Gladiolus and Zinnia Issues in Mississippi: Sprouting, Mildew, Herbicide Damage

Mississippi kindergarten teacher: some gladiolus corms haven't sprouted; zinnias vary—some bushy, some skinny, some yellow/brown. Fungicide/insecticide helped slightly; some hit by weed killer.

Gladiolus

• Wait another week—corms sprout sporadically.
• Keep moist, not soggy. Mississippi rain usually sufficient.
• Can still plant more (90 days to bloom).

Zinnias

• Prone to powdery mildew—space plants, water at base.
• Remove diseased plants, burn (don't compost).
• Weed killer damage: severely hit plants won't recover; pull them.
• Pinch skinny seedlings to encourage branching.

Key Lesson

Air circulation + base watering = fewer zinnia diseases. Herbicide drift is deadly.