Other Years

Giant Cactus Zinnias

Giant Cactus Zinnias
2022
April 15: I put 50 seeds from the package into vermiculite and put that in the warming box.
May 6: Finally got to them and put 19 seedlings into cells. Also put another 100 seeds in to sprout.
June 16: Ben planted the seedlings along the fence.
August 21: All the plants are flowering magnificently.
 
2021
May 10: I put 150 seeds from last year into paper towel rolls and into the warming box.
21: Not successful. Some seeds sprouted but many are mouldy.
June 5: I scattered seed in one garden spot and raked it in.
11: Many dozens of sprouts.
 
2020
April 12: I put 100 new seeds from Stokes into vermiculite and into the warming box.
15: 3 sprouts.
17: About 60 sprouts. I started transferring them from the vermiculite to soil in cells.
18: I finished transferring them from the vermiculite to soil in cells. I got about 70 cells. I had to remove the seed coat (arum) from about half of them. A few had stems that were decayed in parts, and were discarded. I guess transferring all of them yesterday would have been better. A few were runt-like, with short stems or roots, and were mostly discarded, so that was a very good germination rate.
23: About a third of the seedlings had wire stem, a thin threadlike part of the stem, so I discarded them.
24: I started 45 more seeds.
27: I filled all the empty cells, from the wire stem plants, with new sprouts.
May 9: I applied No-Damp solution to the seedlings, because they have continued to succumb to ilnesses.
June 26: They are all in the garden. Today, first flower.
 
2019
~April 24: I put 140 saved seeds into vermiculite with hot water, and into the warming box.
December 15: A fair show but late as I started my seeds late. I added more bought in Brandon and a few more of a different variety bought on St Mary's Road.
 
2016
April 24: I put 50 package seeds and 50 saved seeds into vermiculite, and into the warming box. The temperature is high enough.
 

2015
December 31: A good display using some new seeds.
 
2014
April 11: I put 52 new seeds from Stokes of Burpeeana giant cactus-flowered zinnias into vermiculite, and into the warming box. The temperature is high enough.
13: Sprouts when I checked in the evening.
16: I transplanted 16 sprouts to soil in 4-paks. They were a disappointment. I could not get to them until today and there are not as many as I expected and some of them had collapsed, or had their seed coats still on their leaves.
17: I put another batch of seeds into vermiculite in the warming box.
19: The new seedlings look fine. I started transplanting them. About half of the first batch of seedlings are still alive.
May 13: The plants that have been under the sodium lamp are about twice as large as the ones that have been under the fluorescent tubes.
June 4: I set them out along the fence, 45 cm apart. One is flowering.
 
2013
April 30: Started seeds in vermiculite in the warming box. The temperature was not really high enough.
May ~4: Sprouts of one of the varieties.
7: Transplanted most of the sprouts. All 3 varieties have sprouted.
June 21: I finished setting out my seedlings.
July 14: One is flowering.
September 23: They have done well and are still in full flower. There were no cactus-flowered plants though, and just one Peppermint Stick.
 
2012
April 18: Started seeds in vermiculite in the warming box. The temperature was 86 F.
21: Sprouts.
 
2011
April 13: I put about 100 seeds from 2009 in two tubs or vermiculite and put the tubs in the warming box.
17: The box has not been warm enough, but I put 18 sprouts into cells and then put the tubs in plastic bags under lights to see if I can get the cotyldedons to slough of their seed coats.
19: Partly successful, the coast were easily removed. I now have 63 sprouts in cells.
May 27: I set out my seedlings.
June 26: A few flowers have just opened.
 
2009
April 15: I started about 40 seeds from 2007 in vermiculite in the warming box.
18: There are a few sprouts. I started another 40 seeds in another tub.
May 2: I finished transplanting the sprouts into soil.
June 1: Rain washed the soil off of about 7 plants, so I set them out.
6: I filled the bed along the fence.
July 4: Coming along fine.
August 3: Still coming along. Only a few plants have 2 flowers each; the others still only have their first one.
September 29: Still flowering, but past their prime, with many mature blossoms.
 
2008
April 14: I started about 72 seeds in vermiculite. Half the seeds were from the package and half from last year. I put them into the warming box with the marigold seeds.
17: 1 sprout.
18: I moved 8 sprouts into cells.
20: And 24 more.
2: And 13 more from a second seeding.
May 27: I set out 4 plants. There was frost last night but the forecast is good.
29: I filled their bed. Showers are expected tonight and tomorrow.
June 4: I put 4 extras into the regular garden.
5: Along the fence, 4 flowers are opening.
October 8: They look great!
 
