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Splash of colour
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Zinnia makes bright flower beds, borders and attractive cut flowers
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Zinnia: hardy annual
ZINNIA ELEGANS, which belongs to the family Compositae, is named after Johann Gottfried Zinn, professor of Botany. Originally from Mexico, zinnia is a hardy annual cultivated for its solitary, long-stemmed, daisy-like flower heads [single and double] in a wide range of colours, including white, yellow, orange, red, purple and lilac — 5 to10 cm across.
The plant grows to a height of 30 to 60 cm, leaves opposite, linear to ovate deep green and stem clasping. Zinnia is also one of the quickest flowering annuals. It blooms within 45 days after the seeds are sown. The seedlings may be planted at a distance of 30 cm in beds in gardens.
It is advisable to pinch off the first buds and not allow the plants to flower until they are quite strong. Top dressing of the surface soil will help the plants grow well. Use fertile, humus-rich well drained soil in full sun. Water generously.
Zinnia is grown as an annual for flowerbeds, borders and cut flowers. Dwarf hybrids are suitable for window boxes, pots or containers.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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