Didn't know where else to post

Zinnias have been struggling all summer. So much rain, so many bugs!

They are beautiful!
Some years,----some plants seem to struggle.
The nice thing is we can try again next year.

Arlene those look wonderful! I especially like the last two pictures. My poor zinnias (as well as other plants) are struggling in this heat and drought. The only ones that have healthy blooms are a couple of Giants of California, and a Candy cane zinnia. I wish some of that rain would come this way

Thanks. The last two are Hybrids but i will save seeds anyway. I like to see what happens. For lack of rai, yours look nice. More rain last 2 days and more expected but my celosia is about 6' and dahlias even taller.

Thanks Arlene. I didn't know celosias grew that tall, that's amazing. Last year I had a problem with mildew on my zinnias, this year I none have mildew. I just wish it would rain soon, its been over 100 for the past couple of weeks.

I didn't know it grew that tall either!

We usually suffer the same, drought and very hot. This year it was even cooler except August is being true to form, very hot and muggy. I had to quit today at 2:30, I just couldn't take the heat.

Early this morning I marked some of the zinnia blossoms to save the seeds.

When I went outside to take some pictures of my plants, I was soaked in sweat. I was only out there a few minutes lol. I need to stop deadheading mine so I can collect seeds.

Beautiful zinnias!

Thanks. Funny, the main cutting row is starting to fade away but most of the volunteers are still going strong. I may take some pictures tomorrow of the flower part of the garden even with all the grass because there's really quite a bit still in blossom. But I'm ready to pull seed heads from zinnias tomorrow and pull out any plant that has started to dry up.

One of the first flowers of this year. A plant who came from fallen seeds of flowers of last year.

Some flowers of last year ...

abhege said:... Funny, the main cutting row is starting to fade away but most of the volunteers are still going strong. ...

All the plants seeds directly in soil in final location (so they will not be transplanted), are more resistant. They develop a good root, which go deeper and explore better the surrounding soil. That make them more vigorous, fast growing and they can better withstand drought. Primarily, the power of a plant, comes from the root.

Okay, @Justin I was going to plant in paper pots but you've convinced me to direct sow! Gonna try and do that this afternoon. The sooner I have zinnias for cutting, the better.

By the way, very nice photos, beautiful flowers!!!

Zinnia is one of the colors of my childhood garden, the garden of my parents.
...
Some say sometimes the first bud is not so ... handsome ...
Really?
Let's see ...

Zinnia

Yesterday,
Today,
Tomorrow ...
Don't worry,
Childhood's flowers
Will be with you
In everyday.

The same flower, Cinderella above, but ... yesterday. Unbelievable ... isn't it?


A new face ... in the garden


Well

I think I must have a private conversation with Mr. Flea Beetle from flower above. This time it's forgiven ... but it must not happen again. I think it mistook the flower with the flower Showy Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
No, just that he ate some petals ... but looks curiously the color of left petals

I just was outside, I looked to Zinnia and ... unbelievable, "I wrong the Cinderella" ... I thought scared.
I ran back and I checked my records. Ufff ... I was not wrong, the photos are correct.
I have the proof
05 May, 2014 and 11 May, 2014
The plant can be identified in the above photos. Is the same Cinderrella.
Please be indulgent with the weeds from photos above. I studied some of them. I was particularly interested in a new (new for me), and unfortunately invasive, Fatoua villosa (Mulberry-Weed) and a species of Chamaesyce (Euphorbia Family). But enough with them, the Mulberry-Weed start to make seeds and I transplanted two of Chamaesyce (in order to survey the evolution and maybe to ID to species).

I tried seeds this year and will return to me "no seeds ever" philosophy. They just dont work for me.
I do love this Redman Cactus type the only seed that germinated and the color is so intense I can see the flower 40 feet away.

Wow, that is gorgeous!

Here are some of mine from seed

Ohhhh Arlene yous bunches of zinnias is great. I have really pathetic showing this first year. Next year I will do a better job of scouting out great plants.

I had trouble with germination this year though for some reason. I direct sow and I had to plant them three times! I've never had that problem before.