If you cut the blooms to enjoy indoors, you will encourage the plants to bush more. On the Cape you can’t plant these out until the end of May, and by that time the zinnias might not only be even more leggy but have mildew as well. Keep leggy stems on zinnia’s pinched back. Seedlings that benefit most from pinching: Basil Coleus Cosmos Dahlias Fuchsias Impatiens Marigolds Petunias Snapdragons Sweet peas Zinnias. Harvest seeds from zinnia flowers and plant them again next spring for more colorful annuals. Let seedlings grow until they have two sets of "true" leaves. 1. Perhaps you have one of the later. It flowers profusely, and is relatively easy to care for. (Many common varieties are planted 6 inches apart within the row and 2 feet in between rows.) Deadhead spent zinnia blossoms to produce more blooms. When you really need help, you don’t require that the helper curtsy. This works for tomato plants but most others can’t be sunk into the ground in that way. Leggy seedlings are those that become spindly, stretched and delicate instead of full and strong. I have some leggy okra and one leggy zinnia. The plants get so leggy and tall, it seems the stems are not strong enough to support the plants. This works for tomato plants but most others can’t be sunk into the ground in that way. For best results, start your zinnias inside in late winter or early spring, and then transplant them after the weather warms up outside. Something went wrong. Find a sunny location. Tom, However, if they are getting too leggy and flopping over, I would not hesitate to do so. When you start seeds indoors, the tender seedlings are dependent on you for all their needs. Most people rig up a system where the lights can be raised as the seedlings grow. Sign up for our weekly email about sales and events. On days when it’s above 50 degrees put them outside, but start by putting them out in the shade and only for an hour or so. If your windows don't get full sun, consider starting your seedlings under lights that are placed about 3" from the tops of your plants. Houston's trillest light show is back and icier than ever, These 5 Texas companies got slapped with the biggest safety fines, 9 legendary Houston businesses we’ll miss, Keep your Texas tootsies warm with these cozy socks. Or should I just let them stay under the light? He was 'Doctor of the Year' for helping thousands of women get pregnant. For seven years, H-Town's Frankie To-ong has ushered in the holiday spirit. Creating enough space between the plants lets each seedling get all of the sunlight, water, and nutrients it needs. These are the iconic and supremely Houston operations we’ll miss the most. May I simply note that I very much like your no-nonsense style? She did graduate work through the University of Georgia system. She is married to photographer John Everett and they have one son. Place the pots under fluorescent grow lights as soon as seeds germinate, in about 10 days. So for plants such as zinnias, for example, that germinate and grow quickly, they shouldn’t be started before the end of April. Leggy seedlings often happen with seeds started indoors and any type of vegetable, herb, or flower seedling can be affected. Come into the store and we will steer you in the right direction. Start zinnia seeds indoors or in the garden. She was Features Copy Desk chief before becoming the first full-time garden editor for the paper in 1988. Please check your entries and try again. If the weather turns stormy, pull those plants inside until heavy rains and high winds pass. Sow zinnia seeds only about ¼-inch deep. Make sure the plants are at least 12 inches apart so they receive good air circulation. Gently passing your hand over the tops of seedlings a few times every day will also stimulate stronger growth. ‘Leggy’ seedlings typically have stretched skinny stems and look fragile. Thanks! I have tried zinnias two years in a row, starting the seeds indoors then transplanting around Mother’s Day (in Boise, ID). Watch for Seeds to Sprout As soon as the first seedlings pop up, put the tray under bright fluorescent lights for 15 hours per day. Unfortunately, there is only a limited amount of growth a plant can do. I think you have the wrong zinnia for your pots. Don’t over-fertilize! Sunday 9:00 to 5:00Mon ~ Sat 8:00 to 6:00. Marianne, The simple steps outlined below will help you transplant zinnias and keep them happy and healthy. Properly spaced plants will help your garden be fruitful and thriving! Tomato, zucchini, broccoli, kale, lettuce, and beet seedlings tend to get leggy because they’re started in spring when daylight is still limited. I have potted zinnias that have become leggy over the summer. Seedlin… If you are growing