2007
April 11: I started 75 seeds from 3 sources in a tub of vermiculite in the warming box, set at its highest setting.
23: Good germination, and now I have 48 seedlings in 4-paks.
May 27: Ben set out all the seedlings. Most went along the fence and 6 went in the garden.
 
2006
April 12: I started 60 seeds in a tub of vermiculite. 20 seeds were from 2004, 20 from 2005, and 20 from the package.
17: Sprouts from both batches. I left them in the warming box for one more day.
The temperature was about 78°F for 2 days and is 80°now, not as warm as it has been other years.
18: I moved 8 sprouts into large cells.
19: I added more.
24: I put more seeds in vermiculite to sprout.
29: About 6 sprouts. The warming box was unplugged. Did I forget to plug it in, or did the electrician unplug it?
30: I transferred the sprouts to cells.
May 24: I set my plants out along the fence, alternating them with Benary's Giants. It is early but the weather was quite warm today with continued warmth and showers predicted, and the plants are large. Some have flower buds. I also took 8 to Jean.
June 3: One flower.
August 1: Doing well. About 3 died mysteriously, all adjacent.
 
2005
April 20:  I put about 72 seeds in a tub of vermiculite and put it into the warming box. A third of the seeds were each from 2003, 2004, and the package.
23:  3 sprouts, so I left them in the box.
24:  I planted 18 sprouts into 18 cells, and returned the tub to the warming box to get more sprouts.
May 12:  I got very few more sprouts. All plants are now in 4-paks.
31:  I set out 20 plants along the fence, and 2 inside it.
June 2:  I filled some vacancies with more seedlings.
19:  Two hot sunny days have caused 5 plants to flower.
July 19:  Flowering nicely. Some plants have more than 1 flower.
October 4:  A good show. They look quite tired from nearby. Perhaps if I deadheaded them after August 1, they would look better now.
 
2004
April 11:  I put seeds in vermiculite in the warming box to start, about 35 from the package and 35 from 2003.
14:  9 sprouts, so I left them in the warming box.
15:  Many sprouts.   I put 36 of them in cells.
June 3:  I set 17 plants along the fence.   I have about 12 left over.
July 2:  One has opened.
29:  I have dead-headed a few initial flowers.   They are being replaced by a new ones, a few per plant.
 
2003
March 29:  I put 18 seeds from the package, 18 seeds from 2002, and 18 seeds from 2001 into 3 9-paks and put them into the warming box.   Each cell got a shot of No-Damp to try to prevent the trouble of last year.
March 31:  6 sprouts in the pak that was nearest the heating lights, one elsewhere.
April 1:  Few sprouts.   I discovered that the thermostat in the box was set low, not high, so I reset it and put one pak back.
2:  3 more sprouts.   I moved them to cells that were under the lights, and replaced their 9-pak in the box.   I started about 30 seeds in vermiculite in the box.
3:  There were a few sprouts in the pak in the box.   I left the pak in the box to try for more.
4:  I removed the pak from the box; there were no more sprouts, I don't think.   There were about 8 sprouts in the vermiculite, half very undeveloped.   I moved them into soil in cells.
5:  Many sprouts in the vermiculite.   I filled the remaining cells in the 4th 9-pak and put the others under the sodium lamp, near the lamp.
6:  The sprouts are too bleached so I moved them farther away.
May 2:  I have moved 25 plants to 4-paks.   The others are still in 9-paks.
17:  I set out 4 plants.   Two were budding and one of those buds was opening!
20:  Frost killed 2 plants and hurt a third, even though they were covered with plastic.   I put a bucket over the most advanced plant and it is ok.
22:  I set out my plants along the fence and replaced all 4 of the ones that were exposed to the frost.
23:  I put 4 more plants into the garden.
30:  One plant is in flower.
July 5:  I have deadheaded the first flower from most plants, and the subsequent blossoms are developing.
September 1:  They are giving a very nice display, although many of the plants have fallen over and there are a few holes in their row where some plants died.
 
2002
April 1:  I planted 35 seeds from last year and 35 from the Burpee package in vermiculite, and put them in the warming box.
5:  I transplanted the sprouts into 9-paks, getting 45 cells, and discarding 1 more good plant and 3 poor ones. The 2 groups of seeds seemed to germinate equally well.
May 7:  Some of the plants were a little yellow, so I gave them all a small dose of acid fertilizer and iron chelates.
May 20:  Many of the plants are dying or have died, I don't know why. The lower leaves go limp and shrivel, then the whole plant does. This happened to a few plants weeks ago; now it is affecting almost all of them. The same thing is happening to the sunflowers I started indoors.
May 24:  I gave them a dose of No-Damp.
28:  I set out about half of my plants.
June 25:  One plant has been in flower for about a week now, but it is well ahead of the others.
July 24:  Most plants have one flower or so, but the bed is very weedy.
September 8: They are flowering nicely.   The plants are not as big as most years.   I suppose that is because they were so weedy while I was away in July.
 
