How to care for petunia
Growing Petunia Flowers: Your Complete Care Guide
A guide to growing gorgeous petunia flowers in your garden or in containers By Anne Balogh Updated 1/26/2022
Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® grows at the front of this landscape bed. Photo courtesy: Proven Winners.
When I was growing up, my grandmother introduced me to purple grandiflora petunias, which she brought home from the nursery by the dozens to brighten up her summer garden. They were the first flowers I ever planted, and I have been madly in love with petunias ever since.
Today, there are even more reasons to fall in love with them because there are so many more choices. From compact types with dime-size blooms to spreading or trailing varieties that reach to 4 feet, they now come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, petal profiles, and growth habits. This new-generation has also been bred to outperform their predecessors, producing nonstop blooms all summer long on sturdier, easy-to-grow plants.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Petunia Pictures | Types | Design Ideas
On this page:
- BASICS
- PLANTING PETUNIAS
- PETUNIA CARE & MAINTENACE
- PETUNIA PICTURES
- TYPES OF PETUNIAS
- DESIGN IDEAS
BASICS
Are petunias perennials or annuals?
Although they are actually classified as tender perennials, they won't tolerate frost so they are commonly grown as annuals in most climates.
Sun or shade?
Full sun
Bloom time:
Summer
Color and characteristics:
You can find them in just about any color, even black, as well as striped, veined, and speckled patterns. The variety of flower forms is also impressive, ranging from petite to palm-sized in single or double blooms with ruffled, fringed, or smooth edges.
HOW TO PLANT PETUNIAS
When to plant:
In spring, after the threat of frost has passed.
Where to plant:
For the best performance, plant in full sun (at least six hours a day). They will tolerate some shade, but may not flower as prolifically.
Soil:
They grow best in a light, fertile soil that provides good drainage and is slightly acidic (pH 6 to 6.5). In heavy clay soils, work some compost, or other organic matter into the ground before planting. When planting in containers, use a free-draining soilless potting mix fortified with a slow-release fertilizer.
Grow petunias from seed:
You can also grow many types from seed if you’re after a certain variety not available as a transplant. Because petunia seeds are very tiny and slow to germinate, you’ll have better success starting the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area and transplanting the seedlings into the garden once the soil warms up.
PETUNIA CARE
Water:
Petunias need regular watering because their shallow root systems dry out quickly. However, make sure the soil is well drained because soggy soil can cause root rot and yellowed foliage. Petunias grown in containers may need more frequent watering, possibly every day, especially in hot weather.
Fertilizing:
To keep petunias blooming vigorously throughout the summer, apply a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer or a slow-release granular fertilizer at the time of planting. Plants in containers often need more frequent fertilizing because the nutrients get washed out.
Pruning and deadheading:
The amount of pruning required often depends on the variety you’re growing.
- Traditional grandifloras require the most work and need frequent deadheading to prevent plants from going to seed.
- Self-cleaning and spreading varieties do fine without pinching or pruning. Occasional deadheading will boost flower production and create fuller plants.
- If your plants begin to get leggy and have fewer blooms, cutting them back will encourage new growth and more branching.
For more, see: How to Deadhead Petunias and How to Prune Petunias.
Pests and diseases:
Petunias can be bothered by pests like aphids, thrips, mites, caterpillars and budworms; as well as powdery mildew.
Get more advice on keeping your petunias blooming all summer long.
PETUNIA PICTURES
Swipe to view slides
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® — Buy now from Proven Winners
Rock stars in the landscape, the Vista® series makes a huge visual impact. Bubblegum® forms a thick carpet of pink blooms that will quickly cover any empty, sunny space in the garden. Its stems will easily grow three feet long in a spreading mound.
Height:
12 to 24 inches
Spread:
24 to 36 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Royal Velvet® — Buy now from Proven Winners
It's easy to see why this is a top seller! Royal Velvet® is heat and drought tolerant and produces an abundance of deep purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Pair with just about any other color in beds, hanging baskets, and containers.
Height:
6 to 12 inches
Spread:
18 to 24 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Bordeaux™ — Buy now from Proven Winners
The dramatic veining pattern of this purple petunia is unlike any other. This award-winning annual is prized for its vigor and ease—no deadheading required. Grow on its own or pair it with other strong growers like Superbells® Calibrachoa or Superbena® Verbena.