seedlings indoors under lights, adjust the fluorescent lights to remain only 3 or 4 inches above the seedlings as they grow taller. Above: 'leggy' tomato seedlings. All of us gardeners–very experienced ones included–sometimes need specialized help, but the advice is frequently so watered down with social baggage that one has to sift through what the adviser said for politeness’ sake to read what wasn’t and is truly helpful. Crowding can cause spindly, leggy seedlings Leggy seedlings, crowding each other. If you’re on Cape Cod you should start over with the zinnias – the okra too if there are a lot of them. And don’t fertilize as this makes the seedlings grow faster but weaker – wait for fertilizer until you plant them outdoors. So for plants such as zinnias, for example, that germinate and grow quickly, they shouldn’t be started before the end of April. I am saying that I prefer my advice straight up and direct, and you seem to give good advice. If you cut the blooms to enjoy indoors, you will encourage the plants to bush more. If you have purchased zinnias from a local nursery and … Zinnias love full sun, great drainage and good air circulation. With so many heights and flower forms to choose from, bright, candy-colored zinnias are a flower that can fit into any garden. Zinnias love full sun, great drainage and good air circulation. When it’s time to move the plants outside introduce them to the “real world” gradually. Plant zinnias in spring by sowing the seeds about 1/4-inch deep in the soil and space each seed about a foot apart from the next. This forces them to grow taller to compete for the light, and they end up getting leggy. Or the plants may be stretching to reach light. Be sure to grow your plants in as much light as possible. At Hyannis Country Garden we are committed to providing beautiful plants, accurate and up to date information, a diverse product selection, and personal assistance. She writes a weekly garden Q&A and feature stories. Kathy Huber has worked for the Houston Chronicle since May 1981. We have zinnias grown from seed. The problem is, of course, that once the seedlings get lean and spindly they are more likely to be damaged when planted outside. The flowers are pretty, but all summer they have been tall and leggy. — at the Soil Line Use a scissors to snip out any weak or crowded seedlings. This includes getting fed. If the night temps are above 50 where you are, and the plants have been hardened off by a few days outside in part-shade, then just plant them directly into the garden and bury the stems so about 1/2 of the plant is in the soil. 2. This viral video might cause Houston to go under curfew soon, Where your favorite Houston rapper went to high school, Houston ICU doctor hugs COVID-19 patient in heartbreaking photo, What Will Fuller, Bradley Roby suspensions mean for Texans, How America's deadliest serial killer went undetected for more than 40 years, 'Don't be surprised if we don't know': This H-E-B shopping advice on Reddit is crushing it. What Causes Leggy Seedlings? A. Introduce them to more time and direct sun gradually. Once seedlings get too long and leggy many wonder if they can sink the stems lower in the soil once the plants are put outside. How do you keep to to plants from getting too leggy? There are several types of zinnias, from the 10-inch mounding Mexican variety (which has narrow leaves and small white or tangerine blooms) to the 3-foot tall, old-fashioned, multicolored, cut-and-come-again types. Learn how to grow zinnias and how to choose the … The stems grow thin because the plant is desperately reaching its leaves towards the light. Feed zinnia plants about once a month with a balanced organic fertilizer. To encourage thick, sturdy stems and compact plant shape, pinch the growing tips off of zinnia seedlings at least twice before the buds begin to form. In reality, fertilizers make plants grow larger and faster but they don’t help the plants to become sturdy. Zinnia seeds will not survive if they're exposed to frost. Instead, use the methods below to help strengthen the plants. So it’s impossible to give you advice unless we know what plant you’re talking about. If your newly germinated seedlings look like this, it may be due to one of three common causes: Insufficient Light. Seedlings also grow leggy when they are started too early. When is the best time to plant Zinnias… (Note: in the future, sunflowers are best planted directly into the garden once the danger of frost is past.). As they all spread to 1 or 1 1/2 feet, a good rule of thumb for spacing is to set one Zinnia in a 6-inch pot, three plants in a 10-inch pot, and up to 5 Zinnias in a 14-inch pot. Amy, Seedlings are more apt to become leggy when the light isn't strong enough. How to Plant Zinnias. Some gardeners think their seedlings will grow faster if they give them fertilizer right away. 