jimard8 said: California Giants smaller near classic ,, and a larger fuller nearing the Ball Head , Pretty near what I usually get from saved seeds ...
Hi Jim,
Hopefully you can improve your zinnias by saving seeds from just your best specimens. I notice in that first picture that you have an expansive lawn in the background. If you wanted to, you could widen the bed you have your zinnias in so you could grow more zinnias. A bigger zinnia population increases your chances of finding that one extra special specimen that you can save seeds from.
That first "find" is key to improving your enjoyment with zinnias. Because those seeds will create a new population that is based on a much better baseline. A "find" in that improved population is likely to make some very significant progress. Repeatedly selecting the best of the best is a powerful tool for improving your zinnias. All of the commercial zinnia varieties have "run out" to varying degrees, and desperately need some re-selection to restore their original glory.
This is one of my tubular petaled zinnias that resembles a California Giant bloom from a distance.
Its petal tube ends superficially resemble the ends of the California Giant petals. Of course, not all tubular petaled zinnias have that California Giant look.
Anyhow, if you were to increase your zinnia population this year, you would increase your chances of finding a suitable breeder specimen to base your next zinnia generation on. There is actually quite a bit of variation in the basic California Giant flower form.
This is another bloom from my last Summer garden.
I had to cross some of those blooms with other blooms, because they didn't produce any pollen.
Whatever you do, keep on the lookout for any interesting zinnias in your flower beds this year.
ZM
