They will not grow to the size, nor bloom well, if at all. See the “How To Choose Which Seedlings To Thin” section above to figure out which seedlings to thin, and which ones to keep. Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days. Burpee Recommends: Spider mites may be controlled with a forceful spray every other day. The seedlings left behind have not quite recovered from my reaching in and pulling out seedlings to transplant. Your email address will not be published. Well-drained soil is important because zinnia seedlings can be prone to rotting in cool, wet soils. Burpee Recommends: Remove infected plants. When it comes to thinning seedlings, the sooner you do it the better. Remove weeds in the area which serve as alternate hosts to the disease. Question From: l. GUERRA - Austin, Texas, United States . For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Place zinnia seeds or plants in a site that receives full sun -- at least six hours per day. Perfect for mixed borders and the cutting garden. This means that, as the seedlings grow into mature plants, their growth will be stunted. Try hot pepper wax or insecticidal soap. Seedlings also love liquid kelp fertilizer or fish emulsion. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees through links to Amazon.com. You could also try to transplant some that you are thinning out. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Plant zinnias in mixed plantings with other summer-blooming annuals, or place small groups of zinnias among perennials. It can be difficult to hear, but it’s something that must be done in order to grow strong, healthy seedlings. Yes, you certainly can try to separate some types of seedlings instead of thinning them out. Thinning seedlings is a common method that’s used to ensure the proper spacing of plants in your garden. But I didn’t throw the ones I pulled out away. Burpee Recommends: Remove infected plants and destroy them. To give your plants a healthy start to life, they need plenty of growing space right from the beginning. Thin early to final spacing to increase air circulation and discourage powdery mildew. Take care not to overwater seedlings; be sure to provide good air circulation and ventilation, so tops of seedlings stay dry and standing moisture is kept to a minimum. The chore of thinning seedlings is essential for healthy plant growth and development, to maximize flower size, and to maximize crop production. Step 3. Thinning Seedlings and Plants Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks in all of the gardening world, is thinning out seedlings. You can practice what is called succession planting where every two weeks seeds are planted ensuring you’ll have a show of zinnias throughout the summer and into early fall. Step 2. © 2020 W. Atlee Burpee & Co. All Rights Reserved. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating. Also, crowded seedlings started indoors won’t get enough air circulation, which can cause mold growth in your seed trays. They cause the foliage to turn yellow and become dry and stippled. Cut stems before the flower is open for cut flowers. It’s too risky, and it’s a total waste of time to plant damaged seedlings that won’t amount to much. Disinfect them by dipping the blades into rubbing alcohol, or use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to wipe the blades. Make sure the plants are at least 12 inches apart so they receive good air circulation. But zinnias are easy to direct sow and bloom fairly quickly from seed so direct sowing may be a better option for some gardeners. Pack the soil loosely with your fingers and water it well. Otherwise, if you just need a quick refresher for growing them indoors, then my Starting Seeds Indoors eBook is exactly what you need. Thinning seedlings is a necessary evil when it comes to growing seeds. Thin to 8 to 18 inches apart, depending upon the variety, once the plant has grown four leaves. Thinning simply means removing some of the plants that are growing too close together so that only one plant is left to grow. They handle hot temperatures and full sun quite well. We know that some of our seeds won’t germinate, so we plant more than one seed per cell to make sure there’s a seedling growing in each one. If all the seedlings look healthy, then cut the smallest ones off at the base. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. Sure, some types of plants tolerate a little crowding. Can I grow zinnias as a houseplant? Step 3. Step 4. Zinnias are considered a “dirty flower” and benefit from a drop or two of bleach in their water. Plant the seeds only about ¼-inch deep. This zinnia easily takes center stage wherever it is planted. Once the Zinnia seedlings are about 3 inches tall, it would help their growth to thin them to 6 inches apart. Thin out the seedlings, so you end up with one plant every 12in (30cm) or so. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations. Germination rates typically vary from 70 to 90 percent, so you should plant more seeds than you think you'll really need. Thinning seedlings to eliminate crowding is also helpful. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations. Water, and when seedlings emerge, thin them out to the desired spacing. Always follow the recommended spacing on the planting instructions. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Eek! They multiply quickly and thrive in dry conditions. Required fields are marked *. That with the fact that my back was killing me and in haste I didn't want to pinch all those itty bitty seeds. They are at home in cottage and children’s gardens, and they are often grown in cutting gardens. Remove spent flower heads to keep plants flowering until fall. You can also wash them off with a strong spray, or use an insecticidal soap. This is especially important for carrots and other root crops. Packet: 15 seeds. Steve demonstrates how to properly thin a variety of crops, including when to know thin and what tools work the best. Thinning out zinnia seedlings. Spider Mites: These tiny spider-like pests are about the size of a grain of pepper. I live on the coast just south of San Francisco. You should use a good quality compost fertilizer on seedlings, which you can get in liquid form or buy compost tea bags to brew your own. Pinch once when seedlings are 6-8" tall to encourage bushiness and thin early to final spacing to increase air circulation and discourage disease. But even so, don’t underestimate the importance of thinning seedlings when it becomes necessary. Many of the best and most unusual varieties of vegetables are simply not available in your local nursery and your only option is growing these plants from seeds. Use the right tool for thinning seedlings – Garden pruning shears are way too big and clumsy to use for this delicate job, and it’s easy to accidentally damage other seedlings in the process. You can also subscribe without commenting. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If zinnias don't receive enough sunlight, they will grow leggy, flop over and bloom poorly. The longer you wait to thin them, the more you risk stunting the growth of your plants (and, when you have a super short growing season like we do here in MN, plants need all the time they can get to grow to maturity). This site uses cookies to enable shopping cart usage, provide you with relevant product and promotions, and measure performance. Find the strongest, healthiest, and most compact seedling in the group, and that’s the one you want to keep. If the stem is droopy or bends, it is not ready to cut. Seedlings will grow weak and leggy when they don’t get enough light. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours. Decide which seedlings to thin out – Choose the strongest seedling in the bunch to keep, and then thin the rest. But I don’t do this much anymore. Sometimes it can be tough to visualize how to thin seedlings correctly. Your email address will not be published. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots. Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Thanks. Step 3. 1. Sow seeds evenly 12 inches apart and cover with ¼ inch of fine soil. Direct sow seeds in average soil in full sun after all danger of frost. They have been in the ground for 2 months & are only 4”. Space 25-30cm (10-12″) between plants. I have planted a rather large zinnia patch along a fence and of course didn't think the seeds would take as beautifully as they have. Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves. Seedlings should have at least two pairs of true leaves and be about 3 to 4 inches (7.5-9 cm.) This is how you know it's time to trim them off and allow the other flowers to shine. Zinnias actually thrive with less water. The photo you see above was shortly after I thinned them out. There are just a few simple steps to fix seedling clumps in the garden. Then we end up with crowded seedlings! Moisten the soil evenly with water before planting the zinnia seeds. Yardner's Advisor Newsletter provides information just for plants in your yard! Seedlings that were sown directly into the garden rather than started indoors should be thinned to the spacing requirements on the seed packets. Powdery Mildew: This fungus disease occurs on the top of the leaves in humid weather conditions. This settles the plants in, drives out air pockets and results in good root-to-soil contact. 3,200 seeds/oz. A new firey-red scabiosa-flowered zinnia with large domed centers, some single forms appear too. I’m a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! It’s best to use natural fertilizers on seedlings rather than chemical ones. I’m glad I found your site, I will try again. Even though the thought of thinning seedlings can be really hard, learning how to thin seedlings is important. Always use a commercial potting mix. Zinnias are attractive to pollinating insects, particularly hoverflies. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. Zinnias require full sun and hot temperatures to grow well and may not perform well in many homes. I live and garden in Minneapolis, MN (zone 4b). Take care not to overcrowd them or the flowers may be significantly smaller than they should be and the plants may be taller. Ht. How to fix it: thin and replant seedlings. Step 2. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and working organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil; then level and smooth. When and how to water. Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil. Here are the steps…. I have had luck with separating some of my seedlings. If you’re thinning seedlings that were started indoors, then you want to thin them so that there’s only one seedling left growing per cell, pellet, or seedling pot. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Follow there rules, they are there for a reason. Spacing: Plant zinnia seeds a few inches apart in rows or clumps. Burpee Recommends: Introduce or attract natural predators into your garden such as lady beetles and wasps who feed on aphids. I got my zinnia seedlings thinned out yesterday. Cut on an angle to give more surface area for the water to be taken up. Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit. When To Transplant Seedlings Into The Garden, How To Grow Peppers From Seed: Complete Guide, How To Prepare Containers For Winter Sowing, Terms Of Use, Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. They may be red, black, brown or yellow. Thinning is necessary when seedlings are growing in a tight group, or there’s more than one seedling growing in a seed tray cell, pellet, or seedling pot. Zinnias attract hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects. Aster Yellows: Plants are stunted, develop witch's brooms (excessive growth), petals turn green and become deformed. Burpee Recommends: Avoid powdery mildew by providing good air circulation for the plants by good spacing and pruning. What Happens If Zinnias Are Not Thinned. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Plus, it’s pretty much impossible to plant tiny little seeds one by one, so we sprinkle them over the top of the dirt instead. So thin out any seedlings that have started to grow tall and leggy. Seedlings that are growing too close together will eventually end up competing with each other (just like weeds compete with our garden plants). They leave a sticky residue on foliage that attracts ants. They suck on the plant juices removing chlorophyll and injecting toxins which cause white dots on the foliage. Evening hours are a good time to thin seedlings as the cooler temps and darker conditions make it easier for the remaining seedlings to bounce back … Always follow the spacing recommendations for each variety. An easy way to do this is to set the flat, pots or tray in a container of water so the water seeps up into the soil. Plant the seeds in a row, 1/2 inch under the soil. Be sure to disinfect your tool before thinning. Aphids: Greenish, red, black or peach colored sucking insects can spread disease as they feed on the undersides of leaves. Perfect for mixed borders and the cutting garden. I’m new to gardening & this teaches me a lot. Gently prick out small seedlings and transplant them into their own cells if you are wary of disposing of extra sprouts. Special offers, discounts, and new products. The … When the light source is too dim or far away, the seedlings kick into survival mode and grow quickly in height to try to get closer to that light. Step 1. The leaves appear to have a whitish or greyish surface and may curl. Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden after the frost. Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Dead head zinnias when they are around 18 inch by snipping the central bud and using them as cut flowers. In a perfect world, every single seed we plant would grow, and it would be super easy to space all of those seeds correctly in the garden from the start. Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Pinch once when seedlings are 6-8" tall to encourage bushiness. Advertisement. Pinch young plants to encourage branching unless you are growing them exclusively for cut flowers and want long stems. Zinnias, our most popular flower seeds, are very easy to start from seed. Raising plants from seeds can be a rewarding and exciting way to add new varieties to your garden. Proper plant spacing is crucial for growing healthy plants (and harvesting tons of amazing food!). Keep them out of the direct sun. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations. Butterflies flutter about these heirloom zinnias. Cut often or deadhead. Zinnias need room to grow, so thin out seedlings no less than 12 inches apart. You'll see seedlings sprout in four to seven days. Zinnias famously hate root disturbance, so it is best to sow directly into freely drained soil with a fine tilth.Sow two or three seeds 2in (5cm) apart at 12in (30cm) spacing. Make sure the seed bed is evenly moist before and after germination. Japanese Beetles: Burpee Recommends: Hand pick early in the morning into a bucket of soapy water. Add some sand if the ground is very moist. It’s a wonderful, comprehensive and completely self-paced online course that will teach you everything you need to know about successfully growing garden seeds. 28–36". Shorter varieties may be tried in a warm sunroom during the summer. tall before thinning. Fertilize the remaining seedlings – Once you’re done thinning your seedlings to the proper spacing, give them a shot of plant fertilizer to give them an extra boost! Step 4. Zinnias are annuals and can go from seed to beautiful cut flowers very quickly. How do I condition my cut zinnia flowers? Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Remove plants after they are killed by frost in fall to avoid disease issues the following year. Bacterial Leaf Spot: First signs are small translucent spots with a broad yellowish edge that slowly enlarge and become angular or irregularly circular with a reddish center. If the stem is stiff and remains erect, it is ready to harvest. Zinnias make terrific cut flowers, and cutting the flowers encourages new blooms. Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit, Sow seeds ¼  inch deep in seed starting formula. Use insecticidal soaps. Seeds sprout in a week or so, forming seedlings that look very fernlike. Step 2. Press soil down firmly with your hand leaving a slight depression around the plant to hold water. But, here in the real world, planting seeds is not an exact science. Zinnias may be started indoors or directly in the garden. Thin seedlings to stand 8-24 inches apart, depending on the variety, when they are about 1-2 inches tall. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. That’s why learning how to thin seedlings is a necessary seed starting evil, and a very important part of successful seedling care. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you aren’t happy with the idea of thinning out your seedlings, try to spread out the seeds you sow. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. To properly deadhead a zinnia, locate flowers that are brown or wilting. So, I thought I’d break it down into simple steps for you to follow, with pictures too (because I’m a visual learner, and some of you probably are too). Monitor for pests and diseases. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones. Water thoroughly, so that a puddle forms in the saucer you have created. Cut the seedlings off at the base – Never try to pull the seedlings out of the soil or you could damage the delicate roots of the other seedlings, which could end up killing them too. Thinning Seedlings. Your browser is currently set to block cookies. Read More... I’m wondering if it’s too late to thin my beets, Swiss chard & carrots? Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Remove infected plant parts and do not work around wet plants. You can usually accomplish this by by gently tipping the container on its side and easing the mass out, pushing up from the bottom as needed. If the seedlings are all the same size, you can just randomly thin them out, or you can give it a bit more time to see if one of them starts to grow larger (but really, in this case, you can’t make the wrong choice, so thin away). If zinnias are planted too closely together they will produce tall plants and much smaller flowers. Thinning Seedlings by Separating Another method used to thin seedlings is by gently separating them. They also spread disease. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot. Step 1. Zinnia may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden after frost, or from potted plants. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Then thin out the others. If you have good conditions for growing them indoors such as plant lights, a heat mat for germination, then you can get a head start by starting them indoors. Rotate crops with plants in a different family. Do not work around plants when they are wet. Enroll and get started today! 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. After about two weeks, thin the seedlings to 8 inches apart. Vegetable plants that are overcrowded don’t produce as much food as ones that have plenty of room to grow, or they might not produce any food at all. Good air movement is also important. This will allow them to take up water through the freshly cut stem. Not watering can delay germination for a week or more. Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions. I would definitely try thinning them out to see if that triggers the others to grow larger. Simply grab the stem about 8 inches (20 cm) down from the flower head and gently shake it. The disease may also affect and disfigure flower heads. This disease is worse in warm, wet or very humid weather. Zinnia seeds can be directly seeded into your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. Shorter zinnia varieties are ideal for containers. Decide which seedlings to thin out – Choose the strongest seedling in the bunch to keep, and then thin the rest. Keep in mind that the tallest seedlings aren’t always the healthiest. Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Provide plenty of air circulation. Firm soil lightly with your hand, water and keep evenly moist. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. Zinnias for pollinators. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. wait until evening, and water them well again. Zinnia (Zinnia hybrids) Check out our Flower & Plant guide. Cut often or deadhead for continuous bloom. Alternaria Leaf Spot: Small, round reddish brown spots with white to gray centers form on the upper surface of the leaves and along the midrib. Plant Your Seeds. Does anyone have a preferred way of thinning? Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. A micro-tip pruning snip or bonsai pruning shears are perfect for thinning seedlings. If you really, really hate the thought of thinning your plants and removing perfectly good seedlings, then the best way to avoid it in the future is to take extra time to space the seeds apart properly when you plant them. If they are overcrowded, then that is probably why they’re still so small. Thinning crowded seedlings ensures that plants have plenty of room to grow. But crowded seedlings will suffer from all kinds of problems if they aren’t thinned out properly. Absolutely stunning, vibrant pink blooms are about 4-5" across, and magnificently full and uniform. Share you tips about how to thin seedlings in the comments section below. Burpee Recommends: Remove affected plant parts, avoid watering at night and getting water on the plant when watering. Chemical fertilizers can cause damage to seedlings, and burn their tiny tender roots. To ensure they can reach the pollen and nectar, grow single-flowered varieties that don’t block pollinator access. My brand new book Vertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! If you pack the soil too tightly, you run a risk of breaking fragile roots, and damaging the plant's ability to draw nutrients out of the soil. Avoid overhead watering. Q: if I don't thin my zinnias what happens? Thin my seedlings?!? Zinnias are grown from seed. If you’re new to growing seeds and want to learn how to grow any plant you want from seed, check out my online Seed Starting Course! Zinnia seeds can also be easily sown directly into the garden bed once the soil has warmed and danger of frost has passed. Taller varieties may benefit from staking, especially if they are in a windy area. Consult your Cooperative Extension Service for other insecticide recommendations. To do this, carefully remove the whole chunk of soil, seedlings and roots out of their small container. Check with your Cooperative Extension Service for miticide recommendations. Should I start my zinnias indoors or outdoors? We recommend planting Zinnia seeds in pots and containers indoors, then transplanting them outdoors. Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. To save the seeds at the end of the season, wait until the flowers finish blooming and then leave them there for the seed pods to develop. I planted them in other pots and a few in the raised garden. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season. Bring a bucket of water with you to the garden when you cut your flowers and put them in the water as soon as you cut them. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. Moisten the soil, then use a soil knife to carefully dig up all the roots of some of the seedling clumps in order to thin and replant them. Do I need to stake my zinnias? It thrives in cooler temperatures. If you decide to wait, then plan to thin out seedlings once they get a few sets of their true leaves, but not more than 3-4 sets. How To Thin Seedlings Step-By-Step Step 1. Use the mist setting on your watering wand so you don’t wash the seeds away or you might end up with clusters of plants and bare spots. One of the main causes of deformed carrots and other root crops is damage to seedling roots when the plants are young. Make sure plants have good air circulation. Burpee Recommends: Remove plant debris. If you don’t know when or how to thin seedlings (or why the heck you need to do it in the first place), then this post is for you! Leafhoppers: Leafhoppers cause injury to leaves and stunt growth. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula. Try using seeds treated with a fungicide. The lesions may encircle the stems and cause wilt. It thrives in cool wet weather conditions. Unfortunately, there’s only so much growing a seedling can do and what it gains in height, it sacrifices in girth, resulting in thin, fragile stems. Plus, the task of carefully separating crowded seedlings is way more tedious than just thinning seedlings. Burpee Recommends: Avoid getting water on the foliage. Botrytis: This fungus causes a grey mold on flowers, leaves, stems and buds. Zinnia seeds can be sown outdoors as early as mid-April through first week of August. After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Have you grown zinnia seedlings? In the event your soil is too moist or prone to drainage problems, pour a small amount of sand into the ground prior to planting to get the soil relatively firm and water-free. Avg. Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. Set seeds about a half-inch deep and a few inches apart. Why are my zinnias tall and thin with much smaller flowers than expected? This virus-like condition is spread by leafhoppers. We have a huge range of sizes, colors, and styles of Zinnia seeds. This allows you to make the proper spacing and not have to thin seedlings. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. I know first hand that thinning seedlings can be a really touchy topic for new gardeners. There is often webbing visible on the plant. Not only will this give them plenty of room to grow, but it also makes it much easier when it comes time to plant them in the garden. Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Control leafhoppers.
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