Failure to thrive annuals?

[TEM325]

I've never had trouble w/ zinnias before and this year, two of my red zinnias just shriveled up, turned brown, and died after just one bud bloomed. And, a purple petunia plant between them is fading fast....they're in direct sunlight in RI, but I give them plenty of water, and zinnias are supposed to enjoy the heat. Bummer....I have one little area that is bare now because of these dying. Do you think there's something wrong w/ this particular area of soil? 

[treedimensional]

Jul 16, 2013 21:07:30 GMT -5 TEM325 said:

I've never had trouble w/ zinnias before and this year, two of my red zinnias just shriveled up, turned brown, and died after just one bud bloomed. And, a purple petunia plant between them is fading fast....they're in direct sunlight in RI, but I give them plenty of water, and zinnias are supposed to enjoy the heat. Bummer....I have one little area that is bare now because of these dying. Do you think there's something wrong w/ this particular area of soil? 

Too dry / too wet? Zinnias are very susceptible to rot if soil/foliage is damp.