Several garden writers say that fall zinnias, marigolds and cosomos are wonderful- that they thrive in the cooler weather (in Texas, cooler is a relative term). Has anyone in the Killeen-Temple-Waco area had success with these? I've tried planting seeds in 4 inch pots in July hoping to have plants for fall, and they sprouted, but stalled after developing several sets of leaves. And as I recall, I bought some transplants one year in late August or early Sept. and it wasn't anytime until they had developed powdery mildew so bad I had to throw them away.
fall zinnias, marigolds and cosmos in Heart of Texas
I'm not that close to you, but I've found cosmos don't like to be transplanted. I have excellent success with them by sowing directly onto garden soil and letting them do their thing. I threw out a couple of packets last September and they completely filled an empty area of the garden with blooms for months. I put out another packet in the spring and some of the old ones self sowed and have another bumper crop of blooms still. I've not had as much luck with the zinnias. Everyone says they are such tough easy care plants, but mine always get that fungus on the leaves and they just kind of shrivel up. I won't be trying any more zinnias or marigolds, and I thought I could get a broomstick to grow!
Zinnias bloom throughout the summer and fall here. Mine are self sown in the garden beds. As the oldest ones poop out the younger ones are coming up right behind them. I take out the older ones that begin to look straggly. So far I haven't had a problem with powdery mildew. Mine get sun till about 3 pm.
Edited to say that I water the zinnias from the ground. I don't let the foliage get wet. They have sure attracted lots of butterflies this season. One day my dh counted twenty butterflies around the zinnia garden.
This message was edited Jul 27, 2006 8:08 AM
I am north of you but I love my zinnias and cosmos - they just reseed. They hate to be moved so do not start in pots unless they are those peat pots. They bloom like nuts until Nov...
Zinnias and cosmos do great for me too--I do all annuals from seeds in pots because I have thick mulch everywhere--they both will transplant easily, just don't let them get that big (about 4")--which is sometimes easier said than done if you are busy. Cosmos is particularly good for fall because the blooms on them are not daylength sensitive.
I am in a patio home and have to do all my gardening in containers. If I plant the seeds in large pots, will the soil go sour because of lack of roots and cause dampoff? Do I need to start them in 4" pots and then move them up to larger pots as they get bigger?
As long as your pots have drainage holes in the bottom, you should be fine. I wouldn't try starting in smaller pots and moving up with most plants, unless you're doing perennials. Any annuals can be sown in the pot they're going to stay in. More plants die from overwatering than any other cause. Poke your finger in the pot to about an inch down, if it feels dry water, if soil still feel moist, check again later. The smaller the pot, the more oftern you'll have to water. Pot plants also have to be fertilized more often because watering leaches it out of the pot. I prefer slown release osmocote on mine, but there are a lot of good ones out there. I've sucessfully grown hibiscus, roses, succulents, sanseveria and many others in pots. Happy Gardening!
You can start small and move up or start in the large pot. If you start small you know you can fill the large pot if you have spotty germination. All 3 are tough plants which grow well in pots. Zinnias will even grow in spagham moss pots well. I started them in 1" x 2" starter plugs in the shade, outside June 17th--moved 2 plants to this container June 26th. It's about to pop with color. This is profusion orange and its very cloudy down here today. I grow short varieties in pots and tall in the ground.
I use nothing stronger than 8-8-8 organics on anything; but that's me. Just make sure you check them daily for water needs. I use good quality potting soil because I don't have time to mix ingredients--but I reuse it in the bottom of huge pots in the future.
Just experiment; you'll find out what works best for you.
Debbie
DMJ, is that a hamelia and coral vine behind your pots? I love both of those. I have coral vine, but not the hamelia. I'm looking for a spot to add one. Is your's in full sun all day?
Yes they are and yes they are in full blazing sun.
Deb how long did it take for your Hamelia (Firecracker Bush) to get that large? I have one that is about 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall. I'm so anxious for it to get bigger. The hummers and butterflies just love it. I have another one ordered for fall planting.
Lin
About 5 or 6 years--looks like Christmas in July, no? There is a variegated variety but I don't think it looks as good. Needs that juxtaposition of red against green, in my opinion. I should have taken the shot in the opposite direction, then you could have seen my huge rangoon creeper behind it. That hamalia is 6' x 7' so leave it room to grow--while it is nice, one is enough. And it does freeze to the ground here every single winter so it is work then, but requires nothing the rest of the year, no fertilizer or water except when you water everything else.
back to zinnias, marigolds and cosmos: now I can't find any seed! in a county of 130,000 people you would think one humble feed store or box store would have some. they have spring plants and veggie seeds.
Baker seed and they get here fast.
I was in Dollar General today and noticed they had seed packets. I bought one of Calendula since I read yesterday to sow now for fall blooming. Hope it works.
I hadn't thought of the dollar stores. THANKS!