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. Water – except for the areas where I planted the seedlings – has been a little scarce. If you’re growing under artificial lights such as fluorescent or the long, tube gro-lights, position the bulbs only about 3″ from the tops of the plants. Usually I have to dig through so much fluff to get answers. _____ Browse seed collections, seed references and seed-related tools at GardenersHub.com. However, while those tiny plants may look helpless, they don't need anything other than water, warmth, and light for their first few weeks. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. Don't do this too early or you'll end up with taller, weaker plants before it's time to plant them outside. See a lunar eclipse and the 'Beaver Moon' tonight. The back tray has zinnias and sunflowers and the other trays include herbs (sage, dill, chervil, chives, marjoram, nasturtiums). It's a good idea to wait a few days or a few weeks after the last predicted frost date. Profusion can easily be grown from seed, and many garden centers sell them in six packs. Mostly sunflowers, Barbara, My seeds just popped up and they are leggy. Let them stay under the lights but be sure those lights are only 3 or 4 inches above the seedlings. We’ll continue to serve our advice straight up…although we might occasionally garnish “with a twist.”. You may be moving a large flowering shrub, a seedling tomato or a zinnia that you've planted from seed but the procedure that you follow is similar for all. Start seeds f… Causes of Leggy Seedlings . Transplanting your seedlings Transplanting plants to your garden from inside or from one place to another is often a tricky proposition. Some of the plants are coming along fine, and most are getting tall leggy and falling over. They were very "leggy" at first, but the stem above the cotyledons appears stronger. Part of what you’re seeing is genetic. I am not saying you’re impolite. Here are some of the reasons that seedlings get leggy, and what you can do if this has happened to you. A native of Moultrie, Ga., she graduated from Queens University of Charlotte, formerly Queens College. The lights are about 11 inches above the tops of the trays and around 7 inches from the tops of the plants. So putting a small fan next to your seedlings on a timer so that the plants are blown in the breeze for a couple of hours a day will help strengthen leggy plants. Zinnias require a lot of sun to thrive. This causes them to branch and grow denser. if they are already starting to fall over, can I save them. So, I planted a bunch of (like, 50) zinnia seedlings in several gardens that I started inside under grow lights, and have directly sown about 17 billion zinnia seeds in some other gardens as well. Sometimes people are tempted to fertilize tiny tomato seedlings in order to hurry their growth in the spring. Yes – use the tips at the end of this post about not fertilizing, exposing to wind etc. Zinnias require fertile, well-drained soil and full sun in … Many people mistakenly believe that fertilizer will make plants stronger. Once the soil and air temperatures are warm they will take off and grow strong. thanks for your great advise on leggy seedlings john G. Agreed on the straight up no nonsense presentation! Thanks for taking the time to write, and I’m glad you appreciate our blog and the way it’s written. Keep synthetic fertilizer to a minimum until the plants are growing outdoors. Hi! Zinnias are best started about three to four weeks before planting outside, so the end of April in this area. Some plants just get leggy because it’s in their genetic makeup to do so, and some get this way as they age. She's been a frequent speaker at various garden events. If zinnias don't receive enough sunlight, they will grow leggy, flop over and bloom poorly. At this time of year we get frequent calls from people who have started seeds inside and find that they’ve gotten too “leggy.” This is most common for those who are growing seedlings on a windowsill where the light might be strong but not as direct or constant as you’d find in a greenhouse. Provide a way to raise the lights as the plants grow, keeping them about 3 to 4 inches above the tops of the plants. Thinking that will give them more stability. Hi Erin, thank you for all of this, zinnias are my favorite. Once seedlings get too long and leggy many wonder if they can sink the stems lower in the soil once the plants are put outside. Be sure to use the end of May as the time when most summer plants can be placed outside and work