What is the planting density of zinnias?
An introduction to the planting density of zinnias and a detailed explanation of the cultivation points of zinnias, following is the introduction by the editor.
【1】Introduction to Zinnias
Zinnias, also known as步步高 (Step-up), fireball flowers, opposite-leafed chrysanthemums, autumn Chinese roses, etc., are annual chrysanthemum plants cultivated nationwide, and are also plants with high ornamental value due to their beautiful flowers.
Zinnias are annual chrysanthemum plants. The stems are erect, 30-100 cm tall, covered with rough hair or long bristles. The leaves are broadly ovate or oblong-elliptical, 5-10 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide, with a slightly cordate base hugging the stem, rough on both sides, and densely pubescent beneath with short bristles, with three basal veins. The capitulum diameter is 5-6.5 cm, solitary at the branch tip, with no hollow thickened peduncle. The involucre is broadly campanulate; the involucral bracts are multi-layered, broadly ovate or ovate-elliptical, the outer layer about 5 mm long, the inner layer about 10 mm long, with black edges. The receptacle bracts have extended appendages; the appendages are purple-red, pendent triangular. Ray florets are deep red, pink, violet, or white, the ligulate segments are obovate, with 2-3 teeth at the apex or entire, pubescent above, and pubescent beneath. The tubular florets are yellow or orange, 7-8 mm long, with apex lobes ovate-lanceolate, pubescent with yellow-brown villous hair. The pistillate achenes are obovate, 6-7 mm long, 4-5 mm wide, flat, with a ridge on the center and both side edges of the ventral surface, truncate at the apex, narrow at the base, pubescent; the tubular floret achenes are obovate-cuneate, 7-8 mm long, 3.5-4 mm wide, very flat, pubescent, with short teeth at the apex. There are single-petal, double-petal, curly-leaf, wrinkled-leaf, and various differently colored horticultural varieties. The flowering period is from June to September, and the fruiting period is from July to October.
【2】Disease and Pest Control
1. Watering: Due to the high light requirement, water easily evaporates, and it is necessary to maintain the appropriate humidity frequently, with watering every day in summer.
Fertilizing: Apply 2-3 grams of compound fertilizer at the bottom of the pot during planting, and after planting, water with decomposing bacteria to disinfect the roots. In the first week after planting, keep the potting soil moist to promote the growth of surface roots. When the roots grow to the bottom of the pot, you can start topdressing, applying fertilizer 2-3 times a week, and also supplementing with one application of calcium fertilizer.
2. Temperature: Zinnias prefer warm, sunny conditions and are not resistant to high heat and severe cold, with a growth temperature of 18-20°C during the day and 15-16°C at night. They grow especially fast in summer.
3. Light: Direct full-daylight can be used, with direct sunlight. If there is insufficient sunlight, the plants are prone to elongation, have weaker resistance, and flowering will also be affected.
4. Common diseases of zinnias: White spot disease, black spot disease. You can use Shixun to spray the entire plant of zinnias. Zinnias also need to prevent elongation. Zinnia seedlings are very prone to elongation. Attention should be paid to reducing temperature, pinching the top, and watering less.
The experience and knowledge about the planting density of zinnias and the detailed explanation of zinnia cultivation points introduced above, hope this article can provide you with some help!