101 | Zinnias & Snapdragons : Update 01

The zinnias and snapdragons have been growing well together and despite being battered by storm Everet, they have not only survived but are now thriving. Lots of TLC was needed to keep them happy. There were pest problems, periodic staking was needed from time to time and bespoke watering was needed in dry spells. Once those issues were sorted out we were seeing lots of happy butterflies and bees and beautiful continuous blooms.

Staking zinnias 

The zinnias were amazing! They settled in very well after being transplanted and began pushing out new growth in a couple days. Half of them were strong enough to resist the strong winds and heavy rainfall but the others needed staking. If left unstaked, the main stem will continue to grow but the new growth will grow upright creating a bent plant. I had to stake them quickly (I never passed 3 days) so that the new growth will correct itself whilst it’s still tender.

Zinnia pest issues

I began to see chewed leaves just days after planting them out and it was only in week 2 after experiencing heavy rainfall that I discovered what was reeking havoc - tiny snails. I handpicked the ones I found then applied slug pellets around the area. 

July 18 | Holes began appearing on the zinnia leaves

July 30 | Finally discovered what was feasting on the zinnias - tiny snails

Thankfully, aphids and bettles don’t seem to care much for them and once the snail issue is kept in check, they’re pretty much pest free.

Blooming zinnias 

I spotted the first bloom on July 21st, roughly 7 weeks after sowing the seeds indoors. It took another 2 weeks for the first flower to be in full bloom then finally a further 2 weeks for all the zinnias to produce a flush of flowers and continually bloom.

Fertilising zinnias 

Zinnias don’t require fertilising. It truly is a fuss free plant.

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