I LOVE Zinnias! I grow State Fair Mix, a tall variety that is said to grow 3-4 feet high, but reached 5 1/2 feet this last year. I save seeds every year and can’t have a flower bed without them! They are gorgeous to look at of course but I very much enjoy the pollinators and occasional birds that come for them. I’ve had awful trouble with powdery mildew on Zinnias, but since I moved them this year to a different spot that gets Full Sun, the plants lasted until frost hit here in the western suburbs of Chicago. They bloomed for nearly 6 months, after having been transplanted as rather large specimens. I started them inside under grow lights too early. As you say, 4 weeks is enough!
I am in love with zinnia❤I'm in SoCal and my zinnias germinated and bloomed all fall and am still getting blooms. They took a beating in the summer 100+°for several months and did not die. My favorite flower to grow for sure.
I love Zinnias best, too. When I was young, my grandfather grew them in his vegetable garden. Last year, I fell in love with the salmon rose color, a beautiful peachy color I grew both the Benary's Giant and the Oaklahoma salmon a tiny layered one. Thank you for sharing your love of Zinnias with us.
I love seeing photos of you with the zinnias in your garden. The packs say to space every 12 inches and you mention spacing closer than that. Closer helps with keeping the stems upright, as in your raised garden. On the other hand, the thought is that close spacing contributes to powdery mildew. But I think if you are going to get powdery mildew, you are going to get it regardless of spacing. I think your spacing is perfect for you. The remedy will be growers creating mildew resistant varieties. I'm confident growers are trying hard to do just that.
I’m so excited to try the Zahara zinnias and see how resistant they are to powdery mildew. I’ll be so happy if the frost kills my zinnias instead of the mildew!
One of my favorite, if not my most favorite, flower! Last season, I grew Dbl Zaharia Raspberry Ripple from Johnny’s Seed and Lilliputian Zinnia Mix from CaliKim and planted them all in one giant 24” square container (4 plants each and I supplemented throwing more seed directly in a few weeks after I transplanted them all original 8). I do use a plant support mainly because the pot is in an area I call my wind tunnel. They bloomed gloriously without any signs of powdery mildew. Not sure if it was because of the varieties I used or because of the exposure to wind.
Last year, I planted 10 year old zinnia seeds. I had zinnias growing everywhere! Saved a whole bag of seeds. Then I just ordered a few new packets to get a few other specific colors.
Zinnias are also my favorite flower. I’m now feeling the need to try Thumbelina. I’ve been enabled 😁 FYI, Baker Creek has a Queen Lime zinnia, also in the Queenie series an orange, and lemon. I’m looking forward to your video on Gomphrena, which I figured will be coming.
I grew Mazurkia for first time last season and fell in love. Every year from now on. I think it’s underrated. Thanks for the spotlight. It deserves it 💐. Many dwarves this year too. The big ones take up so much space and my garden is small. Also, the Zowie! Unreal color especially in the fall.
I threw some Thumbelina seeds in a pot in July on the west side of the house, and they all bloomed (way too close together) and were going strong up until I had to dump the pot out to move it inside ahead of the first frost. I have a package of Mizurkia that I'm going to try growing this year. I didn't realize this until I had planted them, but apparently, zinnias are my mom's favorite flower.
Love this, thanks for sharing your faves, your experience growing them, and your tips & tricks☺️. I love zinnias too! I still plan to grow a few varieties this year from seed, definitely the dwarf thumbelina mix, zahara mix, queeny-lime mix, and lilliput mix! I’ve learned that I actually quite like the look of a mix of colours in containers vs just one colour so aiming to do that this year😊
You inspired me to try the queen lime red, and also I'm going to try the oklahoma pink, and the peruviana. I love that picture of you in the pink T-Shirt!
I also grew Floret’s Precious Metals last year and saved seed! Also love the queen lime series and grow one of the series every year. Also love Cool Crayons zinnias from Renee’s Garden Seeds. My favorite zinnia tip is to snip them when they have a couple of sets of leaves; they grow into giant zinnia bushes with lots of branches, more blooms, and don’t need staking! Thanks for this awesome zinnia video today. 👍
I know I should snip my seedlings and idk why but I have trouble snipping tiny plants I feel bad for them 😅…but I will try it this year on a few at least!