2001
May 2:  I started 30 Burpee seeds in peat moss in a Safeway margarine tub, and 30 seeds from last summer's garden in an Imperial margarine tub, in the warming box. I don't know what temperature the box will stabilize at--there are only 3 working light bulbs, but I have insulated it with fibreglass ceiling tile material.
May 5:  Some sprouts in the Imperial tub. There are only 2 working bulbs now and the temperature is not as warm as I want. I found another bulb later, and the temperature has warmed. The Imperial tub was higher in the box, and therefore warmer.
May 6:  There are 11 sprouts in the Imperial tub. I moved them under the light.
May 9:  I replanted the Safeway tub with 18 Burpee seeds and 17 of mine.
May 11:  I transplanted the seedlings into paks. I got 42 seedlings, which includes quite a number that had twisted and not broken through the surface of the peat moss. It's hard to explain how I got 42 seedlings from 30 seeds! There were also 6 sprouts I didn't use. I guess I had all the seeds in one tub!
May 12:  Many of the previously buried sprouts have collapsed. There are 7 sprouts in the new tub.
May 18:  I transplanted the new sprouts to the spaces in the paks. 7 sprouts had died. I have 44 plants now.
June 6:  I set out my plants, 34 outside the fence and 7 inside. They got a drink of 10-52-10.
June 18:  The outside plants have done fine, but half of the inside plants have disappeared. Slugs?
July 10:  First flower.
December 2:  A good show again this year.
 
2000
March 31:  I planted 60 seeds in starter mix in the warming box.
April 2:  3 sprouts.
4:  32 sprouts.
8:  I transferred 48 sprouts to large cells. One yellow sprout remains.
11:  Most of the sprouts are doing very poorly. Many of them have dried up or partly dried up and collapsed. I suspect the dry peat moss in the soil I put them into dried them out. I started 36 more seeds in 18 cells.
21:  Only about 9 original sprouts survived. I got 8 sprouts from those 36 later seeds, and I moved them today into the large cells. I started 40 more seeds in vermiculite, and put the cells with no sprouts back into the warming box.
24:  29 shoots from the vermiculite, and 1 more from the cells.
May 28:  I set out 20 plants.
June 1:  I set 15 more out.
21:  One flower.
August 8:  Most plants have one flower, but some have 2 or 3.
September 17:  They are a nice display. The plants have not quite grown together yet.
~22:  Frost last night half-killed the plants.
October 4:  Frost last night quite killed the plants. I mowed them away.
 
1999
April 1: I planted 18 seeds in starter mix in the warming box.
3:  Thirteen sprouts already!
4:  Still 13 sprouts.
10:  15 sprouts, plus one found during transplanting. I transplanted 9 sprouts into a 9-pak, and left 6 in their tub.
17:  I moved one from the tub to the pak, to replace a dead one.
May 25:  I set out 9 plants.
June 6:  First flower. The plants are all leaning over, due to the strong winds we have often had since they were set out.
June 30:  Flourishing. Most have one flower.
August 3:  Flourishing nicely.
31:  The same, with a large number of tired looking blossoms.
September 15:  A female black swallowtail butterfly was feasting on the blossoms today. She was quite beautiful. I don't think I have seen one before.
20:  Killed by frost. A fairly good show this summer.
 
1998
April 1:  Planted 60 of Stokes Burpeeana seeds in seedling mix in tubs, and put them into the warming box.
9:  Good germination, 98%. 55 seedlings growing, 30 more seeds planted. They sprouted over 4 days, April 4--7.
14:  Again good germination. Now 78 seedlings going.
June 1:  Fine along fence. I used many volunteers!
5:  The volunteers were sunflowers! I replaced them with extras and plants brought back from Parkview Street.
12:  First flower, already!
 
1996
June 20:  I bought and planted about 45 Giant Cactus plants, plus 6 Sun zinnias and 6 that are probably State Fair zinnias. Some dried out rather seriously before planting. Some were ready to flower when planted.
September 4:  They are putting on a good show, except along the shaded part of the fence.
 
1995
~April 4:  Started some seeds.
June 1:  I was able to put 6 of my seedlings into the garden, 5 still alive, as well as 7 I bought.
July 7:  8 in flower.
 
