ZINNIA ART DECO

A royal mixture of purple, light pink and lavender with 36 inches stems and the dream of every florist.

Zinnias like plenty of sunshine and are more common in climates warmer than we normally experience in the UK, they will not tolerate cold so it is better to plant out late rather than too early - or grow in a poly-tunnel if the summer temperatures in your region are on the low side - but if you’re looking for a late-summer bedding or container plants, with a brilliant range of colours, then Zinnia provides a fabulously vibrant option.

Zinnias grow quickly – seed sown in early April can be flowering by June, but they do resent root disturbance so either sow directly into a 9cm pot, or into large-celled plug trays or coir modules, potting on a soon as the roots hold the compost together to minimize root handling. Don’t let them get pot bound.

Sow the seeds onto the surface of a free-draining compost and cover with vermiculite. Maintain humidity by covering the pots or trays with clear or translucent polythene until the first seedlings are visible. Do not over-water the young seedlings. Germination takes around 5-14 days at 18-20oC.

Grow on in as bright a position as possible feeding weekly with a moderate strength liquid feed. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart and provide support either individually or by allowing them to grow through a frame.

Zinnias are particularly prone to damping off. In a cool, damp year, with high  humidity, they can suffer with mould and rot.