The Mazurkia remind me of the Swizzle Cherry and Ivory I just bought from Eden Brothers. This is my first year growing them but the pictures look really alike.
I grow on a balcony, so containers is all I have (36x7.5x6.5). I think because I'm well off the ground, I won't get powdery mildew until very late here in Houston (Sept/Oct). In my variety trialing, I think intermediate sized zinnias do best for me. The dwarf/miniature varieties get crushed by our rain. The giant varieties will *always* try to grow giant 😂 I absolutely must support them, but not as high up as you'd think. I'm extra and make my open supports out of dowl rods, so I usually only support up to 12 inches in a wide grid. It would be a project... But wire cutters and a tomato cage could easily make some nice hoops for pots. Zinnias have the will to grow, but without deep roots...they are Floptina.
We all have different taste's when it comes to what we like growing. My favorites are bushy type and not long stem. You are in the majority for liking Zinnia's.
We grew several Zahara Salmon Zinnia last year and other than just a little early on, they did not have any issues with powdery mildew here in central NC! They were growing next to Queeny Lime Orange (100% germination in coir - seeds were from Park) and Funfair Mix which were both covered in powdery mildew after a month-ish... So we bought the Zahara Fire (orange->red) for this year to go with our Cosmic Red Cosmos. Our Zahara got maybe 12-14" tall and were covered with long lasting blooms. The older blooms actually faded to white very slowly and the plants lasted until our first frost with no signs of powdery mildew. Definitely recommend! But because I refuse to give up on other Zinnias :), we bought Johnny's new Agave (to go with their Shimmer Celosia), Queeny Mix, Benary's Giant Salmon, and Oklahoma Salmon (Ballerina was sold out in the 50 packs when we ordered). Oh, and we got Persian Carpet (Zinnia haageana) to see how they'd do. But I'm starting to think the only "solution," for elegans at least, is to just start another round as soon as you transplant one. Last year I put several out on 8/20 and the powdery mildew *still* took over well before our first frost... Looking forward to seeing which China Asters you're growing! I'm guessing Souffle Light Pink was added :).
I may have to try the Mazurkia variety this summer. One of my favorites is State Fair Mix by Burpee! I've been pouring over my catalogs too - straight to the zinnia section in every one lol.
I was going to say but you got there, when I thin my zinnias quite sternly they have less or no mildew:) Thanks for the video, influenced to look for some dwarf varieties 😂
@ChicagoGardener I scatter plant an area then thin as they come up at least three times. But I'm using my own collected seeds no I don't have to think about the cost:)
I bought Johnnys new double petal zinnias that is similar in pastel colors to Floret but wayy more affordable. I’m excited to try them and compare. I didn’t have such great results with the Florets and they weren’t as consistent 😢. Such bummer for $20 seed packet plus shipping 💀
You have a beautiful selection of seeds. I also got the ballerina zinnias and have not started them yet. I am dealing with powdery mildew on all of my giants that are blooming. Some are in huge pots alone. Warm days in my zone and nights in the 50’s. Are you going to grow more asters. I just planted 5 in one of my only raised beds. Happy 2025!
Zahara zinnias has a more rounded, bedding plant habit than Thumbellinia, definitely more landscape-y, but they are great and WAY less PM than many zinnia varieties, including Thumbellina. Have you tried the Lilliput varieties? Floret used to sell them. Smaller heads like Thumbellinia, but longer stems. I had pretty bad germ on both QLZ varieites and the zinderella last year, but hope springs eternal.
Everyone is making me so excited for the zahara zinnias! I haven’t tried lilliput but someone else mentioned them so maybe that’s a sign to order seeds 🤣
My zinnias do get powdery mildew but towards the end of the season, so I just don't bother treating them. I love Zinnias too 😊 they're so easy, so fuss-free and simply gorgeous! I did not like only 1 type of Zinnia I've grown so far- the Thumbelina type. They were very underwhelming in my opinion. I might have crammed too many in a single planter, I don't know. I don't plan to try them again. Got so many other better varieties to try ❤😊
My florets didn't do as well as I'd hope but I grew in ground. My queeny lime blush was incredible tho! I highly highly recommend profusion (dwarf) zinnias. My queeny didn't have poor germination. I think I'd remember Yeah I've just accepted powdery mildew as a way of life 😄
I did Queeny series ones last year too and yes, new seeds and the germination was beyond disappointing. I got mine from Baker Creek. However, I will say, RARELY am I disappointed in their seeds and I've purchased a LOT from them. So I don't BLAME them. It is interesting to hear you say the same about yours. It must be a variety thing. However, when you pay more for a certain one, you want it to be good germination!
