Cultivating zinnias is a simple and rewarding way to give the garden a summer full of colorful flowers. Few attention is enough to obtain cheerful, lively and always in flower flower beds.
Zinnias are perfect for having A summer full of flowers Colorful immediately recalls vivid images: sunny days, smell of wet earth and butterflies that set off on the petals. There is something reassuring and almost poetic in these flowers. Maybe they will not have the exotic charm of the orchids or the elegance of the roses, but have their own character. A few specimens are enough to turn on the entire garden, as if someone had overturned a palette of colors directly on earth.
There are those who consider them “simple flowers“, But what does it mean really simple? To look at them well, those lively petals, the perfect symmetry, the light contrasts … they seem designed to attract attention. And they do it, and how do they do it. The beauty is that they do not ask for too much in exchange. There is no green thumb or who knows what experience: with a little patience and a pinch of care, the zinnie repay with a generous flowering, When the first autumn leaves begin to fall.
In the end, everything is reduced to this: to know theirs a minimum habitsobserve them as they grow and let themselves be surprised by their energy. And who knows, maybe even those who have never put their hand in the garden will discover how rewarding it can be to cultivate them. But why the zinnias? Perhaps for their innate resistance, or for the infinite variety of colors and shapes they manage to give. The fact is that, once discovered, it is difficult to do without it.
So why not try to find out how to cultivate them better?
Everything you need to cultivate zinnias in the garden
To start with the cultivation of zinnias, a few fundamental elements are enough. When we talk about starting with zinnias, the choice of semi It’s like leafing through a catalog of colors: there is something for all tastes. Some varieties are small and compact, perfect for giving life to balconies and borders, while others rise proud over the rest of the garden, creating movement and visual depth. There are single, double flowers, with thin or curled, smooth or jagged petals … Really, there is to be lost in the embarrassment of the choice.
The zinnias, then, they have a weakness for the sun. They need full light to give their best, otherwise they risk being shy and a little dull. The ground? It must be well drained, a little rich but without exaggerating. If it is too compact or tends to retain water, it is better to lighten it with a little sand or compost. In practice, they want “dry feet and head in the sun”.
As for the sowing zinniasthe right time comes with spring, when night temperatures no longer go too far. You can sow directly on the ground, at little depth, even if only half a centimeter. How much space to leave between one seed and another? It depends: for a more orderly effect you can keep on 20-30 cm, while for a more spontaneous result there are those who spread the seeds with an almost random gesture, and let nature do the rest.
A little trick: water immediately after sowinggently, and then have some patience. When the first shoots sprout, there is always a pinch of wonder. Even if you have already seen dozens of times.
A useful trick? Gently wet the ground After sowing and then let the sun and nature do. In a few days the first shoots will appear.
Lush zinnias: cure, pruning and small secrets
Once sprouted, zinnias grow rather quickly. But for keep them healthy and flowerythere are some precautions to follow.
- Irrigation: Despite being resistant to drought, in the hottest periods the zinnias appreciate regular watering. Better to water at the base to prevent the leaves from resting wet too long.
- Fertilization: A light fertilizer every two weeks can stimulate flowering. It is not necessary to exaggerate: too rich soil risks promoting more leaves than flowers.
- Pruning: Removed the dried flowers (“Deadheading”) is essential. Thus the plant is stimulated to produce new buds, preventing it from waste energy in the seeds.
- Disease control: Zinnias can be subject to Oidio or aphids, especially if the humidity is high. Just observe the plants often and intervene immediately with natural remedies or, if necessary, targeted treatments.
An interesting detail is that zinnias, despite being robust plants, respond very well to the careful care. You can immediately notice the difference between a plant left to itself and a following with dedication.
Why choose Zinnias to color the summer
What makes zinnias really special It is not only their ease of cultivation, but also the aesthetic impact they manage to create. A flowerbed full of zinnie in flower resembles almost a paletter of a painter, where each flower is a brushstroke of color.
They are flowers that know surprise: Some have full colors, others shaded, still others seem to mix two or three shades in the same petal. It is not uncommon to find varieties that change color with the age of the flower, giving unexpected effects. And then, attract butterflies, bees, small pollinating insects: a way to make the garden not only more beautiful, but also more alive.
Furthermore, they lend themselves very well to creation of summer bouquets. Their rigid drums and compact corollas last long in the water and easily combine with other cutting flowers. Double satisfaction: they are grown in the garden, they gather to bring a touch of summer even inside the house.
After all, choose to grow zinnie It is a small gesture that can make a big difference. A simple, natural, colorful choice. So why not start right from here to renew the summer?
Photo © Stock.adobe
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