Thank you for reading this very important blog post. Today I will show you step-by-step how to pick, cut, and arrange zinnias. But first, let me tell you why zinnias are one of my favorite flowers to grow:
This post is sponsored by Ball®, the company that makes home canning supplies. I use Ball® products all the time in my home and life. I am so happy to be teaming up with them to showcase their gorgeous Rose Vintage Mason Jars. These limited-edition jars are perfect for canning, drink ware, or to use for kitchen storage. I personally use them for spices and tea. But I especially love to use them for flowers! Let’s discuss.
The first thing you’ll need to do before heading into the garden is to pick a vase. This usually always involves a Ball® jar in my home. I like to go ahead and have two selected: one small and one large. This one will be used for flowers with longer stems and this one will be used for flowers with shorter stems. I love using Ball® Rose Vintage Mason Jars which come in 32 oz. and 16 oz. These are the perfect size for arrangements. You can get your very own jars here.
Another thing I like to do before going into the garden is fill up a third jar with water. This is used to immediately place the cut zinnias into. This will allow them to stay hydrated as you harvest and look their best.
With their wide range of colors, prolific flowering, and easy care, it’s no wonder zinnias are a top choice for cutting gardens Follow this guide for tips to grow a bountiful zinnia harvest for bouquets and arrangements
Choosing the Best Zinnia Varieties for Cutting
While all zinnias make great cuts, some varieties are bred specifically for cut flower production. When selecting seeds, look for:
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Large, fully double blooms on long, strong stems. Single zinnias have a charm, but doubles have more petals and longer vase life.
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Tall plants, at least 24-36 inches high Long stems are easier to use in designs
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A diverse color range. Pick a spectrum for bold, vibrant bouquets.
Some top-performing cut zinnia series include:
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Benary’s Giants – Huge 4-5 inch blooms on sturdy 3-4 foot plants in vibrant hues. A standout!
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Oklahoma – Prolific semi-double 2-3 inch flowers on 20-24 inch plants great for small arrangements.
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Zinderella – Ruffled, scabiosa-type doubles with long stems, but can revert to singles in heat.
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Queen – Unique bicolor doubles in smoky shades of lime, orange, peach and burgundy.
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State Fair – Classic giant dahlia-flowered zinnias in bold mixtures. Reliably large blooms.
Growing Zinnias from Seed
Starting indoors: For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Use a seed starting mix and grow under lights or in a sunny window. Harden off before transplanting outside.
Direct sowing: After danger of frost passes, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 6 inches apart in prepared soil. Thin crowded seedlings.
Ideal conditions: Zinnias thrive in full sun and warm weather 70-85°F. Keep soil moist, especially when seeds are germinating and flowers are forming.
Care and Maintenance
Watering – Give zinnias a thorough soaking 1-2 times a week. Avoid overhead watering, which can promote disease. Consistent moisture when blooms are forming results in the best flowers.
Fertilizer – Work compost into beds before planting, then side-dress growing plants with a balanced organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Compost tea is also beneficial.
Pinching – When plants reach 6-12 inches, pinch or cut back tops by 1/3 to encourage bushy growth and more flowering stems.
Staking – Add stakes or trellising to support tall varieties prone to flopping over, especially after rains.
Pest control – Watch for aphids, Japanese beetles, and other pests. Remove by hand or use organic sprays as needed.
Deadheading – Remove spent blooms to redirect energy to new buds.
Harvesting Zinnias for Maximum Vase Life
Cut zinnias in the morning when blooms are fully open. The best stems will be thick, upright, and 12-24 inches long.
Use clean, sharp pruners or floral snips. Make cuts at an angle above a set of leaves.
Condition just-cut stems in cool, clean water out of direct sun before arranging.
Strip lower leaves that would sit in water. Change water daily and recut stems every 2-3 days.
Handling Tricks for Longevity
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Add commercial flower food and 2 drops bleach to prevent bacteria.
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Avoid putting in the fridge or cooler – zinnias are cold-sensitive.
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Display out of direct sun to prolong vase life.
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Choose budding blooms that will open fully in the arrangement.
How to Dry and Save Zinnia Seeds
Let a few blooms remain on plants to produce seed heads. When dried and brown, clip entire heads off into paper bags. Further dry indoors 1-2 weeks. Rub heads between hands over a bowl to separate seeds from chaff. Store in sealed containers in a cool, dry spot.
Troubleshooting Issues with Zinnias
Leggy growth – Plants aren’t getting enough sun or were started too early indoors before transplanting. Pinch regularly to encourage branching.
Powdery mildew – Improve air circulation and reduce water on leaves. Remove affected foliage promptly.
Tiny flowers – Pinch early and often to generate more robust branching and blooms.
Flopping – Stake or trellis tall varieties. Space plants adequately to allow air movement.
Poor germination – Ensure sowing depth is 1/4 inch. Soil must stay warm, at least 70°F, for best results.
Pests – Attract beneficial insects. Hand pick off pests, hose off plants, or apply organic treatments.
Few blooms – Pinch flowers for indoor use. Deadhead to stimulate new buds. Provide supplemental feeding.