I’m glad to know it’s not just me. Maybe it was an off year? I’m interested to see how they do this year, but I think germination was at 50% for some of them last last year.
I purchased the Mazurkia variety last year as well and did not get to plant it. I was too focused on my Benary's Giants, Queenie's and others. Benary's have always been my top faves. I do not like one called Isabellina. They were just lackluster and gross. However, to be fair, I really can't say I gave them a fair shot as those were ones I chose to just toss out and sprinkle over with soil along my fence line. It's sort of a tougher area. So don't quote me on that forever. I DEFINITELY don't like the Cactus style ones though. The ones that look like the petals are shredded. They grew fine, I just didn't like the look. Powdery Mildew is an EXTREME issue here in Central Florida LOL. Gee I wonder why??? However, because it does get so hot here, a lot of flowers won't bloom in the summer. Zinnia;s are one of the few that will so I will ALWAYS have them. Plus, the pollinators. I Just LOVE watching them on these beauties.
Oh boy this is on my list for the week also…buy seeds🎉! I’m not sure if I will buy Benarys giants again they were amazing and performed all summer but even staked they leaned over into my pathways a lot….also if you’re interested I grew sweet peas for the first time last year using Northlawn Flower farms method and I had them growing like crazy! They were outside in winter temps and grew amazingly! Give it a try using her method if you are interested in sweet peas 😊…I know this is a zinnia video but sweet peas love cooler temps so since you’re I. Chicago I thought I’d mention it!…and whorehouse flowers now that’s funny 😂
I tried sweet peas once and didn’t have good luck but I think you’ve motivated me to try again! I would love to have more cool temp flowers in the garden.
Hi Bethany, even with already having a ton of zinnia seeds leftover - Queenie & Benary giants, I think I’m going to order Ballerina. Using soil blocks under grow lights worked best. I have to second growing sweet peas! The seedlings I put in the ground didn’t flower the way they did in my containers on the patio, with a tall obelisk! Il be repeating those again!
@@ChicagoGardener I had never grown sweet peas but I followed Danielle’s instructions and wow! I had amazing success and more plants than I could use….
You are not growing Magellan! OMG they are amazing. You must try. They are not great cut flowers but they are bigger flowers than the Benary’s on 2ft tall plants. I planted salmon last year and they didn’t get powdery mildew until the nights got cool. Give them a try!
Ahhh! Zinnias! Yes, happiness in the garden!! I'm so relieved to learn I'm not the only zinnia addict!! 😅
At least it’s a fun addiction 🤣
I LOVE Zinnias! I grow State Fair Mix, a tall variety that is said to grow 3-4 feet high, but reached 5 1/2 feet this last year. I save seeds every year and can’t have a flower bed without them! They are gorgeous to look at of course but I very much enjoy the pollinators and occasional birds that come for them. I’ve had awful trouble with powdery mildew on Zinnias, but since I moved them this year to a different spot that gets Full Sun, the plants lasted until frost hit here in the western suburbs of Chicago. They bloomed for nearly 6 months, after having been transplanted as rather large specimens. I started them inside under grow lights too early. As you say, 4 weeks is enough!
I am in love with zinnia❤I'm in SoCal and my zinnias germinated and bloomed all fall and am still getting blooms. They took a beating in the summer 100+°for several months and did not die. My favorite flower to grow for sure.
Zinnias are the queen of the garden!!!! You must have some master plan to fit all those babies in the raised beds!!! 😊
I’m going to try my best to fit them all. I always somehow find a way 🤣
Thank you for the valuable information with this video. Plan on planting a ton of zinnas this year❤😊
I hope they bloom beautifully for you!!!
I love Zinnias best, too. When I was young, my grandfather grew them in his vegetable garden. Last year, I fell in love with the salmon rose color, a beautiful peachy color I grew both the Benary's Giant and the Oaklahoma salmon a tiny layered one. Thank you for sharing your love of Zinnias with us.
