Zinnia haageana

‘Aztec Sunset Improved’

AZTEC SUNSET ZINNIAS

Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’
AZTEC SUNSET ZINNIAS

Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ gives you pom-pom double flowers with wonderfully intricate markings.

Different & interesting colours & patterns

Blooms are a kaleidoscope of chic sunset and earth colours, in detailed formal patterns.
No two flowers are alike, and each plant has its own unique colour and pattern combinations.

Chequerboard patterns in chic sunset & earth colours

So the chequerboard patterns can be in all sorts of colour combinations.
Including burgundy, wine, crimson, cream, antique rose, rust and lemon shades.
Blooms of ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ offer a chic range of very fashionable colours, in striking combinations.

Compact all-rounder for garden & pot display 

Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ quickly makes sturdy, compact, bushy plants which are soon covered with a mass of pom-pom blooms.

Mass of blooms cover the sturdy bushes

So although each flower is a ball of only about 4cm. diameter – there are so many of them – they simply cover the sturdy little bushes.
And make a great show.

Excellent commercial cut flowers for floristry

S0 ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ is a perfect all-rounder for garden display, striking pots, or popular floristry flowers.
And there is nothing like them for colour interest.

How are they “Improved”?

Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ really are a much improved version over the old, original haageana strains.
1. Flower stems are longer, and clean – making them darlings for florists and vase arrangements.
2. Flower production is even more prolific.
3. Blooming season is extended – from mid-summer right through autumn to the first frosts.
4. Plants have enhanced resistance to summer humidity and mildew diseases.
5. The colour combinations are rich and stunningly beautiful.

Favourites for florists

Florists would be lost without Zinnias because they are so durable, long lasting and easy to use in bouquets.
With Zinnia flowers lasting beautifully for up to two weeks in the vase.

A bouquet for absent friends

Zinnias symbolize thoughts of absent friends in the traditional language of flowers.
But Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ is a modern floristry superstar, because every bloom is unique and in such a fashionable colour range.

Long blooming beauty – cut & come again

‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ is exceptionally long blooming, with durable flowers, plus a constant procession of new buds emerging.
And it is a splendid “cut & come again” plant.
Because the more blooms you cut the more it produces.

Great bee food

Bees and butterflies cannot believe their luck with this long blooming smorgasbord of nectar and pollen, served up right through summer and autumn.
So they make ideal companions in the veggie and picking garden, where they haul in the pollinators for you.

Repellent to rabbits and deer

Fortunately rabbits and deer are unlikely to find the flavour of Zinnias palatable.

Easy to grow in the garden or field

Grow Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ in well-drained soils, with plenty of sun.
They prefer lighter soils, from the sandy side to good garden loam. But can also tolerate clay based soils as long as they are opened up with plenty of organic matter to improve drainage.
Plants are also tolerant of a wide range of soil pH, from acid to alkaline lime based soils.
But do not over fertilize for best flowering results – they prefer top do it a little tough and lean.

Water-wise

Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ are water-wise plants to grow, requiring only minimal additional water during hot periods.
They relish summer heat and are drought resistant.

Bask in the sun

Zinnias bask in the sun, and like plenty of fresh air movement.
So they are ideal for more exposed sites and sea-side gardens, with their strong, stout stems.
They are after all natives of Mexico, and southwestern America, and as such well adapted to summer heat.

Improved tolerance of summer humidity

But ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ is preferred for areas with any summer humidity
As it has been especially bred to have enhanced resistance to mildew diseases.

Super quick & easy from seed to bloom

Zinnia haageana ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ generally takes around 70-90 days from sowing the seed to harvesting flowers.

Traditional medicinal plant

Zinnias were commonly used by native North American peoples for anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory medicines.
Though some tribes also believed the flowers should be regularly fed to children to improve their IQ !!!

Prolific blooming annual which makes compact and well branched plants, producing a multitude of blooms.
45cm. High with eye catching, double, pom-pom flowers x 30cm. Wide bushy foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Very suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Zinnias can be started very quickly from seed indoors. Ready for earliest possible flowers and longest possible flower production.
But do prick them out quickly from their seedling punnets as they quickly develop a long, strong root system.
Though they can also be very successfully sown direct into the garden.
But you need to wait until day and night temperatures are quite warm.

Sow indoors for quick plants & early flowers: First sow the seed in a punnet on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix, to ensure good contact.

Now cover the seeds only very lightly to a maximum depth of 1.5mm.
And you can use sieved mix, or fine grit, or vermiculite, or washed sand to sprinkle over the seeds.

Then place the sown punnet into a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up through the mix from the bottom to the surface.

Now place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).

Zinnia love warmth to sprout

Temperatures of 22-29°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
And do use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one, to keep the heat up and encourage rapid germination A warm window-sill or well-lit corner is also fine once temperatures are warm enough.

Adding a clear plastic cover or plastic bag helps to retain moisture in the punnet.

And continue to keep the punnet moist by spraying the surface of the mix with a fine spray water bottle as required.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 3-7 days.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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