Zenman,
I'm hoping this next season to start cross pollinating them. Although I have been planting zins, I never planted as many as I did this year. Part of the reason was because they grow so quickly and my hubby has a habit of taking my flowers out and I need quick replacements. Nothing does that like a zinnia. The other part was I wanted plenty of seed to start this project. I do not have whirlygigs planted yet. I've been mulling over whether I should plant them next year and it seems you've just convinced me yet again when it comes to zins.
This year I planted the lilac and peach zinderellas. I had the oddest one pop up that was just truly gorgeous. Sadly no pics as my computer blew up and took all my pics with it but this turned out to be more of a carnation type zinnia. It was a cream with peach picotee edgings. That gave me the fever to speed things up a bit. Somehow I think this winter I will spend a great deal more time here and at GW going through your posts. You've had some really great information for me and really, whether or not I have a greenhouse is moot. I live in a warm area where I have a wee bit more time to grow and start again than others. Thank you so much for the inspiration. And your zinnias are just beautiful.
It's not just color that does it for me with the zinnias. It's the many forms you have been able to produce. As in the last pic on the right. Who knew that cross pollinating zinnias would do this? To me, that flower is lovely for the toothy petals simplicity. I want to do that too. You have had so many that you didn't care for but I would be thinking, why? It's beautiful. But the more I read, the more I understand what it was you didn't like about it. I have alot to learn, but somehow I think I've found the right teacher.
