How to sow zinnia seeds, zinnia seed planting methods and maintenance

How to sow zinnia seedsA content about how to sow zinnia seeds and the planting methods, as well as the maintenance of zinnia seeds in the field of green plants and flowers. Let's follow the editor to see the specific content!Zinnias are all around us, adding a lot of color to our lives. Zinnias are a common type of flower, with very high ornamental value, often seen in parks or residential areas. Do you know how to plant zinnias?Zinnia planting methods1. Water and fertilizer managementWatering: Due to the high light requirement, water easily evaporates, so it is necessary to maintain proper humidity regularly, and water can be given daily in the summer.Fertilizing: Add 2-3 grams of compound fertilizer to the bottom of the pot at the time of planting, and apply 800 times the liquid of Dicksonia for root disinfection after planting. Keep the potting soil moist within one week after planting to promote the growth of surface roots. When the roots grow to the bottom of the pot, you can start top-dressing, applying fertilizer 2-3 times a week (apply water fertilizer on sunny days, with a concentration of 200mg or less, and apply granular fertilizer of 2-3 grams/pot on rainy days), and you can also supplement with one application of calcium fertilizer.2. Temperature and lightTemperature: Zinnias prefer warm and sunny conditions, and are not tolerant of high heat or severe cold. The optimal growth temperature is 18-20°C during the day and 15-16°C at night. They grow especially fast in the summer.Light: Direct full-daylight can be used, with direct sunlight. If there is insufficient sunlight, the plants tend to grow leggy and have weaker resistance, and flowering will also be affected.Zinnia precautions1. Plant shapingIf zinnias are not pinched back, they will have too few lateral branches and flowers. Proper pinching can promote dwarfing of the plant and increase the number of flowers. When the seedlings have grown to 4 leaves, plant them and pinch them to promote the growth of lower branches and form a better plant shape.Start pinching one week after planting, leaving 4 pairs of true leaves, and decide whether to pinch again based on the plant's growth and branching. During flowering, continue to apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers like potassium dihydrogen phosphate to promote continuous growth of flower heads. After the flowers fade, remove the dead flower heads promptly to reduce nutrient loss.2. Disease and pest controlCommon diseases of zinnias: white spot disease, black spot disease, mosaic diseaseZinnias also need to be prevented from becoming leggy. Zinnia seedlings are very prone to becoming leggy during the growing period. It is important to lower the temperature, pinch the plants, and reduce watering.How to sow zinnia seedsZinnia water and fertilizer maintenanceWatering is needed during the seedling stage, but it is generally not suitable to water too much. However, during the hot summer, frequent watering is needed to keep the soil moist. Otherwise, it will cause the leaves to turn yellow and the flowers to be small and poor in color, greatly reducing their ornamental value. Usually, applying a thin fertilizer 3 times during the entire growth period is sufficient. Use a mixture of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers during the seedling stage; use phosphorus fertilizers during the bud formation stage; and apply a compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in early September. If too much fertilizer is applied, the plant may become leggy and prone to lodging.When growing zinnias as cut flowers, select tall varieties, do not pinch the seedlings, and use the flowers at the top of the main stem for cut flowers. Because tall varieties have tall stems, they are prone to breakage in strong winds, so supports need to be set up promptly. In high temperatures, zinnias grow weakly and flower poorly, and do not produce seeds. During this season, frequent watering is needed, and red spider mites should be controlled in a timely manner. After the beginning of autumn, they can continue to grow and flower.After each flower fades, remove the残花 promptly to reduce nutrient consumption and facilitate blooming again. At the same time, apply 1-2 times of fertilizer mainly containing phosphorus and potassium. Do not plant continuously in the same plot of land to reduce the occurrence of diseases.Reasons for zinnia legginess1. Insufficient light. Zinnias have a high light requirement and can adjust flowering time with light, advancing or delaying it. The later growth of seedlings is very fast, and insufficient light can easily cause legginess.2. Excessive watering. In areas with strong sunlight, water evaporates quickly, but if there is not enough light, the moisture in the potting soil evaporates slowly. If a lot of water is still applied, it can affect the root respiration, leading to poor plant growth and legginess.3. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer in the seeding medium. A small amount of fertilizer can be applied to the zinnia seeding medium, with phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen fertilizers all possible, but if nitrogen fertilizer is excessive, it can cause the later growth of seedlings to exceed the normal level, leading to legginess.The above sharing on how to sow zinnia seeds and the related explanation of zinnia seed planting methods and maintenance may provide a little help for your life!