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This article should help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/natural-home-pesticides-organic-garden-pest-control.htm

There can be several things that can cause faded blooms on plants. The most common is that the flowers fade in color as the bloom gets older. But if your plant started out with faded color, it may be that it is lacking fertilizer or is seeing sunlight much more intense than it is use to.

They may be suffering from a bit of transplant shock. Extra water and a light dose of sugar should help to perk them back up.

These flower seeds do not typically require any soaking and can just be planted directly in the garden or pots.

It sounds like it is a different plant entirely. Seed companies are like any other company. Sometimes their products are "defective" - no matter how good the company is. You may have gotten a seed packet that was end of a run before the machine was switched or an employee made a mistake.

If you send a picture to me I can try to identify it.

Both of these plants are considered annuals and will not come back in spring. However, seeds that have dropped will oftentimes surprise you each spring with new sprouts, though maybe not where you plan for them to be. Of course, you can also save the seeds from the blooms you've cut back and sow them yourself too. These articles will help with planting and growing marigolds and zinnia: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/marigold/growing-marigold-flowers.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/zinnia/growing-zinnia-flowers.htm