Zinnia

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Jan 4, 2016.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Another one I know nothing about - what are they like? Easy/hard/fussy? And what is their performance like?
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Another one I like.
    Was always a problem to grow, I found.
    My sister had some real good ones last summer.

    Again thinking they have come up with strains more suited to the UK climate.

    Can remember when fibrous begonias were hit and miss from seed, now days they are a doddle.:smile:
     
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    • strongylodon

      strongylodon Old Member

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      Another sun and heat lover @fat controller. A heated prop is best for good germination and not too damp when growing on. One of those plants for a 'hot' bed (as in full sun) as they have such strong colours.
      Not the easiest of bedding plants to grow, like Salpiglossis, they can be prone to wilt but if you like a challenge........:smile:
       
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      • CanadianLori

        CanadianLori Total Gardener

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        I grew these in pots and from seed I collected. They were very easy to grow and they were hung in full sun from about noon through sundown.
         
      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        I was thinking of them for the south facing border, so that should afford them about the right amount of sun. I am going off the idea of Salpigosis
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        Personally I dont think there is much between the two regarding conditions.

        Salpiglosis probably have more flowers, but Zinnia flowers last longer.

        If you just want reliable colour, bedding Dahlias might fit the bill.
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          Thanks @pete - Dahlias are a staple in my garden, in all varieties :) I am looking to mix things up a wee bit though. My current thinking is Sunflowers toward the back; dahlias, lavatera, malva zebrina and zinnia in the middle - punctuated with some ricinus (red), and geraniums and cineraria cirrus toward the front
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Although, unless you have someone looking around who knows, the Zinnias will look like Dahlias, with less foliage.:smile:
             
          • Anthony Rogers

            Anthony Rogers Guest

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            Hi FC,
            I've never had any problem with Zinnias. Just give them a lot of sin and they'll be good.
            As Pete says they are almost identical to Dahlias when they're open but less squishy.
             
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            • Anthony Rogers

              Anthony Rogers Guest

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              :oopss:

              Sorry..... * sun *

              ( although you can let them * sin * if you want to )

              :roflol:
               
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              • Sheal

                Sheal Total Gardener

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                How about Nicotiana or Antirrhinum's FC. Nicotiana are smothered in flowers right through to early autumn and some are perfumed.
                 
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                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                  I've done Nicotiana a few times, and they are generally reliable - I even did a variety that was supposed to be highly scented last year, but never smelt a thing :scratch:; they are OK, but I fancy something different this year

                  Antirrhinum are the same - I get on reasonably well with them, but they never seem to really excel with me, no idea why? Begonias are even worse, I either kill them or at the minimum seem to cast a spell that makes them mediocre at best.
                   
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                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

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                    I'm no good with Begonias either. Calendula are good to flower but they can suffer from mildew.
                     
                  • Anthony Rogers

                    Anthony Rogers Guest

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                    If you want scent as well, how about Carnations. They'll flower well from an early sowing, especially " Chabaud " or the "Knight " series.
                     
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                    • longk

                      longk Total Gardener

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                      If you want a long bloomer with daisy-like blooms what about Coriopsis?

                      Certain Campanula and Penstemon species bloom for a long time and are hardy. Likewise Salvia greggii and S.microphylla.
                       
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