Height:
6 to 12 inches
Spread:
18 to 24 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia Mini Vista® Pink Star — Buy now from Proven Winners
This vigorous grower will be the star of your garden with cheery pink and white striped flowers. Heat and drought tolerant, they'll provide a garden pick-me-up wherever you need it.
Height:
6 to 12 inches
Spread:
18 to 24 inches
2021 National Annual of the Year
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Black Cherry® — Buy now from Proven Winners
This stunning semi-trailing petunia is covered by cherry-red flowers with black accents from spring until frost. Plant in hanging baskets or containers and allow it to spill over the edges. Combine with Supertunias® Bordeaux™ and Vista® Fuchsia.
Height:
6 to 12 inches
Spread:
24 to 30 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Sharon — Buy now from Proven Winners
A double petunia hybrid, Sharon is heat tolerant and long blooming. Show off the bi-color pink blooms in window boxes, hanging baskets, planters, or at the front of a mixed bed or border.
Height:
6 to 12 inches
Spread:
18 to 24 inches
Photo by: Luisa Fumi / Shutterstock.
Petunia Night Sky®
White speckles on a deep-purple backdrop give this mesmerizing petunia the look of stars twinkling in the night sky. The variance between day and night temperatures causes the luminous white stars to appear in constantly changing configurations.
Height:
10 to 13 inches
Spread:
20 to 30 inches
Photo courtesy: All-America Selections.
Tidal Wave® Silver Petunia
Dazzling silvery white blooms with dark purple centers and delicate purple veining. Even more impressive is the plant’s ability to be used as a hedge, climbing vine, or fast-growing groundcover.
Height:
16 to 22 inches
Width:
30 to 60 inches
Photo by: GWI/Botanic Images Inc. / Age Fotostock.
Cascadias™ Autumn Mystery
A semi-trailing petunia with an ever-changing combination of colors. The blooms open with pale yellow petals and mahogany-brown centers, and gradually fade to cream and deep purple. Also boasts a long bloom season, from late spring to early fall.
Height:
12 to 14 inches
Spread:
16 to 20 inches
Photo courtesy: All-America Selections.
Wave® Carmine Velour
Lauded for its velvety carmine-rose blooms that remain vibrant, come rain or shine. Large flowers, 2- to 3-inches, cover the entire plant, creating a blanket of color that lasts from spring until the first frost.
Height:
6 to 8 inches
Spread:
3 to 4 feet
TYPES OF PETUNIAS
Nearly all petunia plants sold today are hybrids. Some new petunia varieties and hybrids have become so popular, they have created a class of their own, such as the Supertunia®. (See more on how to grow Supertunias.)
Compare the different types of petunias.
IDEAS FOR USING PETUNIAS IN THE LANDSCAPE
Petunias are very popular flowers for adding instant color to a garden. They are incredibly versatile and can be used in many ways. Here are some ideas:
- Plant them as colorful additions to seasonal landscape beds
- Grow them individually in hanging baskets and window boxes or along with other strong growers
- Use them in containers as the filler or spiller component
- Plant petunias in masses for a dramatic blanket of color
- Cover bare spots in your garden quickly and prevent weeds
Also: Learn how to plant, grow, and care for petunias in pots.
MORE ON PETUNIAS
Types of Petunias
Growing Petunias in Pots
How to Grow Supertunias
How & When to Deadhead Petunias
How & When to Prune Petunias
How to Keep Petunias Blooming
RELATED READING
Annual Flowers and Plants
Amazing Annuals for Sun
Container Plants for Sun
How to Grow and Care For Petunias
Petunias (Petunia spp. ) in flower beds and pots are one of the most popular garden flowers. They are prolific bloomers, and you can find them in just about every color but true blue. They have wide, trumpet-shaped flowers and branching foliage that is hairy and somewhat sticky. Within the petunia genus, there is great variety. Most are sold as hybrids and can have single or double blooms; ruffled or smooth petals; striped, veined, or solid colors; mounding or cascading growth habits; and even fragrance.
Petunias are fast-growing plants that will reach full size by late spring. When to plant petunias depends on your area's projected last spring frost date; the plants must not be exposed to any frost. You can keep petunias blooming all summer by giving them enough sun, water, and fertilizer; deadheading the spent blooms; and pruning back scraggly growth. In cold climates, petunias are annuals and only last one growing season. Within their warmer growing zones, petunias will come back every year but still don't last very long—about three years. However, they will self-seed for continued growth.
