The Mystery of the Zinnia Transplants

[DamonM]

I planted a bunch of zinnias back in early February growing them indoors under a grow lamp setup. About a week ago I moved them outside to a shady spot, and after a week they were looking pretty good, and since the last freeze date just passed I thought I’d plant them in their new homes in my garden beds. I planted them in the late afternoon, added a bit of liquid root stimulator and watered them in. Imagine my surprise the next afternoon when I came out to check on them and all 20-30 of them (save for one) were wilted and dead looking. To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement but where in the heck did I go wrong so it doesn’t happen again? After two days in the sun and with me continuing to give a bit of water they are still wilted looking- but not crunchy, which seems odd to me. Does anyone have any ideas? I don’t think a plant can survive once this happens to their leaves, right? Pictures attached.

 

[Silentrunning]

Damon, welcome to the forum. If you could post your location we can give you a better analysis. It really looks like frost did themin.

 

[DamonM]

Damon, welcome to the forum. If you could post your location we can give you a better analysis. It really looks like frost did themin.

Thanks, I’m in Dallas TX. No frost here, hasn’t gotten below the upper 40’s.

 

[alp]

Zinnias like it sunny and hot. Mine any way!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Welcome to the forum @DamonM .

Oh dear they do look poorly

Not sure why though,as @alp said ,over here they thrive in hot and sunny garden areas.
I grow them every year and never have such problems. The only thing I would suggest is that they do look a bit small ,I grow mine on more so that I plant out larger/stronger plants which are more able to cope with the elements.
Also I have never added root stimulators....in fact I don't add anything!

 

[LIcenter]

My thought also is they were not far enough along, with too little root structure to keep them going as a transplant. I would just seed the area you want them in.

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Yes agree. I have done both...sown early in trays then direct sown again a couple of months later.

 

[DamonM]

Good advice all around. I was hoping to get a jump on spring by planting early. Maybe I need to do something to encourage root development earlier in to give them a better start like a different grow bulb that radiates only a vegetative growth range of light. Some were starting to flower when I put them out, perhaps they didn’t have enough root strength to support everything. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[LouisFerdinand]

My grandfather has grown the tall zinnias for years.
Your transplants should be much bigger before they are planted outdoors.