I love that! So many of the things I grow in my garden are because of memories of my grandparents garden as well.
Johnny's seeds have the new Aurora zinnias. I really want to try them
Omg I just looked those up and I think I need them!
I love zinnia too, they are definitely a favorite of mine. I love watching your flower planning videos. Thank you.
January is all about planning for me but once garden season starts I sometimes ignore everything I planned 😆
I love seeing photos of you with the zinnias in your garden. The packs say to space every 12 inches and you mention spacing closer than that. Closer helps with keeping the stems upright, as in your raised garden. On the other hand, the thought is that close spacing contributes to powdery mildew. But I think if you are going to get powdery mildew, you are going to get it regardless of spacing. I think your spacing is perfect for you. The remedy will be growers creating mildew resistant varieties. I'm confident growers are trying hard to do just that.
I’m so excited to try the Zahara zinnias and see how resistant they are to powdery mildew. I’ll be so happy if the frost kills my zinnias instead of the mildew!
One of my favorite, if not my most favorite, flower! Last season, I grew Dbl Zaharia Raspberry Ripple from Johnny’s Seed and Lilliputian Zinnia Mix from CaliKim and planted them all in one giant 24” square container (4 plants each and I supplemented throwing more seed directly in a few weeks after I transplanted them all original 8). I do use a plant support mainly because the pot is in an area I call my wind tunnel. They bloomed gloriously without any signs of powdery mildew. Not sure if it was because of the varieties I used or because of the exposure to wind.
Hi 😊 I am trying for the first time this year, Double Zahara Raspberry Ripple, Bernard's Giant Carmine Rose and Oklahoma Pink!
Last year, I planted 10 year old zinnia seeds. I had zinnias growing everywhere! Saved a whole bag of seeds. Then I just ordered a few new packets to get a few other specific colors.
Zinnias are also my favorite flower. I’m now feeling the need to try Thumbelina. I’ve been enabled 😁 FYI, Baker Creek has a Queen Lime zinnia, also in the Queenie series an orange, and lemon.
I’m looking forward to your video on Gomphrena, which I figured will be coming.
A gomphrena video is definitely on the way!
I grew Mazurkia for first time last season and fell in love. Every year from now on. I think it’s underrated. Thanks for the spotlight. It deserves it 💐. Many dwarves this year too. The big ones take up so much space and my garden is small. Also, the Zowie! Unreal color especially in the fall.
Now I’ve just added Zowie to my cart 😆
I threw some Thumbelina seeds in a pot in July on the west side of the house, and they all bloomed (way too close together) and were going strong up until I had to dump the pot out to move it inside ahead of the first frost. I have a package of Mizurkia that I'm going to try growing this year.
I didn't realize this until I had planted them, but apparently, zinnias are my mom's favorite flower.
This makes me so excited to try them this year!!!
@@ChicagoGardener Oh, I meant to ask - can you press them?
Love this, thanks for sharing your faves, your experience growing them, and your tips & tricks☺️. I love zinnias too! I still plan to grow a few varieties this year from seed, definitely the dwarf thumbelina mix, zahara mix, queeny-lime mix, and lilliput mix! I’ve learned that I actually quite like the look of a mix of colours in containers vs just one colour so aiming to do that this year😊
The lilliput mix looks beautiful!!
I absolutely love Zinnias!! The Double Zaharas are great for a border or in front of a taller variety.
I am so excited to try them!!
Wow these are beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you like them!
You inspired me to try the queen lime red, and also I'm going to try the oklahoma pink, and the peruviana. I love that picture of you in the pink T-Shirt!
Thank you!! Let me know how to Queeny seeds germinate for you.
I also grew Floret’s Precious Metals last year and saved seed! Also love the queen lime series and grow one of the series every year. Also love Cool Crayons zinnias from Renee’s Garden Seeds. My favorite zinnia tip is to snip them when they have a couple of sets of leaves; they grow into giant zinnia bushes with lots of branches, more blooms, and don’t need staking! Thanks for this awesome zinnia video today. 👍
I know I should snip my seedlings and idk why but I have trouble snipping tiny plants I feel bad for them 😅…but I will try it this year on a few at least!