Common Name | Petunia |
Botanical Name | Petunia spp. |
Family | Solanaceae |
Plant Type | Annual, perennial |
Mature Size | 6–24 in. tall, 6-36 in. wide |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Soil Type | Well-drained, moist |
Soil pH | Acidic |
Bloom Time | Spring, summer, fall |
Flower Color | Pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, green, white |
Hardiness Zones | 10–11 (USDA) |
Native Area | South America |
Types of Petunias
There are many types of petunias that range in appearance and care needs. Based on their characteristics, the petunia varieties are split into five main groups:
- Grandiflora: These types of petunias have especially large flowers. But they struggle in hot, humid climates.
- Multiflora: These petunia varieties have smaller flowers than the grandiflora types, but they make up for it by producing more flowers. They also have a higher tolerance for wet conditions.
- Floribunda: These petunias fall somewhere in the middle of grandiflora and multiflora. They produce many moderately sized blooms.
- Milliflora: The flowers on these types of petunias stretch less than 2 inches across. But they are abundant and long-lasting.
- Trailing/spreading: Trailing petunias have a low-to-the-ground, spreading growth habit. They look great as ground cover or spilling over the edges of containers.
Petunia Care
Petunias like the sun versus shade. However, extreme summer heat with harsh sun can cause a temporary cease in blooming.
The plants will require regular watering and feeding throughout the growing season (spring to fall). And they might appreciate some protection from extreme weather, which can involve moving petunias in pots to a protected area or setting up a temporary cover over petunias in flower beds.
Watch Now: How to Care for Planting Petunias in a Hanging Basket
Light
Most petunia varieties like full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. But in the heat of summer, partial shade (especially from the strong afternoon sun) will help to keep them refreshed and blooming better.
Planting and Soil
Petunias prefer a light, fertile soil that provides good drainage. They can tolerate a variety of soil types as long as they are well-draining. Plus, they like a slightly acidic soil pH. Plant petunias outside after the threat of frost has passed, as the soil must be warm and workable. Plants should be spaced roughly a foot apart.
Water
Like many flowering annuals, petunias don’t like to be dry for long periods. But they also don’t like to sit in soggy soil, which can rot their roots. Plus, too much water can result in leggy plants with few flowers. In general, it's sufficient to soak beds weekly with 1 to 2 inches of water when you don't have rainfall. However, some spreading types of petunias and petunias in pots typically need more frequent and deep watering. Try not to let the soil dry out more than 2 inches down.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperatures for petunias are roughly 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can tolerate temperatures all the way down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost and freezing temperatures will damage and ultimately kill the plants. Low to moderate humidity levels are best for these flowers.
Fertilizer
Feed petunias at the time of planting with a balanced fertilizer. It’s also helpful to work some compost into the soil. Then, starting in July and continuing until the plants decline in the fall, fertilize every two to three weeks with a liquid fertilizer made for flowering plants. Some of the spreading types of petunias need weekly fertilization, so be sure to check your plant’s individual care instructions.
Pruning
When planting young petunias, pinch back the stems to encourage more branching and a fuller plant. How far back to pinch depends on the plant. If it is a short, stocky seedling, just pinch an inch or less. But if the seedling is gangly, you can pinch back the stem by half.
Propagating Petunias
Petunias can be propagated via stem cuttings. Gardeners often do this if they want to save a particular variety—especially one that’s hard to find at nurseries—and cultivate it indoors over winter until it can be planted outdoors after frost ceases in the spring. Take the cutting from a healthy plant in the fall prior to any frost. Here’s how:
- Trim off a healthy portion of stem that’s around 6 inches long. Opt for a green, supple stem over one that’s older and more woody.
- Remove foliage from the bottom half of the stem.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant the stem in a small container filled with moistened soilless potting mix, and place it in bright, indirect light.
- Keep the growing medium moist, and you should have root growth in a few weeks.
How to Grow Petunias From Seed
It's most common to purchase young petunia plants from a nursery. But it can be worth the challenge to grow petunias from seed, especially if you're trying for a particular variety. Start your petunia seeds at least 10 to 12 weeks before your zone's projected last frost date. Here are the steps for planting petunias from seed:
- Spread the tiny petunia seeds on top of a moist seed-starting mix. Gently press them down, but do not bury them as they need light to germinate.
- Then, cover the container with clear plastic, and put it in a warm spot but out of direct sunlight. You should see seedlings within seven to 10 days.
- Once seedlings emerge, remove the plastic.
