Cactus Flowered Mix Zinnia Seeds

Sow Zinnia Cactus Flowered mix seeds directly into garden soil after the last frost, once the ground holds above 65°F. Plant each seed a quarter inch deep, 6-9 inches apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart for cutting beds. Germination takes 5 to 10 days in warm soil. Zinnias hate having their roots disturbed, so direct sowing is much better than indoor start. Succession-sow every two weeks until midsummer if you want continuous bloom for hand-picked bouquets right through October.

Cactus Flowered Zinnia plants need full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. They can grow in average garden soil, but give them well-drained loam amended with compost and you will get larger flowers and longer cutting stems. Water deeply at the base once or twice a week, never overhead, as wet foliage causes powdery mildew. A 2-inch layer of mulch holds soil moisture and keeps splash-back off the lower leaves. Feed your zinnias with balanced fertilizer at planting and again at first bloom.

Deadhead regularly, because Zinnia Giant Cactus Flowered Mix plants slow down or stop producing the moment they set seed. Pinch the central stem above the third set of leaves when seedlings reach 6 to 8 inches tall to get a bushy plant with doubled bloom count. Cut fully open and firm flowers for the vase in the morning. Leave a couple of late blooms on the plant in autumn if you want to save your own seed for next year.