Rational cultivation and breeding of Zinnia officinalis

Zinnia branches are bifurcated. Summer and autumn flowering, head solitary branch top, flower diameter about 10 cm, petal color diversity, flowering long, flower type changes, basically are double species.

Strong nature, drought tolerance, like sunlight, like fertile soil. Avoid heat. Poor growth in rainy summer and poor drainage. United Arab Emirates national flower. Flowers big color Yan, flowering early, flowering long, beautiful plant type, is a common flower bed, flower border materials, dwarf species can be potted. High stem varieties are suitable for cut flower production.

Zinnia is native to Mexico, the United States and South America. Plant height varies significantly due to different varieties, generally 50~90 cm, short type only 20~30 cm. capitate, born only at branch end, raceme apophysis assumes cylindric shape. Flowers 5~15 cm in diameter, ligulate flower colors are white, yellow, red, pink, purple and compound color. Flowers are divided into single and double petals. The flowering period is from June to October.

Zinnia grows strongly, likes warm, dry and sunny environments, and can also tolerate semi-shade. The optimum temperature for growth is 20~25℃, and it is not tolerant of heat. When the temperature is higher than 35℃, the growth is obviously weakened, and the flowers are rare and the flowers are smaller. Under long sunshine (14 hours/day), the plant height increased and the number of ligulate flowers increased; under short sunshine (9 hours/day), the ligulate flowers became smaller and the number of tubular flowers increased. Adaptability is strong, do not choose soil, but in the soil layer deep, good drainage of fertile soil growth best. In the case of rainy summer or poor soil drainage, the plant is slender, the flowers become smaller, and continuous cropping is avoided.

Zinnia to seed propagation mainly, but also cuttage propagation. Seed reproduction and first spring sowing are generally carried out in the middle and late April, and the optimum temperature for germination is 15-20℃. Its seeds are light repellent, after sowing should be covered with soil, watering, moisture, about 1 week after germination emergence. The germination rate is generally around 60%. During the period from Xiaoman to summer solstice, combine with picking and pruning, select healthy branches, cut a section of tender branches 10~15 cm long as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, leave the upper two leaves, insert them into fine river sand, spray water frequently, properly shade, and root after about 2 weeks.

After planting survival, fertilization in the seedling stage need not be too frequent, generally apply liquid fertilizer once a month. Close to the flowering period can be more topdressing, every 5 to 7 days to apply a liquid fertilizer until the flowers bloom. When the seedling is as high as 10 cm, leave 2 pairs of leaves, stop the head and pick the heart to promote the germination of lateral branches. When the lateral branches grow to 2~3 pairs of leaves, 2 pairs of leaves are reserved and the second topping is performed. Doing so can make the plant shape big and blossom a lot. After 70 days of spring sowing, flowers can bloom. Zinnia flowers for the top of the branch, when the flower is withered, to leave 2 pairs of leaves from the base of the flower stem cut off the residual flowers in time, in order to induce new branches in the leaf axils of the incision. After pruning, water frequently and apply fertilizer 2~3 times, which can extend the flowering date to before frost. The first batch of seeds matured before rainy season are of good quality and should be harvested in time.

Sungrass is an important annual herbaceous flower, which likes sunny and warm climate. Drought tolerance, slightly high temperature tolerance. Loosely fertile, well-drained soil is required.

Breeding is mainly by sowing. April sowing in the open field, in 20 - 25 degrees temperature conditions can sprout about a week, seedling height 5 - 10 cm transplant once, plant spacing 10 cm.

The planting ground should be well drained. Zinnia due to less lateral roots, it requires timely planting, and with soil. Planting distance is 30 cm for dwarf species and 50 cm for tall stem species. Water well after planting. Apply topdressing once a month until the plants are covered. Seedling height of 20 cm when the start of picking, 1 - 2 times to promote branching, increase the amount of flowers. Do a good job of intertill weeding and loosening soil. Flowers should be cut off in time to facilitate re-germination and flowering.