aspenhill's blog: Zinnias and Morning Glorys

Sunday
I've been going through my old seed stash and making a plan for sowing all those seeds that were either bought or passed along at seed swaps. As far as flower seeds go, many are individual varieties that I've wanted to try. However, zinnias and morning glorys are a different matter altogether. It is clear to me that I must love zinnias and morning glorys, or at least the idea of them.

I have 13 different kinds of zinnias in the old stash, the oldest is from 2013. I also purchased 3 new ones this year. All but one are named cultivars in shades of purple, pink, white, green, and most recently, yellow. I plan to sow all of them. If any germinate, I have an idea where they will be planted.

I must REALLY be drawn to morning glorys because I have 21 different kinds, the oldest is from 2007! I also have multiple packets of moonflower. Most are named cultivars, but 4 are noids with labels "pretty lavender", "back deck", "potting shed", "japanese". I plan to sow all of these too. I know where I would put a few, but if a lot of them germinate, I have no idea where they will be planted. I would have to think of something. My mind is already turning ideas over, but no sense putting the cart before the horse.

For both zinnias and morning glorys, the recommendation is to direct sow. I read that they can be started indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost, and that is what I will do. It will give me more insight as far as germination goes. If any seeds do germinate and grow, I will be able to collect seeds of my favorites.

Anyway, I realize that my tendency has been to acquire seeds but never actually sow them The only seeds that I've sown and had success with in the past are tomatoes and one very satisfying effort at growing lambs ears. Those initial lambs ears grown from seed about 15 years ago have survived and have spread nicely in the Cottage Garden. Attempts at other things have either not germinated at all, or germinated but neglected to thin, up pot, or plant out. I am pretty inspired to turn that around, sow everything that I have, nurture anything that germinates, and finally gain some practical first hand knowledge about the process.

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