

1. If you want to harvest beautiful flowers, it is best to place the pot under direct sunlight. If your home does not have direct sunlight, be sure to place it in the spot with the most sunlight.

2. The length of sunlight exposure also has a big effect on the flowers. The longer the sunlight exposure, the easier it is to produce gorgeous double flowers. The shorter the sunlight exposure, the greater the total number of flowers.

3. If you want zinnias to produce more side branches, prune before flowering.

4. If the zinnias grow too tall, or the number of flowers decreases, you can cut off the ends of the branches for cuttings.

5. Their resistance to pests and diseases is relatively strong, but if watered too much they are prone to downy mildew, with symptoms of spots appearing on the leaves. So usually be careful to water only when the deeper soil is dry, and do not let the plant stay in an overly wet state.

Alright, that is all for this article. If my fellow gardening friends still have any questions, check in at the comment section below.

I also wonder whether the editor explained things clearly and in detail. For fellow gardening friends who did not understand, the editor has written an acrostic poem especially for you. It may not be well written, but it can help you find the editor.

More wonderful articles are all in one acrostic poem:

A gentle breeze lightly brushes, flowers remain ever present

Strolling freely in spirit to the south of Nanshan

Searching for wonders and seeking novelties at Bronze Sparrow Terrace

Planting reds and greens above the blue clouds

--Come take the challenge: a four-line acrostic and tail-hidden poem; connect the first characters and connect the last characters to get an eight-character motto and summon the editor's true self! When you come, remember to say: "Editor, your secret has been cracked by me!"