Pinching and thinning are always hard for me to do 🤣
The Mazurkia remind me of the Swizzle Cherry and Ivory I just bought from Eden Brothers. This is my first year growing them but the pictures look really alike.
They look so similar! Now I’m tempted to get them both and see how they compare even though there is no room 🤣
I grow on a balcony, so containers is all I have (36x7.5x6.5). I think because I'm well off the ground, I won't get powdery mildew until very late here in Houston (Sept/Oct).
In my variety trialing, I think intermediate sized zinnias do best for me. The dwarf/miniature varieties get crushed by our rain. The giant varieties will *always* try to grow giant 😂 I absolutely must support them, but not as high up as you'd think. I'm extra and make my open supports out of dowl rods, so I usually only support up to 12 inches in a wide grid.
It would be a project... But wire cutters and a tomato cage could easily make some nice hoops for pots. Zinnias have the will to grow, but without deep roots...they are Floptina.
I love zinnias but mine always succumb to powdery mildew. Might try to find more varities that are resistant.
I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that the Zahara zinnias resist the powdery mildew!
We all have different taste's when it comes to what we like growing. My favorites are bushy type and not long stem. You are in the majority for liking Zinnia's.
I love seeing how everyone’s taste impacts their garden!
We grew several Zahara Salmon Zinnia last year and other than just a little early on, they did not have any issues with powdery mildew here in central NC! They were growing next to Queeny Lime Orange (100% germination in coir - seeds were from Park) and Funfair Mix which were both covered in powdery mildew after a month-ish... So we bought the Zahara Fire (orange->red) for this year to go with our Cosmic Red Cosmos. Our Zahara got maybe 12-14" tall and were covered with long lasting blooms. The older blooms actually faded to white very slowly and the plants lasted until our first frost with no signs of powdery mildew. Definitely recommend!
But because I refuse to give up on other Zinnias :), we bought Johnny's new Agave (to go with their Shimmer Celosia), Queeny Mix, Benary's Giant Salmon, and Oklahoma Salmon (Ballerina was sold out in the 50 packs when we ordered). Oh, and we got Persian Carpet (Zinnia haageana) to see how they'd do. But I'm starting to think the only "solution," for elegans at least, is to just start another round as soon as you transplant one. Last year I put several out on 8/20 and the powdery mildew *still* took over well before our first frost...
Looking forward to seeing which China Asters you're growing! I'm guessing Souffle Light Pink was added :).
Omg I literally just ordered the soufflé light pink a few days ago 🤣
I may have to try the Mazurkia variety this summer. One of my favorites is State Fair Mix by Burpee! I've been pouring over my catalogs too - straight to the zinnia section in every one lol.
That mix is so pretty! I may have to add it to my cart.
I was going to say but you got there, when I thin my zinnias quite sternly they have less or no mildew:)
Thanks for the video, influenced to look for some dwarf varieties 😂
How far apart do you plant your zinnias? Maybe I need to give them more space.
@ChicagoGardener I scatter plant an area then thin as they come up at least three times. But I'm using my own collected seeds no I don't have to think about the cost:)
The profusion series is short a don’t get powdery mildew for me. Super Florific
Thank you! I’ll have to try that one.
I bought Johnnys new double petal zinnias that is similar in pastel colors to Floret but wayy more affordable. I’m excited to try them and compare. I didn’t have such great results with the Florets and they weren’t as consistent 😢. Such bummer for $20 seed packet plus shipping 💀
You have a beautiful selection of seeds. I also got the ballerina zinnias and have not started them yet. I am dealing with powdery mildew on all of my giants that are blooming. Some are in huge pots alone. Warm days in my zone and nights in the 50’s. Are you going to grow more asters. I just planted 5 in one of my only raised beds. Happy 2025!
I'm growing so many asters this year, more than I have space for! They'll be my next haul video next week.
@ so many flowers to grow.
@ Did you get the carmine rose asters from Baker Creek?
Zahara zinnias has a more rounded, bedding plant habit than Thumbellinia, definitely more landscape-y, but they are great and WAY less PM than many zinnia varieties, including Thumbellina. Have you tried the Lilliput varieties? Floret used to sell them. Smaller heads like Thumbellinia, but longer stems. I had pretty bad germ on both QLZ varieites and the zinderella last year, but hope springs eternal.
