I started to just leave the section as it was and my zinnia notes in the gardening section but as I was gathering information to make this more informative, I learned something new.

Edwards Nursery mentions looking for a plant that has a lot of stem and then planting that deep so that it can make more roots. I had never heard of doing this before since the plant always does better when it grows where the seed was planted. I guess that it could be a factor if you were purchasing a plant from a garden center but we've always only bought seeds. There are usually a few to be thinned and I hate to just toss them aside to die. Planting them deep would be a better way to help get them started. The other plants left in their rows could benefit from having dirt brought up around their stems like Byron Tumlinson recommends for having better corn stalks. Those don't grow new roots but the added support is excellent.

This year has been a disaster. We have had some beautiful flowers but they are in a place where I cannot get to most of the row. I let a good bit of my seeds get rained on and ruined but hope for a better year this next spring and summer. I will have more gardens and space for them. The soaker hose system was so bad that I had to give it up and go to watering by hand about 3 weeks ago. Quite a chore when I don't have any time to spare.

Water splashing on the flower stem is what causes it to discolor and lose its leaves. It usually has no effect on the plant or flowers but in a formal garden, it can be considered unsightly. The dwarf varieties fill in well and do help conceal the problem, BUT they are shorter and much harder to reach when they need tending. The miniature blooms are so cute in a small vase. Well worth the effort when you can. I am still at a loss for a better method of watering than the soaker hoses. Our hard water coats them with heavy white buildup that won't allow water through. Then, the moles chew through the hoses looking to get more water and the leak won't allow water to go anywhere else. 

One of our contributors has shared some Zinnia seeds and I plan to plant some of each variety.  The one color I have found missing in the mixes I did plant was purple. I sure like the many different shades of purple from pale & light to deep and dark. There were a few shades of red and orange but there is nothing so pretty as a vase full of purples with 3 or four white flowers included for contrast. Excellent. Of course a vase of oranges and yellows is awesome for the bathroom, the colors are just right.

I had read an article about making flower vases from old glass soda bottles. Well, there just aren't many around anymore and they weren't very big. A bud vase  for just one flower would be all they were worth. I need something more substantial. But their idea was to spray the surface with spray glitter. With some spray and maybe a few other decorations, I can turn my saved containers into something beautiful and worthy to carry gorgeous fresh from the garden blossoms for gifts and showing off.

Oh yes, I read again where I had written about wanting to dry some of the Zinnias to have them to enjoy during the winter. Yes, I did get the silica gel and I did start one or two. Now, if I could just figure out where I put them to dry. I use the BIG margarine tubs for many things and I have them in sight and will look to see what is yet inside.