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Post by gianna on Feb 11, 2024 19:54:15 GMT -5
Florets is more of niche seed seller. They seem to have a group of avid followers, and generally their seed prices have been about 10% higher than other seed companies. I was not a regular buyer, but about 2 years ago I did purchase 2 of their home-bred varieties based on pictures. And back then, they were not that expensive. Maybe $6 for a packet of 50. Their postage is also very reasonable. 2 years ago, these new varieties were literally sold out in an hour or two. After mostly forgetting about them, I got a notification that their home-developed varieties were going to be available again. They had taken a year off to build up stock, etc. These days they are only selling seed of their own varieties. And the Golden Hour that I'd waited 2+ years for was available again, but at about 3 times their old prices. After the initial price shock, I went for it. Sometimes buying something special is absolutely worth it. I just finished mixing a new batch of seed-starting mix, and as soon as they arrive, I'll be planting about a quarter of them. The thrill of the anticipation alone is worth the higher price.
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Post by binnylou on Feb 11, 2024 20:01:47 GMT -5
gianna, sometimes just a Hershey bar will suffice. Sometimes you just gotta have the Godiva chocolates. Enjoy.
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Zinnias
Mar 15, 2024 11:59:38 GMT -5
Post by gianna on Mar 15, 2024 11:59:38 GMT -5
Yesterday I transplanted the Golden Hour zinnia into individual sm pots. They are about 3 inches tall. These are for seed saving cuz I'll never buy those full price again. These will be the only ones blooming so I won't worry about out-crossing.
Because snails are always a problem here, I set up a snail moat to protect the seedlings. A large baker's tray is filled with water, and inside that is a deeper, dry tray in which the sm zinnia pots will sit. And over that is a layer of nylon netting to prevent attacks from on high. Probably more than necessary, but I only want to do this once. I'm also planning on sowing a ton of mixed seed harvested from last year's plants soon. It's a genetic soup. But since I don't want anything to cross with my hoity-toity seeds, I'll pinch any early flower buds that appear, but still have plants of size to put out into the garden.
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Post by gianna on Mar 30, 2024 23:03:44 GMT -5
The Golden Hour Zinnias are doing well. They've more than doubled in size the past couple weeks (we've had nice weather), and the critters haven't found a way to get to them. Hope that lasts. I've also sown some of the home collected seeds. I've also planted 4 packs (24 cells) of Benary's Giant mix. Seeds from '19, and all but 2 have germinated. And this morning, 18 cells of Queeny Lime Orange, a favorite. I want to save seeds of these because they tend to be expensive. I'll use baggies for these to control pollination. I also want to make a lot of cuttings from the various varieties. I keep eyeing the nice, lush golden hour plants, and have to remind myself I can't start cutting on those, lol. At least until they set seed.
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Zinnias
Apr 15, 2024 18:17:08 GMT -5
Post by desertwoman on Apr 15, 2024 18:17:08 GMT -5
ok all you zinnia growers, I need some of your thoughts.... I have not had success growing them. My first try was in '22- I only got a couple of sprouts and they grew to produced but they were dwarfed. I'll take responsibility for that as I think I didn't have them in enough sun. Last year I tried again by starting in cells again- nothing came up. This year I started some in cells and one came up.
These are Baker Creek seeds that were packaged for 2022. They are 'el dorado' zinnia. Interestingly- I do not currently find el dorado at BC website.
I'm thinking to direct sow and see how that goes. In your experiences with direct sown-when is the best time? After last frost? Before? Any other tricks you can pass on?
Or maybe this was just a bad packet of seed? They are supposed to be so easy to grow. So I am feeling a little frustrated.
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Post by binnylou on Apr 15, 2024 19:35:20 GMT -5
Try a germ test by paper towel/coffee filter in a baggie. No soil. Zinnias are very easy to grow…I start under lights since my flower garden gets corn gluten. I am embarrassed to admit that I haven’t started any zinnias yet, nor marigolds, nor impatiens.
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Post by gianna on Apr 15, 2024 23:20:25 GMT -5
Or maybe this was just a bad packet of seed? They are supposed to be so easy to grow. So I am feeling a little frustrated. I start many of them, and do find them to be hit and miss in terms of germination. But that seems to be variety linked. Could just be conincidence. Some varieties seem to give very high germ %, while others far less. I can't explain it. I do wonder if it could be attributed to seed collection and drying of seed. I've saved a good number of my own seeds, and find it at times difficult to tell which are good seeds. Most recently I planted some queen lime orange in order to save my own seed since they had gotten so expensive. Seed from 2 packets, one from Johnny's one from Baker creek. Both gave about 50%. Not very good. But enough to grow enough plants to both make cuttings, and save seeds. I vaguely remember having not many of these germinate last year too. Yet at the same time I recently planted some old Benary's Giant seeds from Johnny's (5 or so yrs old), and got good germination. (from 24 seeds, 22 seedlings) A couple years ago I planted 2 different 'special' seeds from Florets, both fresh seed. One gave literally 100%, the other, same time, same soil, same everything - about 50% ??? Genetics, post harvest seed treatment, Improper harvesting? I dunno. So I keep sowing seed, and if what I want doesn't germinate, I just plant more. Most do pretty well however - at least I have enough. Ideal germination temp is about 75 to 80*F. Or so I've read. I plant in cells inside with heat and light because I have lots of seedling-eating critters outside. But I have read repeatedly that many people have better luck when direct seeding. Many zinnia seeds have fallen on the ground in the garden - almost none have come up. Like 1 or 2, and those didn't make it.
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Zinnias
Apr 15, 2024 23:46:30 GMT -5
Post by desertwoman on Apr 15, 2024 23:46:30 GMT -5
Thanks- some good things to consider. gianna, binnylou, Looks like I need to plant a lot of seed and hope for partial germination.(gianna, your percentages make me feel less inadequate). And I'll do a germ test tomorrow binny. I guess I could plant whatever seeds do germinate.
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Zinnias
Apr 16, 2024 20:03:12 GMT -5
Post by gianna on Apr 16, 2024 20:03:12 GMT -5
the first Zinnia of the year is starting to bloom. It is from a seedling of unknown ancestry and came up in used planter mix. It's early but appears to be a salmonny pink. Since I want my Golden Hours to bloom when absolutely nothing else is blooming, I'll have to pick the flower when those are ready... but that is still a very long time away. It's nice to have that first bloom.
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Zinnias
Apr 26, 2024 12:40:50 GMT -5
Post by heirloomfan on Apr 26, 2024 12:40:50 GMT -5
Desertwoman one thing I heard about and tested last year was succession planting of some flowers including zinnias and it did work out well. I guess some of the professional flower growers do the succession planting in order to have some flower colors at certain times of the season. Here in our area I planted some into early July and it worked well, as some might be fading out then you have another round coming on to fill in. I also found that zinnias just don't like it too wet and cool, so I have to wait to get any direct sown or seedlings out once the weather settles and finally reliably warm.
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