- When the seedlings have three true leaves, they can be transplanted into their own pots until they are ready to be transplanted outdoors.
Potting and Repotting Petunias
Use a quality all-purpose potting mix for petunias. Petunias in pots can be spaced slightly closer than when they're in flower beds for a fuller look. But no more than three plants can go in a container that's 12 inches wide and deep. The container must have ample drainage holes. Any pot material should be fine, but opt for a light color to help prevent the roots from overheating.
It's best to start with a container that can accommodate your petunias' mature size to avoid having to repot. Disturbing the roots during the growing season might hinder blooming.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Some pests that might bother petunia plants include aphids, flea beetles, slugs, and snails that feed on the stems and leaves. Often you can just hose pests off the plants with a strong blast of water. But if the infestation is severe and impeding flowering, you can use an insecticide.
Petunias can be susceptible to fungal diseases, such as gray mold, especially in rainy climates. Opt for a variety that has a higher tolerance for moisture if you live in wet conditions.
How to Get Petunias to Bloom
The primary blooming season for petunias is in the summer, though they can start in the spring and stretch into fall until the temperature drops and frost arrives.
Older petunia varieties typically need deadheading (removing spent blooms) for them to continue blooming at their best throughout the summer. However, many newer varieties don’t require deadheading, though they’ll still benefit from it to maximize their blooms. If you'd like for your petunia to self-seed, leave the spent blooms on the plant. But if you want all of the plant's energy to go toward optimal flowering for one season—which is typically the case if you're growing it as an annual—deadheading is ideal.
Trimming back a leggy petunia plant in midsummer also can encourage fresh, healthy growth, which in turn can produce more branching and blooms.
Common Problems With Petunias
Petunias are easygoing plants that bloom often, but they occasionally have issues you likely can keep under control.
Wilted Flowers or Leaves
There are a number of reasons for wilted petunia flowers or leaves, but most of the reasons come down to water: too much or too little. Check the soil. If it's not damp, water your petunias. If it's moist, ease up on your watering routine.
Leggy Stems
Petunias often develop leggy stems, but it's easy enough to remedy: Deadhead flowers regularly, and pinch back the stems. If this doesn't help your petunias fill out, you can prune the stems back to 2 to 3 inches long. As the plant regrows, it should be less leggy.
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pentunia (Group). Missouri Botanical Garden.
Botrytis blight outbreaks expected in greenhouses due to weather. Michigan State University Extension.
Proper care of petunias in July - tricks to improve flowering
Caring for petunias does not take much effort and time, and you can enjoy the flowering of your favorite plants for a long time to come.
It is difficult to imagine a flower bed or an ampelous composition without annual petunias. These unpretentious flowers of a wide variety of shades bloom all summer and fill the air with a delicate aroma. If you have grown your petunia seedlings with love and have already enjoyed their first flowering, continue to care for the plants. And we will tell you what to remember in the middle of summer, so that there are even more flowers on the plants and they do not fade for a long time. nine0003
Step 1. Feed the petunias
Petunias take up a lot of nutrients from the soil when they first bloom. Therefore, throughout July, carry out two root dressings with urea (10 g per 10 liters of water). Thanks to nitrogen, the petunia will grow and bloom more magnificently. When the bushes are covered with new buds and flowers, stop feeding.
Petunia will also respond gratefully to top dressing with a 0.1% solution of potassium monophosphate, which accelerates the growth of shoots and protects plants from powdery mildew. Spray ampelous petunias after rain with a 0.01% composition (10 g per 10 l of water), because. from flowerpots and planters, nutrients leave faster than in open ground. Feeding with potassium monophosphate can be alternated with potassium nitrate (15 g per 10 liters of water) or store preparations (Fertika and others). nine0003
In July, stop feeding petunias with organic matter, this will inhibit the plants, which as a result will have a bad effect on their flowering.
Interestingly, petunia is a relative of tomatoes and potatoes, because also belongs to the Solanaceae family. Some summer residents successfully plant petunias on tomato bushes!
If the leaves of a petunia turn pale and yellow, it lacks iron. In advanced cases, such a dangerous disease as chlorosis can develop.0022, which often leads to the complete death of the plant. Therefore, urgent action needs to be taken. Pour the bushes with this solution: dilute 5 g of citric acid in 2 liters of water, then add 8 g of ferrous sulfate there. Watering should be as the soil dries out, but make sure that the drug does not get on the leaves, otherwise they will get burned.
