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The Cutting Garden

zinnia problems

15 years ago

My zinnias this year are green, had plenty of rain here in Michigan, I've used a fungicide,it's been pretty wet,and have used sevin once,(japanese beatles)I fertilize with fish emulsion. Here's my problem,I first noticed stems with nice big buds bending at the top, stems seem soft, and very few flowers. Nothing had changed much from last year except I did replant in the same place. The plants look healthy. just lots of bent over stems and few blooms.

Any ideas?

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Comments (2)

bfff_tx
15 years ago
Sounds like the plants are possibly getting too much nitrogen. How often are you giving them the Fish Emulsion and how much of it. I'd be inclined if they have healthy growth to fertilise them with a super bloom (phosphate) fertilizer. Make sure the 2nd no. is in the 50's and the 1st no. (nitrogen) is below 5 (if possible).
Cheers - Kim
Billabong Fresh Flower Farm
upson22
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for your advice, I'll give it a try, I've only fertilized with the fish emulsion twice, I used 2 quarts in 2 100' rows.
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