EXHIBITION ZINNIAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22262, 9 November 1935, Page 10 (Supplement)

EXHIBITION ZINNIAS

LIBERAL FEEDING NEEDED In spito of all the difficulties and disappointments experienced with zinnias, they are really not very hard to manage, and aro one of the best annuals for summer and autumn flowering. Puny, thin-flowered plants are frequently seen. These cannot bo considered representative of the gorgeous modern strains that aro now available. Partial failures can bo traced to the growing of inferior strains, and a misunderstanding of the needs of the plant, rather than to wilful neglect. Zinnias should be a feature of the coming National Flower Show in March. To ensure having some good blooms at tho appointed time, it is advisable to make several sowings from the second week in October to the first week in November. These may be made in the open ground. Prepare a clean seed bed, raised a little if possible, and sow tho seed thinly in shallow drills about six inches apart. Tho bed may need covering with wire-netting to keep the birds off. As soon as tho plants are large enough, transplant direct from the seed bed to the flowering quarters. A Liberal Diet Sunshine and a liberal diet are essential for the production of good zinnias, in an overshaded position the inevitable result will be an overabundance of foliage and very late flowers. A hot summer really suits them to perfection, and they do not make satisfactory growth until the warmer weather sets in. Although this love of sunshine is inherent in the zinnia, it must not bo interpreted as meaning that thev will tolerate a parched rooting medium. Tho incorporation of a liberal dressing of manure, which is necessary to provide tho rich diet they demand, will increase the humus content of tho soil, and help to retain moisture. If tho soil is deeply worked, the roots will travel down to tho levels that are not affected by scorching sunshine. Tho grower will therefore set about preparing the beds as soon as tno seed is sown in the seed beds to allow the soil to settlo down before planting is undertaken. The large dahlia-flowered varieties will require at least one foot apart each way. Most growers confine them to two or three stems, rubbing out all lateral growths if tho blooms are required for exhibition purposes. The plants will naturally require staking. This should bo done early before the stems have a chance to bend or twist. The exhibitor will need to feed them liberally once flower-buds develop, for competition is keen to produce blooms of the largest size. Size should not, however, be obtained at the expense of quality, and at the least sign of coarseness feeding should stop. Liquid Manure Plants which are merely grown for bedding will also appreciate an occasional watering with liquid manure, for all are prolific bloomers and may easily exhaust themselves, no matter how richly the beds may have been prepared. The large double-flowered varieties are naturally first favourites for exhibition and may be grown to a size and perfection undreamed of a few years ago. But a place should be found in the bedding scheme for the dwarf double variety known as Liliput or Pompon zinnias. These seldom exceed nine in height and throughout the summer bear a profusion of miniature double blossoms.