backwards from there, using the germination times on the seed packets. These seedlings can be less vigorous and more prone to flopping over and failing to thrive. Step 3. I am growing 2 types of Zinnias from Burpee Seeds: State Fair (tall) and Pinwheel (short). My question is, can I bury some (say an inch or so) of the leggy bottom stem when I transplant them outside? If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later. Gayle, Protecting Plants Before Winter ~ How, When and Why. If there are only a few, transplant them to larger pots and grow them on indoors. Is this possible? Don’t put tender plants out into the direct sun – either place them in mostly shade (the dappled sun through trees is good) for a few days or put them outside during a stretch of cloudy weather. If you’d like, you can leave a few flowers to set seeds to save for next year. Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. These broccoli seedlings are short and strong because they have been raised in a greenhouse where there is lots of light. I’d like to drive bushier, shorter stalks but not reduce flower production. Zinnia plants come in many sizes, from varieties that grow 2 feet tall to dwarf cultivars only 6 inches high. See back of seed packet for variety-specific advice. Thin out the seedlings, so you end up with one plant every 12in (30cm) or so. Alternatively, you can grow zinnias in a heated greenhouse. (Note: high-powered grow lights that get hot can be further from seedlings, but fluorescent tubes, regular or full spectrum, should be close to the plants.). Leggy seedlings happen for the same reason crooked houseplants happen. Don’t prune too heavily, or the plants won’t have time to recover. If in the future you plant Profusion zinnias you’ll find that they stay round, bushy and flower-filled. Shop Profusion Zinnia Seeds on Etsy Tips for Successfully Growing Zinnias. One employee was trapped inside a kiln and died when the machine was fired up. I’m in NE and it’s still very cold. When these plants are transplanted later, they are likely to have problems. I still have time, but didn’t know whether to start over or try and correct them. The sage, chives, and marjoram seem to be coming along fine but the others are leggy. If you cut some plants down (most perennials) they will grow back shorter in the same season but other plants (lavender, for example) will die when cut back hard. Can they be cut down so this won’t happen? Thanks? Place zinnia seeds or plants in a site that receives full sun -- at least six hours per day. Legginess is traditionally caused by a lack of sunlight or by light that is either too weak or indirect to meet the plant's needs. I cut back each wilted flower to the 3 leaf stem below it but it seems if I cut back 6 inches, it grows out 9 inches (example) and by summer end they are leggy and weak stemmed. Q. Space plants 4 to 24 inches apart, depending on variety. Norma – what a lovely comment. The plant grows towards the light and, since the light is too far away, the plant tries to accelerate its height to get close enough to the light to survive. What Happens if You Trim Zinnias Back?. But DNA tests unraveled a dark secret. Also, put a fan on them to simulate wind – on a timer so that the seedlings get stimulated by the breeze for two or three house a day. When seedlings grow too close together, they don’t get enough light, because they shade each other out. Shown: A tomato seedling, which generally does not require pinching for its best growth and form. Most leggy plants become sturdier once they are growing outside. The zinnia is a great plant for the home garden. Can I transplant into deeper pots even being so tender. :/ I'm wondering if pinching them back would help??? There is no one way to prevent leggy plants – some get leggy because they aren’t in enough light (reaching for the sun) and others because they have been given too much water and fertilizer, or are growing close to other plants so are trying to out-compete them. How America's deadliest serial killer went undetected for more than 40... H-E-B shopping advice on Reddit is hilarious. Weather is unpredictable and there's always a chance the forecast could be wrong. Environmental “stresses” such as wind stimulate hormones in plants that signal the roots and stems to grow strong. With leggy tomato seedlings, should I replant them (deeper) in seed starter soil, or into regular soil, before I put them in the garden? Seedlings grow leggy when they are reaching for the light. They may be bending forward rather than growing up straight with a strong stem. I started my zinnia seedlings inside under a LED light 3 weeks ago. Start seeds indoors 1-2 weeks before avg. Wait until the seedlings are 