QA

Question: How To Cut Zinnias To Keep Blooming

Will zinnias rebloom after cutting?

Zinnias are a “cut and come again” flower, so when you cut the plant “hard,” it responds by sending out even more long, strong stems all season long. If you follow these few simple steps, you’ll have beautiful long-lasting blooms that hold up 7-10 days in a vase.

How do you prune zinnias cut and come again?

The secret to cutting back zinnias and getting the longest stems from your flowers is to pinch them while they’re still young. This entails snipping the top off the plant when it’s between 8 and 12 inches tall, just above the set of leaves.

What do you do with zinnias at the end of the season?

After zinnias flower, cut off the old flowers (a process called “deadheading”) to encourage more flowers to form. Zinnias are annuals and will die with the first hard frost of fall. If you want them to reseed, let the last flowers of the season mature fully and scatter their seeds.

Do zinnias need deadheading?

Deadheading Zinnias prolongs the plants blooming time, encouraging the flowers to continue to bloom. Once the blooms begin to fade, cutting back the Zinnia flower heads will promote new growth. This will encourage the plant to grow new stems and blooms where you have cut.

Why are my zinnias so tall?

Plants grow tall and spindly when they are trying to find some sun. Perhaps your plants are too close together and they are competing for sunlight with a race to the top. Or they are living in a shaded area and are trying to find sun.

Why are my zinnias so small?

Plants are shorter than is characteristic for the variety and the flowers are much smaller: When zinnias are overcrowded they can become stunted and produce smaller flowers. Always follow the spacing recommendations for each variety.

How far apart should zinnias be planted?

* Give zinnias space, which promotes air circulation and prevents fungus and leaf spot problems. Large varieties should be spaced 12 inches apart and smaller varieties 6 inches apart. * Plant zinnia seeds in small containers and then transplant or put the seeds directly in the ground.

When should I pinch zinnia seedlings?

The secret to getting the longest stems from your zinnias is pinching them when they are young. Here’s how it’s done: When plants are between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) tall, take sharp pruners and snip the top 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) off the plant, just above a set of leaves.

Do zinnias attract hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to its showy blooms. Zinnia, one of the most popular annuals, is easy to grow from seed and thrives in zones 2 to 11. Hummingbirds and other pollinators love the bright blooms, which also make for great cut flowers.

How do you keep zinnias from falling over?

The easiest system involves one stake per plant. Use sturdy stakes longer than you expect the zinnia to grow at maturity, since a good piece of the bottom must be sunk into the soil. Other options are wire cages and tomato stakes.

What flowers go well with zinnias?

They look especially beautiful when you sprinkle your seeds among a mix of cut flowers such as dahlias, marigolds, asters, and petunias.

How long do zinnias last in vase?

Many varieties of zinnias will last from seven to 12 days in a vase. Zinnias are the workhorse of the farmer’s market, too. Flower farmers will attest that zinnias with their brilliant colors, easy care and long vase life are one of the most profitable flowers to grow.

How long do zinnias last after being cut?

With proper care, zinnias should give a vase life of about five days. The great part about zinnias is the more you cut, the more they bloom! So cut away or be sure to deadhead regularly.

What greenery goes with zinnias?

Along with branches of walnut and young weeping willow, Chinese lantern, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, Siam tulip, and orchids, the green-petaled zinnias create a multi-textured, verdant base.

Are coffee grounds good for zinnias?

5 Tea or coffee grounds-by adding these to your soil it with acidify the soil or acid loving plants(you can also use aluminum sulfate) Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Blueberries, Hydrangeas-will change the color from pink to Blue. If you add 1/4″ of grounds once a month you will keep the ph of the soil on the acidic side.

Why are my zinnia seedlings leggy?

When the light source is too dim or distant, seedlings grow quickly in height to get closer to that light. “They get leggy because they’re looking for the light, so a lot of times you’ll see them bending towards the light.”May 7, 2019.

Should I pinch the tops of zinnias?

Zinnias and cosmos are especially generous bloomers if pinched. Pinch early to promote branching, then “pinch” by cutting flowers. You can stagger bloom times with some late-flowering plants like Russian sage, phlox and asters by pinching back half of the plants in your flower bed by about one third.

Do zinnias get leggy?

Pinch early, pinch often and your zinnias get bushy with lots of flowers. If you don’t pinch and they get leggy, you can bend them horizontal and the branches will grow vertical, also effectively giving you more flowering stems.