Viewing post #1128520 by ZenMan

carebear2056 said:...I am in need of very concise and basic information to get me started in breeding zinnias so I can, in turn, introduce my son to the art and hobby of cross breeding while learning myself. It is a way I can spend quality time with him outside, doing something he loves, something I love, etc etc. You get my point,

Hi carebear,
I do get your point. Welcome to you and your young son to the zinnia breeding hobby. Zinnias are appropriate for children because they are easy to grow, they grow fast, and their seeds are big enough to be easy to handle. As an adult, I also appreciate the easy-to-handle nature of zinnia seeds. Petunia seeds are just too tiny for me. And I don't want to wait years to see the results of a cross. I am impatient, and zinnias bloom in about 6 weeks from seed, so that appeals to me.

carebear2056 said:I have spent several weeks scannning over your threads but I still don't quite get the actual process.

Zinnias are actually quite easy to breed, because their flower parts are also rather large, convenient to access, and easy to handle. To cross one zinnia with another, simply use tweezers or forceps to "pick" one of the pollen florets (the fuzzy yellow starfish shaped parts) from one zinnia and rub it on one or more of the stigmas (Y-shaped antenna-like parts at the base of each petal) of another zinnia. The pollen you transferred will fertilize the seed at the base of the petal that had the stigma. Or you can apply the pollen to the stigmas of the same bloom if you want to "self" that bloom.

carebear2056 said:I tend to get a bit dismayed with certain terminology. (I think you should write a book!!-"Breeding Zinnias for Dummies??"

Maybe I should write a book. This picture shows the basic terminology of pollen florets and stigmas.

carebear2056 said:I live in South Florida, zone 10. Any advice would be appreciated :)

You probably have a much longer growing season than I do here in Kansas, and that could work to your advantage. You might be able to grow two generations of zinnias per year more easily than I do here in Kansas. As soon as you make a zinnia cross, you start wondering what it will look like, and it is great if you don't have to wait until next year to see the results.

Let's continue this discussion, because there is so much to talk about. Having a 9-year old involved adds a new dimension to the discussion.

ZM