Commercial products can also be used in case of iron deficiency. Ferovit treatments (1.5 ml of the drug per 1.5 l of water) have proven themselves well. 3-4 sprays every 5 days are enough for the petunia to get better. Foliar top dressing with complex fertilizer KompleMet (10 ml per 1 liter of water) will also help. nine0003
To prevent chlorosis, water petunias once a week with slightly acidified water (citric acid at the tip of a knife per 1 liter of water).
Step 2: Remove faded flowers
Faded flowers not only reduce the visual appeal of petunias, but also take away the strength of the plant. Instead of setting new buds, it begins to form seed pods. Therefore, regularly inspect the plants and remove any wilted flowers. You can simply pinch them with your hands or carefully cut them with scissors. During operation, it is better not to wear tight gloves so as not to damage the delicate stems. After the procedure, the petunia will have the opportunity to bloom magnificently again! nine0003
And if you want petunia seeds, leave some of the flowers until the seed pods form. But be prepared that new plants, especially hybrids, will not bloom as brightly and expressively as mother specimens.
If the cut flowers look healthy, it is worth laying them in the compost after removing the seed pods.
Step 3. Trim petunias
In July, the petunias begin to bloom worse, the buds become less and less, the stems lengthen. To prolong flowering and get a scattering of bright flowers, in the middle of summer it is necessary to rejuvenate the bushes with pruning. Here we are not talking about removing wilted flowers, but about shortening shoots, which also take strength from plants. nine0003
For the procedure, take sharp garden shears or a pruner and cut the plant branches by one third. Shoots in plants of ampelous varieties and hybrids can be safely shortened by half. Make cuts obliquely and do not forget to disinfect the instruments with alcohol or a solution of potassium permanganate before starting the procedure so as not to cause an infection. The cut pieces must be at least 3 cm long, otherwise the new shoots will grow too thin and may break off in the wind.
If the top (growing point) is removed from a young petunia, then it will begin to grow not up, but in width, which will make it possible to create beautiful flower arrangements. nine0003
Pruning should be done before top dressing, in order to feed the plant later and start flowering. As soon as the bush takes on a lush appearance and is covered with buds, stop pruning.
This procedure is effective only in combination with proper fertilizing and watering, otherwise the plant will weaken, the stems will grow thin and stunted.
Step 4. Water the petunias
Petunias love abundant and regular watering, so don't stop pleasing the flowers with fresh water in July. In hot weather, water flower beds with petunias in the morning and evening. Plants in flowerpots - in the morning or in the evening, avoiding stagnant water. nine0003
If the thermometer reads above 25°C, water the bushes in the evening with a spray hose – the petunias will love it! But carry out the procedure no more than once every 5 days, so as not to damage the flowers. More time-consuming, but also more careful will be spraying with water from a spray bottle.
Petunia normally tolerates waterlogged soil, but needs proper drainage.
Step 5. Make sure that other plants do not shade the petunias
Petunias will not thrive without sufficient light. Therefore, if a plant has grown in a flower bed, the bushes may not have enough sun. As a result, the stems will begin to grow upwards, and not on the sides, their appearance will worsen. It is not worth transplanting a petunia, it is better to cut the plants that have begun to close the bushes, or tie them up. nine0003
Plants on balconies and verandas must be protected from drafts and strong winds, otherwise the petunias will lose many shoots and buds. Put the flowerpots in a well-lit place, but preferably without scorching rays, and the plants will thank you with abundant flowering.
Step 6. Protect petunias from pests and diseases
Gray and wet rot, powdery mildew - just a small list of diseases that can reduce or completely stop the flowering of petunias. Considerable harm is caused to plants and insects: spider mites, aphids, thrips, etc. Therefore, do not forget about prevention and regularly inspect the bushes for the first signs of damage. Thanks to protective measures, the petunia will bloom luxuriantly throughout the season. nine0003
When the bushes are well lit and the plantings are not thickened, there is no need to worry too much about the health of the plants. Most importantly, do not allow wilted buds and other plant debris to rot under the petunias.
Drought is especially dangerous for petunias, because during this period, they may be attacked by a spider mite. Therefore, watering should be regular. Feeding is also important, which will increase the immunity of plants.
Involve ladybugs, lacewings, spiders, and other beneficial insects in your flower garden to control pests. nine0003
After the described care measures, petunias will bloom even more magnificently and longer. And your friends and neighbors will ask what is the secret of abundant flowering. In that case, share your new knowledge with them!
