Zinnias are a vibrant and popular choice for gardeners, offering a wide range of colors and shapes. With proper care, they can bloom throughout the summer and into the fall, making them a valuable addition to any garden. Here are five essential tasks to keep your zinnias healthy and blooming:
Remove Fading Flowers: This is a crucial task to keep zinnias flowering until the first frosts. Cut spent flowers right down to the next set of leaves or a side shoot, not just snipping the flower head off. This stimulates branching and more flower stems. Do it every few days, and your zinnia patch will keep flowering right through to frost.
Keep an Eye on Tall Stems: Zinnias come in various shapes and sizes, but taller varieties need close supervision. Stake taller plants to keep them upright through strong winds to avoid broken stems and damaged flower buds. Consider using metal half hoops or grow-through plant grids for support. Pruning back straggly stems can also help maintain a tidy appearance.
Feed Container-Grown Zinnias: By midsummer, container-grown zinnias may need a nutrient boost. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks during active flowering to keep them healthy and blooming. Avoid overhead watering, and instead, soak the plants thoroughly at the base, especially for cactus or pompom varieties.
Fight Powdery Mildew: July's warm and humid conditions can lead to powdery mildew, a common fungal disease. Well-spaced plants with good airflow can help prevent this. If powdery mildew appears, treat it immediately with an organic fungicide like copper, sulfur, neem oil, or a baking soda solution. Water deeply once a week using soaker hoses or drip irrigation to avoid overhead watering.
Continue Deadheading: Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages the plant to produce more blooms. When a zinnia finishes blooming, cut the stem just above a leaf node at a 45-degree angle. This helps the plant focus its energy on producing new flowers rather than seeds. Handle the stems carefully to avoid crushing them, and keep the blades clean for optimal results.
