Unwins Zinnia Benary's Giant Seeds - Unwins
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This guide is for gardeners seeking large, spectacular blooms for cutting and vibrant garden displays. The Unwins Zinnia Benary's Giant seeds offer strong stems and fully double flowers in a wide range of vivid colors, boasting a long vase life and RHS Pollinator recommendation. While exceptionally rewarding and heat-tolerant, successful growth requires attention to soil temperature for sowing and consistent watering during dry spells.
All features
| Model Part Number | 30211320 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Unwins |
Extended Product Information
FAQs
When is the best time to sow Unwins Zinnia Benary's Giant seeds?
You can sow indoors from February to May. For outdoor sowing, wait until the soil is warm, typically from late May or early June.
How far apart should I plant the zinnias?
Allow approximately 25 cm between plants when planting them out to ensure good air circulation and space for growth.
How long do the flowers last in a vase?
These zinnias are known for their excellent vase life, often lasting 7-10 days when cut in the bud or early bloom stage and conditioned properly.
Do these zinnias need a lot of water?
They require regular watering, especially during warm, dry periods, to maintain healthy growth and prolific blooming.
What kind of soil do they prefer?
Zinnias prefer well-drained soil and thrive in full sun. They are not overly fussy about soil type as long as it drains well.
Can I grow these in containers?
Yes, Unwins Zinnia Benary's Giant can be grown successfully in large containers, provided they have good drainage and are placed in a sunny location.
Are these flowers attractive to pollinators?
Yes, they are RHS Pollinator recommended, meaning they are beneficial for attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden.
Troubleshooting
Seeds fail to germinate
Ensure soil temperature is consistently warm (15-20°C for indoor sowing) and compost is kept moist but not waterlogged. Check seed viability if stored for a long time.
Seedlings are weak or leggy
Provide adequate light during the seedling stage. Ensure they are not kept too warm without sufficient light. Harden off gradually before planting outside.
Poor flowering or small blooms
Ensure plants receive full sun and adequate water. Regular feeding with a liquid plant food can improve bloom size and quantity. Deadhead spent flowers.
Powdery mildew on leaves
Improve air circulation around plants by spacing them correctly. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting foliage. Remove affected leaves and consider a fungicide if severe.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Produces stunning, large dahlia-like flowers.
- Excellent for cut flower arrangements due to strong stems and vase life.
- Drought and heat tolerant, providing color through summer.
- Attracts beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Offers a long flowering season, from early summer to autumn.
- Easy to grow from seed for a rewarding gardening experience.
Cons
- Requires warm soil for outdoor sowing, limiting early planting.
- Needs regular watering, especially during dry periods, to maintain bloom quality.
- Can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions if air circulation is poor.
- Requires deadheading to encourage continuous blooming.
- May need support for very large blooms in exposed locations.
Setup, Compatibility & Care
Sowing Indoors:
- Fill seed trays with moist seed compost.
- Sow seeds approximately 5 mm deep.
- Lightly cover the seeds and place in a warm location (15–20 °C).
- Keep the compost consistently moist.
- Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots of potting compost.
- Gradually acclimatize the young plants to outdoor conditions over 2–3 weeks before planting out.
Sowing Outdoors:
- Wait until the soil is warm.
- Sow seeds thinly in their final position.
- Lightly cover the seeds with soil.
- Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge.
- Thin seedlings to stand approximately 25 cm apart.
Planting Out:
- Plant out from early summer onwards, ensuring a spacing of 25 cm between plants.
Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, particularly during warm, dry spells.
- Feeding: Feed with a liquid plant food periodically throughout the growing season.
- Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage further flowering and prolong the blooming period.
- Location: Thrives in full sun with well-drained soil.