Hi 2Kids1Bike,

" So the single or double traits I are specific to the actual flower and not the plant? "

The single/double genetics are probably the same over the entire plant, even though they just show up in the blooms.

On a different subject, you might want to diversify the zinnias you grow. There are currently a lot of different zinnia varieties to choose from. I like the Cactus Flowered types, including the Burpeeana Giants.

They can get as large as 6 inches across, although most are 5 inches or a little more. When Burpee introduced them a good many years ago, an improved plant habit (bushier) was mentioned.

ZM

The genetics are the same but a "single" flower would likely produce another single?

Hi 2Kids1Bike,

"...but a "single" flower would likely produce another single? "

If you pollinated the single with its own pollen or the pollen from another single zinnia, then yes, the "single" flower would likely produce another single. If you pollinated the "single" with pollen from a "double" you could get doubles from the single. The degree of "doubleness" can vary a lot. This specimen was very double, perhaps too much so for its own good.

I noticed that the doubles in your photos are not extremely double. I am not as much concerned with singleness or doubleness as I am with the shape of the individual petals.

I am interested in different flower forms in zinnias, and there are some interesting forms available commercially, such as the Zinderellas. They could produce some interesting results when crossed with other zinnias.

ZM

@ZenMan Have you ever planted zinnia Dreamin' Mix from Siskiyu seeds? I just dibbed on some in a swap and I'm excited to grow them next spring. This is the first time I've seen this variety. Some of my favorite zinnias are the Queen Lime series, Envy Green, Purple Prince and Summer Pinwheels from Renee's Garden. You're tempting me to grow cactus flowered again with all of your awesome pictures. Great job!

Hi Mollie,

"Have you ever planted zinnia Dreamin' Mix from Siskiyu seeds?"

I don't believe I ever heard of Siskiyu seeds or Dreamin' Mix. I am familiar with those varieties from Renee's Garden. Siskiyu Seeds sounds like a Japanese company. Or maybe that is the Oregon seed company, https://www.siskiyouseeds.com/
In any case, you may have some unusual zinnias there, and we would appreciate pictures of them when they become available.

ZM

@ZenMan I'm attaching the photos from the website of the Dreamin' Mix. I'll try to remember to post pictures next summer when they bloom.

Hello Mollie,

Those Dreamin' Mix specimens appear to be selections from the Whirligig strain of zinnias. The Whirligigs were produced by inter-specific crosses between Z. haageana and Z. violacea (Z. elegans). Whirligigs are an excellent addition to a zinnia breeding project because of their interspecific ancestry. You are entitled to refer to your zinnias as "Zinnia hybrida" when you include Whirligigs in the mix.

I recommend that you include some Whirligigs in your breeding project because they include features that apparently do not appear in the Dreamin' Mix. I recommend GeoSeed as a seed source. Whirligigs have a variety of flower forms including some "toothy" petal ends.


I strongly recommend Whirligigs and https://geoseed.com/ for any zinnia hobby breeding project.

ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

@ZenMan I'll have to order some Whirligig next year from GeoSeed if I don't get any in a swap. I already put my Geo order in for the year. I'm not planning on breeding at this point but I like to try new varieties. I did get some seeds from a swapper that they called "Crouching Tiger x Cactus morph" that they collected from their garden. I'm excited to see what they look like.

Thanks for the link, Zen. I will check them out.
Hi Mollie:
I notice the last of the photos you posted looks similar to the Profusion Zinnia I grew from the previous year's saved seeds:

I was surprised to grow anything similar to parent from these saved seeds since Profusion is listed as hybrid.

@ZenMan how's your razzle dazzle project coming along? I think that is definitely a unique looking zinnia you have there.

Hello. Sorry, I've been absent. I got real busy! I grew a few Zinnia this year. Didn't bother much to cross them, though. I was going to buy some seeds at a local garden center to start over the winter (I have grow lights), but the garden center has replaced the seed rack with Christmas decorations

Sedumzz
I hate when that happens. Always wonder, too, what do they do with leftover seed packets.
Anyway, nice to hear from you.

Hi Alex,

If you are still in the market for some zinnia seeds, I recommend the mailorder firm GeoSeed https://geoseed.com/. GeoSeed does not have an online store, but they sell the "old-fashioned" way, namely mail-order via a paper order form.

I placed an order with them earlier, and I have some of their zinnia seeds indoors in the seedling stage now. You can order their catalog online. And you can read the online version of the GeoSeed catalog. No pictures, but a very wide selection. Or, if you are in a hurry, most seed companies do have an online store. I already received my Burpee order and have some Burpee zinnias also up in the seedling stage.

This Winter I plan to experiment with triploid zinnias, so I am growing both the normal diploid zinnias as well as some tetraploid zinnias.

ZM

katesflowers said: Sedumzz
I hate when that happens. Always wonder, too, what do they do with leftover seed packets.
Anyway, nice to hear from you.

Kate! I once went to Walmart late fall and I stumbled upon a crime scene! There was a big cart full of a giant pile of seeds in the outdoor center, which was otherwise empty. I think I still have photos of it somewhere

I saw one of those "crime scenes" clearance sales with seed packets priced at 10 cents each!

ZM

Whoa, now that's a deal!

Hi again,

It's been a while since I posted any Zinnia pictures, and apparently, I can't break the habit. Don't forget, you can see a larger version by clicking on them.





Those are a zinnia version of a white Christmas. Merry Christmas, everyone.

ZM

ZenMan ~ Oh, that is a perfect White Christmas! Are you thinking of introducing it?

Beautiful! Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year everyone,

I hope to grow some zinnia specimens similar to these later this year.



ZM