heyday in a rainbow of colors and patterns score the top position on the list of characteristics that make old maid flower flowers such suitable garden summation . Although the genusZinniacovers a divers range of plant of different sizes , growing habits , bloom material body and vividness , they ’re all go down from an improbable progenitor that was all but overlooked by botanists for centuries .
The history of zinnia flowers begins in Mexico , where this lowly flower eventually would be launched into space and cultivated on the International Space Station .
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aboriginal zinnias were not remarkable flowers , but hybridization has resulted in many showstopper smorgasbord .
Zinnia Native Range
Spanish conquistadors who see zinnias blooming in their native Mexico during the 16th 100 were not at all impressed with these flowers . But the bloom of these native Mexican species did n’t at all resemble the vibrant and showy blooms that grow in gardens today , which are the result of many years of interbreeding .
Where Did Zinnias Get Their Name From?
It was n’t until the eighteenth hundred , when zinnia seeds were harvested in Mexico and taken to Europe , that they were constitute for a renowned German Dr. , Dr. Johann Gottfried Zinn , who was also a plant scientist and the director of the Botanical Garden of Göttingen University .
History of Zinnia Breeding
Before Spanish conquistadors observe zinnias in Mexico , the indigenous Aztecs were already cultivating them . Although exact identification of that original aboriginal specie is n’t definitively known , it ’s wide reckon as graceful zinnia ( Zinnia elegans ) , which bears one-year efflorescence , although it would have looked very unlike than this species looks today .
It ’s this species from which most New - day case of old maid flower have been breed , although two other yearly species are also significant cistron - pool contributors to zinnia fostering story : minute - leafage old maid flower ( Zinnia angustifolia ) and Haage ’s zinnia ( Zinnia haageana ) . These two metal money , when breed with graceful old maid flower , produce flowers with enhance traits , such as bicolor patterns ( a Haage ’s zinnia contribution ) and meliorate disease resistance plus increase flower production ( a narrow-minded - foliage zinnia share ) .
A fourth coinage , Peruvian zinnia ( Zinnia peruviana ) is the first documented coinage that was widely cultivated in Europe , which bring in it an crucial part of zinnia account . However , it ’s not one of the primary species from which innovative - sidereal day zinnias have been breed . As such , it ’s classified as an " unimproved heirloom variety . "
Zinnia Cultivars and Series
In addition to numerous old maid species , the history of zinnias would n’t be complete without note there are also unnumberable cultivars that ornament our garden . There ’s a zinnia blossom form , color and blueprint to accommodate any nurseryman ’s preference and landscape design plus the option of single or double flowers .
For exercise , the Thumbelina series ofZinnia elegansoffers a multitude of flower coloration options that mature on petite 4 " to 5 " plant . On the taller end of the spectrum , industrial plant in the Benary ’s Giant serial ofZinnia elegansgrow to 4 feet magniloquent and bear large flowers with 4 " to 5 " diam .
For a passing from the traditional pinks , purples , red and whites , some old maid cultivars have more unusual colouring . For yellow blooms , growZinnia angustifolia’Canary Bird ' or ' Crystal Yellow . ' And for a unique chartreuse pappa of semblance , uprise the heirloomZinnia elegans’Green Envy . '
Zinnia Care
Regardless of species or cultivar , fast - growing old maid call for the same basic care , and these low - care plants are easy to produce even for beginners . They grow and flower well in full sun on well - run out soil , and they ’re drought patient of once established . Plant zinnias with enough spacing around plants to permit good gentle wind circulation .
Although you could go under out transplant , it ’s very light to seed zinnia ejaculate directly into garden beds in former natural spring ( after the last rime ) to other summer .
If enough air can not circulate around zinnias , many are prone to a fungal disease called powdery mold . Keep the foliage as dry as potential by water at the basis of the plant . Where this is a trouble in certain climate , count for cultivars labeled disease resistant or mildew resistant .
Zinnias make superior swing flowers , whether you place a individual stem turn in a bud vase or you display multiple stems as bouquets in larger vases .
Zinnias were sent aboard ( the International Space Station ) strictly for the joy and beauty they bring to gardeners , even in space .
Growing Zinnias on the International Space Station
In 2015 , a old maid had the note of being the first flower to bloom outside the worldly concern ’s orbit in out space , as these plant accompany U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station . This step of a NASA undertaking was to make up one’s mind if give care for plant can help palliate the closing off and possible stress that astronauts may feel during farsighted - term space commission .
Although the basal long - full term objective of the undertaking was to determine how astronauts can grow veggies in blank , zinnias were post aboard purely for the joy and beauty they bring to gardeners , even in place .