How to care for petunias
How to care for petunias
Petunias are one of the most beautiful and colorful annuals. The variety of colors, the abundance of flowers and the long flowering period make this plant the most common in garden plots. But in order for your petunias to please you, you need to know some of the subtleties of caring for this flower. nine0003
Planting petunias
How to grow petunias from seeds you can read in our article - Planting petunias for seedlings. Features of growing petunias from seeds.
All petunias are heat-loving plants, therefore seedlings should be planted in the ground when the threat of return frosts disappears. If you have purchased large seedlings of petunia, then the plants need to be acclimatized, because. most often, petunia seedlings are grown in greenhouse conditions. nine0003
Each petunia plant should be transplanted (transferred) into a suitable container. Remember, one plant needs at least 5 liters of soil, because the plant's root system is very powerful.
If you plan to plant petunia seedlings directly in open ground or in a hanging pot, the plants can be dried first. To prevent this from happening, shade the petunias from the bright sun and protect from the wind.
Most of all, petunias love sunny and wind-protected places. Of the soils, plants prefer loose and sufficiently fertilized neutral soils. If you have highly acidic soils, then add lime (200-300 g per sq.m.) before planting petunias. nine0003
Watering petunias
Petunias can survive short-term drying of the soil, but they cannot stand waterlogging. Plants should be watered with warm water, gently pouring under the root. Petunias do not like water on the leaves.
Petunia dressing
Petunias must be fed, and not only adult plants, but also seedlings need to be fed. If the petunia seedlings, with sufficient watering, the leaves began to turn yellow, fertilizing with iron from chlorosis is needed. nine0003
2 weeks after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, carry out the first fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers (nitroammophoska). By the beginning of the flowering of petunia plants, you need to start feeding with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. This contributes to a greater laying of flowers and more lush flowering of petunias. Plants are fed every 10 days.
Petunia plants grown in pots and limited containers - fed regularly with complex fertilizers.
Petunia Pinching
If you want to get a beautiful and neat petunia bush or a magnificent ampel waterfall, then you can't do without pinching the plants. Seedlings of petunias are pinched after 5 leaves, carefully removing the growth point. after this procedure, the plant will stop growing and begin to give side shoots - the bush will become more magnificent.
If the seedlings of petunias are already planted in the ground, then pinching is carried out as soon as the plant has grown stronger.
If you are late with the pinching and the plants have outgrown, then the broken shoots can be cut off. nine0003
When the lateral shoots reach 5-6 leaves, the pinching procedure should be repeated.
In addition to pinching petunia plants, it is imperative to remove wilted flowers by cutting off the flower with the stem (so that the plant does not set seeds). It turns out that plants do not spend energy on seeds, but tie more and more flowers.
How to collect petunia seeds
Many people ask: how to collect petunia seeds? Firstly, it should be remembered that it is impossible to collect seeds from hybrid varieties (F1). The sown seeds of such plants will not be a repetition of the mother petunia. Simply put, you will grow completely different flowers in color and shape. Secondly, terry varieties of petunias often do not produce seeds at all. nine0003
Varietal Petunias can be obtained and collected seeds. For this, several flowers are left on the plants. Seed pod ripening is slow. First, the box turns yellow, then it cracks slightly. It is necessary to collect such seed boxes at the moment of cracking. Seeds from the box are poured into small bags and the variety is immediately signed.
Is it possible to make petunias overwinter?
It turns out that petunias can overwinter the harsh season. To do this, the petunia plant is brought into a cool (10-15 degrees) well-lit room with the onset of cold weather. Watering is greatly reduced. In April, the plants will begin to intensively produce young shoots that need to be cut. This is how terry and ampelous hybrid varieties of petunias are propagated. nine0003
Growing petunias in pots and hanging baskets
Petunias look very nice in hanging pots or tubs. Caring for such petunias is more difficult. They need a special soil composition, frequent watering and constant fertilization.
The composition of the soil mixture for planters and baskets with petunias includes: 1 part sand, 2 parts peat, 2 parts humus and leafy (turf) soil. In pots, good drainage from gravel, broken brick or expanded clay is required. nine0003
Pruning and pinching of petunias planted in planters and pots is carried out at the right time, without delay. Ampel varieties of petunias are pinched only in early spring, then they are cut only to give the bush a beautiful shape.
Petunia pest and disease control
Petunias have almost no pests, and plants are often affected by diseases and fungal diseases.