Maximize Your Zinnia Cut Flower Patch
With the right varieties selected for your climate, proper planting techniques, and attentive care through the season, a flourishing zinnia harvest for cutting is within reach. These endearing flowers are well worth the space in any cutting garden. Expect armloads of colorful blooms for summer and fall bouquets when you follow this guide to growing zinnias for cut flowers.
How to select the best zinnias
When you pick zinnias, you should look for big, pretty flowers that are almost open. Take a look at the picture above. The flower has a nice cluster of blooms in the middle. This means it will continue to open and last a long time once cut. You can certainly cut and use flowers that are even more open, they just won’t last as long.
The other tip is to give the stem and flower a little jiggle with your fingers. The stem should feel stiff and sturdy. If the flower isn’t stable, it won’t last as long in the vase, so I usually skip those.
A helpful hint is that you can always take out any zinnias that aren’t doing well over time. It is inevitable that some zinnias will last longer than others. You can always clean up the arrangement as you see fit! Don’t stress over a perfect harvest.
HOW AND WHEN TO CUT ZINNIAS
When harvesting zinnias, you want to cut them right above any new stems. When you find a flower you like, go all the way down to where the stem splits into two. (This can either be one to two side branches. ) Cut the stem on a diagonal as far down as you can. This will promote the side shoots to grow into new flowers!.
Yes, you can pick very long stems for your arrangement. You might have to cut off some sections that are beginning to branch out, though. You might not mind doing this, but keep in mind that you will stop flowers from growing.
Zinnias should usually be cut in the morning, evening, or when it’s cloudy. (Just think when it is cooler. They should be fine as long as you cut them quickly. I have cut some in full sun. Just remember to move fast. Once again, I also recommend bringing a jar of water outside with you. This way you can place the cut zinnias in fresh water immediately after harvesting.
This is an example of a zinnia that I skipped over because it wasn’t full enough. I left it for the butterflies to enjoy. Did you see that it’s wrapped around a bush of flowering basil? This is a friendly reminder for me to try making my “Bruschetta.” It’s an old post that still fits the bill.
Once you are back inside, it is time to clean up the zinnias and start arranging. I like to lay them out on the counter and remove the leaves. Personally, I think taking them off will make them last longer, and it also looks better. But you can leave the leaves on if you wish!.
To remove the leaves, simply hold the top of the stem underneath the flower with one hand. Using your other hand, place two fingers above the leaves, squeezing tightly, and pull down. The leaves should just fall off! Be careful not to hurt or bend the stem. Place them back into the jar of water you used when harvesting until ready to arrange.
Now it’s time to trim the stems. As you can see in the above, my harvest had a range of short and long stems. This is normal! I like to get the flowers with long stems out first and put them in the bigger jar. You can go for a tighter cluster of flowers, creating more of a bouquet shape. Or you can leave some space so that they are more airy and less dense. Either way they will look gorgeous!.
Before placing them in the jar, I suggest holding them together in a cluster. Then trim the stems so that they are fairly even. (Keep in mind that I like to leave the biggest flowers a little longer for the middle of the arrangement.) ) Before trimming, make sure all the flower heads are even. Then place the flowers in their new vase.
Now you can decide which ones you’d like to trim further. If you notice one flower that’s a bit too tall, try placing it more in the middle. Then move the shorter ones to the outside of the arrangement. Still need to be trimmed? Keep cutting them on the diagonal until you’re happy with the length. There is no right or wrong when it comes to arranging, so have fun!.
After I’m done with the bigger arrangement, I like to put the flowers with shorter stems in the smaller vase. I usually put this smaller arrangement in the bathroom and the larger one on the dining table. Of course, placing one in the guest room while someone is visiting is always a nice touch.
How to Grow Zinnias from Seed to Bouquet, Cut Flower Garden
FAQ
How to cut zinnias so they keep blooming?
How far to space zinnias for cut flowers?
Do zinnias come back after cutting?
How do you grow zinnias in a cut flower garden?
Follow these easy steps to grow zinnias in a cut flower garden. Plant zinnia seeds or starts after the threat of frost has passed. Your zinnias may not survive if planted out when the weather is still too cold. Leave sufficient space between plants to reduce chances of powdery mildew later in the season.
How do you prune a zinnia plant?
When plants are 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) tall, take sharp pruners and snip the top 3 to 4 in (7 to 10 cm) off the plant, just above a set of leaves. This signals the plant to send up multiple stems from below where the cut was made. During spells of hot, dry weather, zinnias are prone to powdery mildew.
Can Zinnias be cut?
Cutting gardens: Zinnias are unsurpassed as cut flowers and can be planted in a dedicated cutting garden. Plant them in rows or clusters to create an abundant supply of flowers for cutting. Here are some steps to grow zinnias: Choose a sunny location: Zinnias need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
How to grow Zinnias?
Here are some steps to grow zinnias: Choose a sunny location: Zinnias need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Prepare the soil: Zinnias grow best in well-draining soil. Amend the soil with compost or organic matter if necessary.