Zinnia Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose' (Benary's Giant Series)

Water

Zinnia, commonly known as Zinnia, should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth; aim for about 1 inch of water per week either from rainfall or supplemental watering. It's important to water the zinnias at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. During hot or dry periods, watering may need to be increased to twice a week. Always check the top inch of soil before watering—if it's dry, it's time to water. Be generous when watering, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil rather than simply wetting the surface.

Light

Zinnias thrive in full sun, so place them in a spot where they will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Too little light can result in leggy plants with poor flowering. They can tolerate partial shade but will perform best and produce the most blooms in full sun conditions.

Temperature

Zinnias prefer warm conditions and do not tolerate frost. The ideal temperature range for growing zinnias is between 60°F and 85°F. They can survive maximum temperatures well into the 90s, as long as they are well watered, and have a minimum temperature threshold of about 50°F at night. Zinnias will stop thriving if temperatures consistently fall below this range.

Pruning

Zinnias should be pruned by deadheading, which means removing spent flowers to encourage more blooms and extend the blooming period. Regular deadheading also prevents the plants from putting energy into seed production. The best time to prune zinnias by deadheading is throughout the blooming season, as soon as the flowers begin to fade.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Zinnias thrive in rich, well-draining soil. A good mix for Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose' consists of loamy or sandy soil amended with compost or well-rotted manure. Maintaining a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5 is ideal for these flowers, leaning towards the neutral or slightly acidic range for best growth and flower production.

Repotting

Zinnias, particularly Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose', are typically grown as annuals and do not require repotting. Instead, they are sown directly where they are to flower, as they have a preferable single growing season and do not respond well to transplanting due to their sensitivity to root disturbance.

Humidity & Misting

Zinnias favor moderate ambient humidity and do not have strict humidity requirements. However, it is crucial to avoid excessive humidity, which can promote fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Providing good air circulation around Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose' can help maintain healthy humidity levels around the plants.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light, well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, moist soil, and space out for air circulation.

• Hardiness zone

  2-11 USDA

Life cycle

Zinnia elegans, commonly known as Zinnia, begins its life cycle as a seed which, when sowed and exposed to favorable conditions of warmth and moisture, germinates within 5 to 7 days. The seedling emerges and grows into a young plant with a set of true leaves, requiring full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. As it matures, the plant enters a vegetative stage, producing a robust stem and a lush canopy of lance-shaped leaves. Following vegetative growth, Zinnia elegans enters the flowering stage, characterized by the appearance of large, vibrant 'Salmon Rose' blooms that attract pollinators and may continue throughout the growing season. After pollination, flowers will eventually fade, and the plant will produce seeds in the flower head, marking its reproductive phase. The plant reaches the end of its life cycle when it sets seed, and if not deadheaded, it can self-sow, leading to new plants in the following growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Propogation: The Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose', commonly referred to as zinnia, is most commonly propagated through seeds. Seed propagation is favored due to its simplicity and high success rate. To propagate zinnias by seed, sow them directly into the soil after the last frost when the soil has warmed up, preferably at a depth of about a quarter of an inch (approximately 6 millimeters). They require a sunny spot and well-drained soil for optimal growth. The seeds typically germinate within 5 to 7 days at temperatures around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius). Thin the seedlings once they reach about 3 inches (around 7.5 centimeters) tall, spacing them 6 to 18 inches (15 to 46 centimeters) apart depending on the variety. This method is not only effective for home gardeners but also for commercial cultivation due to its straightforwardness.