One of the economical ways to fill your garden with Wave Petunias is to grow your own plants from seed.The Petunia is still one of the most popular of all flowering plants. In window boxes, hanging baskets or overhanging a terrace wall, their riot of colour is enchanting. Petunias like the sun and often bloom within 2 months from seed and continue until frost.Petunias flower early and are covered with stunning blooms. They continue throughout the season until killed by the frost.They are easily cultivated, requiring rich soil and sun. For denser plants and more flowers, pinch or shear when 6 inches tall and keep faded flowers picked.
SPECIFICATION OF PETUNIA
Season: Annual
Sowing: Before Winter
Height: 25 – 30 cm
Blooms Time: All the Winter
Environment: Full sun
Water: Medium
Sow in pots, in electric propagator When seedlings are large enough transplant them to the separated pots. Transplant on the permanent place in the second half of May on approx. 20-30 x 40 cm apart. Easily grown in all type of soils. Germinate within 10 – 12 days in 24 - 25 ̊C.
SOWING: Sow indoors from February, 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost.
Petunias flower early and are covered with stunning blooms. They like the sun and often bloom within two months from seed and continue throughout the season until killed by the frost. They are easily cultivated, requiring rich soil and full sun. They grow best in high-moisture areas with well-drained soils but can adapt to most soil types. Established plants are drought resistant, requiring less dry-weather maintenance than other plants.
Plant seeds 6mm (¼in) inch apart, in rows 7cm (3in) apart and gently firm (especially the corners), so you don't get erosion when watering. Do not cover the seed, as the seeds need light to germinate.
Provide light and constant warmth of 21 to 27°C (70 to 80°F). Use a bottom heat source for best results. F2 hybrids tend to germinate better at the higher end, at around 27C (80F). The soil temp should not fluctuate and must not drop below 21°C (70°F). Finely mist and cover seed tray with plastic or paper to conserve moisture.
Check the compost for dryness regularly. If this is the case, add a little warm clean water from below, being careful not to over water. Too much water can kill seedlings, as it can spread "damping off fungi", and encourage other moulds and diseases.
Petunias flower early and are covered with stunning blooms. They like the sun and often bloom within two months from seed and continue throughout the season until killed by the frost. They are easily cultivated, requiring rich soil and full sun. They grow best in high-moisture areas with well-drained soils but can adapt to most soil types. Established plants are drought resistant, requiring less dry-weather maintenance than other plants.
Plant seeds 6mm (¼in) inch apart, in rows 7cm (3in) apart and gently firm (especially the corners), so you don't get erosion when watering. Do not cover the seed, as the seeds need light to germinate.
Provide light and constant warmth of 21 to 27°C (70 to 80°F). Use a bottom heat source for best results. F2 hybrids tend to germinate better at the higher end, at around 27C (80F). The soil temp should not fluctuate and must not drop below 21°C (70°F). Finely mist and cover seed tray with plastic or paper to conserve moisture.
Check the compost for dryness regularly. If this is the case, add a little warm clean water from below, being careful not to over water. Too much water can kill seedlings, as it can spread "damping off fungi", and encourage other moulds and diseases.
GERMINATION
Germination usually takes 10 to 21 days depending on soil and temperature conditions. Remove cover as soon as seeds sprout. Keep moist and do not use cold water as it lowers the soil temp and weakens tender seedlings.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions, around 13 to 16°C (55 to 60°F) for stocky plants.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart in a sunny spot on the light well-drained soil. For pot plants, transplant the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and give plenty of light, but shade from direct sun.
Germination usually takes 10 to 21 days depending on soil and temperature conditions. Remove cover as soon as seeds sprout. Keep moist and do not use cold water as it lowers the soil temp and weakens tender seedlings.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions, around 13 to 16°C (55 to 60°F) for stocky plants.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart in a sunny spot on the light well-drained soil. For pot plants, transplant the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and give plenty of light, but shade from direct sun.
CULTIVATION
When plants are 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) tall, and the ground is warm, transplant to their final positions in pots or into the garden, spacing 20 to 30cm (8 to12in) apart. Plant in a full sun location. They will tolerate light shade but blooming will be reduced. Use a low-nitrogen/high-phosphorus fertilizer sparingly. Do not over water or over fertilize, Overwatering will yellow and kill the plants.
When plants are 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) tall, and the ground is warm, transplant to their final positions in pots or into the garden, spacing 20 to 30cm (8 to12in) apart. Plant in a full sun location. They will tolerate light shade but blooming will be reduced. Use a low-nitrogen/high-phosphorus fertilizer sparingly. Do not over water or over fertilize, Overwatering will yellow and kill the plants.
After planting into baskets, when established give them a good spray from a watering can. The weight of the water flow will produce a perfect cascading habit.
For denser plants and more flowers, pinch or shear when 15cm (6in) tall and keep faded flowers picked.
Petunias are sticky and will attract greenfly so keep an eye on them. Don't over water in the winter and keep them well ventilated.
For denser plants and more flowers, pinch or shear when 15cm (6in) tall and keep faded flowers picked.
Petunias are sticky and will attract greenfly so keep an eye on them. Don't over water in the winter and keep them well ventilated.
OVERWINTERING
Petunias are generally sold and grown as half hardy annuals (they will tolerate slight frost and flower in the first year from seed) but in their native countries of Brazil and Argentina, they are perennial.
Petunias are generally sold and grown as half hardy annuals (they will tolerate slight frost and flower in the first year from seed) but in their native countries of Brazil and Argentina, they are perennial.
The plants can be overwintered by lifting in the autumn, trimmed back to about 15cm (6in), then potted up into a well-drained potting compost. The plants can then be placed on a cool 13°C (55°F) well-lit windowsill and planted out in the early summer.
PLANT USES
Window boxes, containers, tubs, hanging baskets and pot plants.
Window boxes, containers, tubs, hanging baskets and pot plants.
ORIGIN:
The species was first sent from South America to Paris in 1823. It was discovered in South America by the explorer James Twee-die, (after whom the genus Tweedie is named), who sent specimens to the Glasgow Botanical Garden in 1831. Most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (Petunia x hybrid), they were among the first ornamental to be bred for the bedding plant market in the 1950s.
IMPORTANT WATERING USE: Use watering can for watering. By moving the water stream constantly waves the can. Do not let the water to flood in particular area. Or use the sprayer to spray the water like mist.
The species was first sent from South America to Paris in 1823. It was discovered in South America by the explorer James Twee-die, (after whom the genus Tweedie is named), who sent specimens to the Glasgow Botanical Garden in 1831. Most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (Petunia x hybrid), they were among the first ornamental to be bred for the bedding plant market in the 1950s.
IMPORTANT WATERING USE: Use watering can for watering. By moving the water stream constantly waves the can. Do not let the water to flood in particular area. Or use the sprayer to spray the water like mist.
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