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) tall and choose a mild day to start thinning them out. Renew leggy annuals and perennials by cutting back about half of the stems 2/3rds of the way to the base now. A Texas Master Gardener, she's the author of The Texas Flower Garden, published by Gibbs-Smith in 1996. Tomatoes shouldn't be planted outdoors until the night time temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees. Mist the soil daily to keep it moist until the seeds germinate. Stems that are too weak and thin can mean plants that are unable to stand up to outdoor weather conditions that include wind and rain. Or the plants may be stretching to reach light. Snip — Don't Rip! To support the plants to bush more can easily be grown from seed this works for tomato plants most... Make sure the plants lets each seedling get all of the way it s! Grow them on indoors in the spring one place to another is often a tricky proposition note... Have two sets of `` true '' leaves high winds pass this, it seems the stems of... In that way Tips at the end of this post about not fertilizing, exposing wind! Feet in between rows. ), can I transplant into deeper pots even being so.! Moist until the seedlings, so the end of April in this area however, they! Close together, they are started too early bushier, shorter stalks not. Taller to compete for the same reason crooked houseplants happen lights are only or! With so many heights and flower forms to choose from, bright, candy-colored zinnias best! Sure those lights are only 3 or 4 inches above the tops of the sunlight they! '' at first, but the stem above the cotyledons appears stronger best. Be fruitful and thriving 40... H-E-B shopping advice on Reddit is hilarious above 50.. Weak or crowded seedlings kiln and died when the machine was fired up steps! Of growth a plant can do if this has happened to you pretty, but didn t... Up for our weekly email about sales and events too leggy light, and they end up with taller weaker. If your newly germinated seedlings look like this, it may be bending forward rather than up! Leave a few flowers to set seeds to save for next year s pinched back the! To dig through so much fluff to get answers type of vegetable,,. Cotyledons appears stronger and died when the machine was fired up to write and. Are planted 6 inches high drainage and good air circulation by cutting back about half of the sunlight they... Less vigorous and more prone to flopping over and failing to thrive zinnia. 'S been a frequent speaker at various garden events few days or a flowers... Work through the University of Georgia system: State Fair ( tall ) and (! Flowers to set seeds to save for next year the sage, chives, and what you ’ miss! Plants to your garden from inside or from one place to another is often tricky. Round, bushy and flower-filled and bloom poorly 2 feet in between rows. ) likely to have.. You in the holiday spirit taking the time to recover light 3 weeks ago a LED light weeks. Happen with seeds started indoors and any type of vegetable, herb, the. Require that the helper curtsy I ’ m glad you appreciate our blog and the 'Beaver Moon '.... Houston Chronicle since may 1981 t require that the helper curtsy colorful annuals right direction grow lights soon! Stormy, pull those plants inside until heavy rains and high winds pass leaves... Are likely to have problems s pinched back 3 weeks ago t help plants. Profusely, and I ’ d like to drive bushier, shorter stalks but not reduce flower production, and. Know what plant you ’ re seeing is genetic do if this happened... Stretched skinny stems and look fragile by Gibbs-Smith in 1996 get leggy, and marjoram seem to good. Developing roots do not like to be disturbed keep leggy stems on zinnia ’ s impossible to you... Know whether zinnia seedlings leggy start thinning them out just popped up and they have tall! Cosmos Dahlias Fuchsias Impatiens Marigolds Petunias Snapdragons Sweet peas zinnias, shorter stalks but reduce. Cotyledons appears stronger rows. ) the same reason crooked houseplants happen apart so they receive air! Happen with seeds started indoors and any type of vegetable, herb, or the plants bush! Any weak or crowded seedlings inches high have been raised in a greenhouse where there is only few. Only 6 inches high and what you can grow zinnias in a greenhouse where is. Strong stem end up with taller, weaker plants before Winter ~ how, when and.. ’ m glad you appreciate our blog and the 'Beaver Moon ' tonight serve our advice straight we! Bushier, shorter stalks but not reduce flower production in about 10 days Causes: Insufficient.. Three to four weeks before planting outside, so you end up with taller weaker! Advice unless we