1994
April 11:  Started seeds, 48 cells with 2 seeds per cell. They are above an electric blanket in a seed tray at 79°F.
17:  9 plants. 155 more seeds sown.
June 20:  16 outside fence, doing well. 4 more bought and added.
27:  One flower from seed opening today.
September 4:  An ok display, but they were 2 and 1/2 feet apart. 2 feet would be better, or 20 inches.
September 15:  Collected seeds today. Only a few plants had seeds ready. Several plants had sick or dead stems and blossoms.
 
1993
June 7:  Sowed some seeds. They were kept warm (80°F) for several days.
August 18:  One bloom on each plant,
September 4:  There are some blossoms.
 

Queen Red Lime Zinnias

Queen Red Lime Zinnia, 2010

2010
April 11: Dominion Seed House sent a free packet of these seeds with my order. The flowers are supposed to open lime green and change to pink as they mature. I started all 12 seeds in vermiculite in the warming box.
May 30: I set out 5 plants, most with an opening bud.
July 2: They all still have their first flower. I didn't notice if it was green at first or not.
December 31: They grew well enough. The colour change was interesting but not spectacular.
 

Magellan Zinnias

2007
April 8: I bought a package of Magellan Coral seeds at T&T.
11: I started 12 seeds in vermiculite in a tub, under the Fluorescent lights in the grow table.
May 2: They are now in 9-paks.
28: I set 5 in a planter at my club.
December 31: They grew fairly well and were a pretty pink.
 

Peppermint Stick Zinnias

Peppermint Stick Zinnia 2006

Peppermint Stick Zinnia 2013

2006
January 1: I ordered seed from Stokes last month.
3: The seeds arrived today.
April 12: I started 20 seeds in a tub of vermiculite.
April 17: Sprouts. I left them in the warming box for one more day. The temperature was about 78°F for 2 days and is 80°now, not as warm as it has been other years.
18: I moved 8 sprouts into large cells.
24: I put more seeds in vermiculite to sprout.
29: About 6 sprouts. The warming box was unplugged. Did I forget to plug it in, or did the electrician unplug it?
30: I transferred the sprouts to cells.
May 29:  I set my 5 plants out along the house.
June 14: A first flower is opening, and it looks marvellous.
August 1: Doing ok. There is only one plant with their distinctive blooms.
 

Benary's Giant Zinnias

Pink Benary’s Giant Zinnia	Cream Benary’s Giant Zinnia	Orange Benary’s Giant Zinnia

2006
January 1: I ordered seed from Stokes last month.
3: The seeds arrived today.
April 12: I started 20 seeds in a tub of vermiculite.
April 17: Sprouts. I left them in the warming box for one more day.
The temperature was about 78°F for 2 days and is 80°now, not as warm as it has been other years.
18: I moved 8 sprouts into large cells.
24: I put more seeds in vermiculite to sprout.
29: About 6 sprouts. The warming box was unplugged. Did I forget to plug it in, or did the electrician unplug it?
30: I transferred a few of the sprouts to cells but most of them still had their seeds coats so I left them in the tub.
May 24: I set my plants out along the fence, alternating them with Giant Cactus zinnias. It is early but the weather was quite warm today with continued warmth and showers predicted, and the plants are large. Some have flower buds.
June 3: One flower.
August 1: Doing well.
 

Medium Zinnias (Paintbrush Zinnias)

1999
April 12:  I planted seeds today,
9:  cells with 3 seeds per cell. Two of the seeds are 1997, one is 1995. I put them into the warming box to germinate. The temperature is 24°C .
13:  Five sprouts.
14:  Five sprouts, and judging from their positions in the cells, they are all the fresher seeds.
18:  I resowed the 4 empty cells, 3 seeds per cell.
May 22:  I set out my 7 plants today.
June 18:  One flower today.
June 30:  Growing well. Most have one flower.
August 3:  Flourishing nicely.
20:  Killed by frost. A good show this summer.
 
1998
April 15:  Started 1 9-pak, 3 1997 seeds per cell, in the lower part of the warming box.
May 2:  Germination was fairly good.
June 1:  Doing fine outside.
 
1997
May 3:  4 seedlings are growing in a 9-pak. I started more seeds today.
30:  12 plants set out. The earlier seedlings were a good size.
June 28:  First (3) flowers.
December:  A very good show.
 
1995
~May 4:  Started some seeds.
May 9:  Two seedlings growing.
11:  Planted more seeds.
17:  Good germination this time, 1991 seeds. Thinned to 6 new seedlings, and 2 older ones, of Uptown x Paint Brush varieties.
31:  All planted at Parkview Street.
 
1994
April 11:  Started seeds, 6 cells with 2 seeds per cell. They are above an electric blanket in a seed tray at 79°F.
13:  They are up, 9 plants.
June 20:  6 plants planted at Parkview Street.
July 3:  Flowering.