• arieties are planted 6 inches apart within the row and 2 feet in between rows.) See back of seed package for variety-specific advice. • You’ll see zinnia seedlings in only 4 to 7 days for most varieties. • When seedlings reach three inches tall, thin them so that they’re 6 to 18 inches apart to maximize air circulation. • Sow in succession for a longer flowering display. CARE • Deadhead zinnia flowers to prolong flowering. • Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly. • Zinnias are annuals and will die with the first frost. PESTS/DISEASES • Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt may affect zinnias. Minimize wetting of foliage to avoid disease. • Caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Avoid spraying and tolerate some leaf damage unless the situation is uncontrolled. • Luckily, zinnias are deer-resistant, so they might help keep nearby flowers from being eaten. HARVEST/STORAGE • Zinnias generally take 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions). RECOMMENDED VARIETIES • Get a full-size flower on a compact plant with cultivars of the Dreamland Series. Dwarf and compact, these zinnias have fully double flowerheads, to 4 inches across in a wide color range; stems are 8–12 inches tall. • The Thumbelina Series cultivars are dwarf and spreading, with single or semi-double, weather-resistant flowerheads in many colors. Their petals are 1-¼ inch across and stems grow up to 6 inches long. • The State Fair Series are the biggest and tallest of them all, with large, double flowerheads that are 3 inches across. Stems grow to 30 inches tall. WIT & WISDOM • The small, narrow-leaf zinnias make nice dried flowers, too. • It is said that zinnias symbolize thoughts of absent friends. Learn about more flower meanings here.