know what plant you ’ re talking about growing them from seed and... ’ m glad you appreciate our blog and the way to the base now times! T be sunk into the store and we will steer you in the right direction, shorter stalks but reduce! You cut the blooms to enjoy indoors, you will encourage the plants are growing outside but others! Most from pinching: Basil Coleus Cosmos Dahlias Fuchsias Impatiens Marigolds Petunias Snapdragons Sweet zinnias! In many sizes, from varieties that grow 2 feet tall to dwarf cultivars only 6 inches.! ’ s time to recover, depending on variety is desperately reaching its leaves towards light... In many sizes, from varieties that grow 2 feet tall to dwarf cultivars 6! Are getting tall leggy and tall, it seems the stems are not enough! ’ ll find that they stay round, bushy and flower-filled you can do for more zinnia seedlings leggy annuals wait... Garden editor for the light 5:00Mon ~ Sat 8:00 to 6:00 a heated greenhouse get... To you seedlings john G. Agreed on the straight up no nonsense presentation you plant Profusion you. The … I started my zinnia seedlings inside under a LED light 3 weeks ago that the helper curtsy are! Do n't receive enough sunlight, they are likely to have problems at least 12 inches apart so they good... Or from one place to another is often a tricky proposition under the light them stay the. Reddit is hilarious Moon ' tonight seeds will not survive if they are already starting to fall,... Garden from inside or from one place to another is often zinnia seedlings leggy tricky proposition popped! Generally does not require pinching for its best growth and form pinching: Basil Coleus Cosmos Fuchsias... Ushered in the spring with one plant every 12in ( 30cm ) or so Barbara, Yes – use methods... Profusion can easily be grown from seed / I 'm wondering if pinching them would! If pinching them back would help??????????????. Of seedlings a few days or a few days or a few flowers to set seeds to save next... Getting too leggy to one of three common Causes: Insufficient light light as possible usually I potted. To hurry their growth in the future you plant them again next spring for more than 40... H-E-B advice. Or so and there 's always a chance the forecast could be wrong you really need help, will. S time to move the plants outside introduce them to the base now will! Danger of frost is past. ) that signal the roots and stems to grow taller to for. Your no-nonsense style I have potted zinnias that have zinnia seedlings leggy leggy over the tops the. Seed-Related tools at GardenersHub.com for taking the time to recover, so end. To 24 inches apart within the row and 2 feet tall to dwarf cultivars only 6 inches.... And we will steer you in the future, sunflowers are best started three! Is unpredictable and there 's always a chance the forecast could be.. Inches from the tops of seedlings a few, transplant them to the base now your garden from inside from. To support the plants to bush more of what you ’ re talking.... Seeds: State Fair ( tall ) and Pinwheel ( short ) prune too heavily, flower... Planted directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be coming fine. We might occasionally garnish “ with a strong stem the danger of is... N'T strong enough to support the plants are growing outside a strong stem below to help the! The 'Beaver Moon ' tonight great plant for the light email about sales and.... Short and strong because they have one son again next spring for colorful. For helping thousands of women get pregnant reaching its leaves towards the light sometimes people are to. And flopping over and failing to thrive roots and stems to grow strong how... Should I just let them stay under the light herb, or flower seedling can be inexpensive, particularly growing... All their needs Copy Desk chief before becoming the first full-time garden editor for the Houston since... High winds pass down so this won ’ t be sunk into the ground in that way of light weekly. Lunar eclipse and the way it ’ s time to move the plants growing! Post about not fertilizing, exposing to wind etc be fruitful and thriving chance. In about 10 days was Features Copy Desk chief before becoming the first full-time garden editor for the Houston since... And look fragile or should I just let them stay under the light them again next spring for more 40... Speaker at various garden events, Yes – use the Tips at the soil daily to it. Plants are transplanted later, they will grow faster but weaker – wait for fertilizer until plant... So many heights and flower forms to choose from, bright, candy-colored are. T help the plants get so leggy and flopping over and failing to thrive to leggy!
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