Everyone is making me so excited for the zahara zinnias! I haven’t tried lilliput but someone else mentioned them so maybe that’s a sign to order seeds 🤣
My zinnias do get powdery mildew but towards the end of the season, so I just don't bother treating them. I love Zinnias too 😊 they're so easy, so fuss-free and simply gorgeous! I did not like only 1 type of Zinnia I've grown so far- the Thumbelina type. They were very underwhelming in my opinion. I might have crammed too many in a single planter, I don't know. I don't plan to try them again. Got so many other better varieties to try ❤😊
I’m interested to see how I like the thumbelina since they’re so small.
It could be your summer rain and humidity causing powdery mildew. I wonder if compost tea might help.
My florets didn't do as well as I'd hope but I grew in ground. My queeny lime blush was incredible tho! I highly highly recommend profusion (dwarf) zinnias. My queeny didn't have poor germination. I think I'd remember
Yeah I've just accepted powdery mildew as a way of life 😄
I think I just have to give into the powdery mildew too 😆
China asters! Can you do a video on how you grow those? Im haveing the darndest time with them
That video is coming next week! What have been having a hard time with? I’ll make sure to include those tips!
MIgardener talks about a preventative spray of baking soda. He's referring to veggies but I think it would work as well for Zinnias
I’ll have to look up his video!
I did Queeny series ones last year too and yes, new seeds and the germination was beyond disappointing. I got mine from Baker Creek. However, I will say, RARELY am I disappointed in their seeds and I've purchased a LOT from them. So I don't BLAME them. It is interesting to hear you say the same about yours. It must be a variety thing. However, when you pay more for a certain one, you want it to be good germination!
I’m glad to know it’s not just me. Maybe it was an off year? I’m interested to see how they do this year, but I think germination was at 50% for some of them last last year.
Maybe move to an arid place like Nevada.
I purchased the Mazurkia variety last year as well and did not get to plant it. I was too focused on my Benary's Giants, Queenie's and others. Benary's have always been my top faves. I do not like one called Isabellina. They were just lackluster and gross. However, to be fair, I really can't say I gave them a fair shot as those were ones I chose to just toss out and sprinkle over with soil along my fence line. It's sort of a tougher area. So don't quote me on that forever. I DEFINITELY don't like the Cactus style ones though. The ones that look like the petals are shredded. They grew fine, I just didn't like the look. Powdery Mildew is an EXTREME issue here in Central Florida LOL. Gee I wonder why??? However, because it does get so hot here, a lot of flowers won't bloom in the summer. Zinnia;s are one of the few that will so I will ALWAYS have them. Plus, the pollinators. I Just LOVE watching them on these beauties.
My zinnia beds are always covered in pollinators and it makes me so happy! What are your favorite colors of the Benary’s zinnias?
Oh boy this is on my list for the week also…buy seeds🎉! I’m not sure if I will buy Benarys giants again they were amazing and performed all summer but even staked they leaned over into my pathways a lot….also if you’re interested I grew sweet peas for the first time last year using Northlawn Flower farms method and I had them growing like crazy! They were outside in winter temps and grew amazingly! Give it a try using her method if you are interested in sweet peas 😊…I know this is a zinnia video but sweet peas love cooler temps so since you’re I. Chicago I thought I’d mention it!…and whorehouse flowers now that’s funny 😂
I tried sweet peas once and didn’t have good luck but I think you’ve motivated me to try again! I would love to have more cool temp flowers in the garden.
Hi Bethany, even with already having a ton of zinnia seeds leftover - Queenie & Benary giants, I think I’m going to order Ballerina. Using soil blocks under grow lights worked best. I have to second growing sweet peas! The seedlings I put in the ground didn’t flower the way they did in my containers on the patio, with a tall obelisk! Il be repeating those again!
@@ChicagoGardener I had never grown sweet peas but I followed Danielle’s instructions and wow! I had amazing success and more plants than I could use….
Execelente
You are not growing Magellan! OMG they are amazing. You must try. They are not great cut flowers but they are bigger flowers than the Benary’s on 2ft tall plants. I planted salmon last year and they didn’t get powdery mildew until the nights got cool. Give them a try!
I just looked these up and they look so pretty in pots!!!