If you’re looking for a flower that exudes beauty and resilience, look no further than the zinnia. As a passionate gardener, I have always been drawn to these vibrant blooms, and I am constantly in awe of their ability to brighten up any garden. The zinnia is a celebration of life in bloom.
Its vibrant petals unfurl to reveal a spectrum of hues, from fiery oranges to peaceful pinks, exuding a lively energy that is hard to resist. Its head held high, it basks in the sun’s warmth, inviting pollinators to stop and partake in its nectar.
It’s a hardy and resilient flower, that can withstand the summer heat and will continue to bloom until the first frost. In this article, I will share with you my tips and tricks for growing zinnias in your own garden, and how to care for them to ensure a bountiful harvest.
So, join me on this journey of celebrating the beauty and strength of the zinnia flower where I show you how easy it is to harvest the Zinnia seeds so that you can keep growing them year after year.
What do Zinnia seeds look like?
Dried Zinnia seeds are small, arrow-shaped seeds that are formed at the center of the flower head, and at the end of the petals. They have a unique shape that is distinct from the Zinnia flower. These seeds can vary in shape, size, and thickness depending on the variety of the flower.
They are usually brown or dark-colored and have smooth, glossy surfaces. When the seeds are ready to be harvested, you can gently pull the dried petals and the seeds will release from the center of the flower head and be attached to the end of the petals. They are small but durable, able to withstand the test of time, and ready to sprout into a new life when planted.
How to harvest zinnia seeds
To have a truly beautiful garden filled with zinnia plants all season, deadheading is essential. But if you’re planning for next year’s planting – and your wallet isn’t as full of gardening funds as we would hope it to be – don’t forget that some flowers need their “fade gorgeous” moment!
Allow the old blooms to brown out on the plant so they can produce lovely seeds; simply continue deadheading while picking just a few each time to devote solely towards making sweet baby seedlings come springtime.
And here comes the best part: near autumn transition into winter when everything feels like hibernation mode, stop chopping away those buds altogether – let them keep doing what nature tells ’em because soon enough there will be precious poppy-like jewels ready for collection before harsh weather arrives!
If you’re looking to propagate, don’t just go for the biggest flower heads. Opt instead for those that are healthy and full of life – robust plants with compact flowers make great candidates! Make sure there’s no mildew or insect infestation before snipping away as these can lead to poor-quality seeds.
Once your flower’s colors have begun to fade and the center starts drying out, it’s time for you to get busy! Cut off the heads just below their base with no stem attached. Don’t wait for them to turn completely brown – if birds or insects are a nuisance in your garden, go ahead and cut when you notice petals fading away.
The seeds should be dark-brown before they can be harvested – milky white indicates immaturity so avoid those ones until fully developed!
When drying the zinnia petals, don’t assume the color will turn brown – it can still retain some of its original hue! In other words: your garden’s most vibrant blooms may continue to surprise you even in dried form.
How to save and store zinnia seeds
Give your flowers the royal treatment by laying them in a single layer on something with sides. Allow 2-3 weeks for thorough drying, flipping every few days to get all angles fully dried out.
This extra step of air flow will help guarantee that when you pull those seeds from their petals come Springtime, they won’t have been ruined by moldy moisture!
If you’re a keen gardener preparing for the winter, make sure your seeds are stowed away safely! Leave them attached to their petals when storing as this will preserve the seed structure.
You can gently roll each head and let its contents fall out easily or separate petal by petal – either way works! For larger amounts, place heads in bags such as ziplock sacks, brown paper ones or even those usually found with blankets.
To keep it extra secure consider popping these into cool dry jars in your fridge – however precaution must be taken against potential critters taking advantage of yummy snacks too soon…
How to plant zinnia seeds in the spring
Spring is the perfect time to give your garden a makeover! Plant this petal/seed mix in well-drained soil 1/2-1″ deep, keep it moist and within 8-10 days you’ll have yourself an effortless crop of beautiful zinnias that will surely bring envy to all who behold them.
To ensure a diverse range of colors, dig up seedlings when they reach 2 – 3” high then replant them elsewhere without disturbing their main root system – just don’t forget to water if necessary until its firmly established.
Enjoy experimenting with different batches for even more gorgeous results (and perhaps share some saplings with others!).