Zinnia
Zinnia elegans
Details
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75-85
Plant spacing: 6-12"
Pinch: when plant is 8-12" tall
Growing Notes
Transplant - Sow into preferred seedling container 4 weeks before planting out. Cover seeds. A heat mat will help maintain an accurate temperature. Lower temperatures will result in slower germination: 5-7 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C). Do not allow plants to become root bound and avoid disturbing roots; transplant shock or other stress events may cause double-flowering varieties to produce single blooms for a period following stress.
Direct seed (recommended) - Sow 1/4" deep. Succession-sow/plant every 2 weeks for prolonged yields of high-quality stems. Pinching of initial bud or bloom and subsequent deadheading is recommended to encourage strong branching and bloom production. Very sensitive to frost.
Harvest
Before completely open. Stem is firm from point of cut to just below the bloom.