Here’re some petunia care tips you need to follow to grow the best petunias in containers! Proper light, water, and fertilization when caring for petunias will ensure a long season of beautiful blooms. Petunia seeds are tiny and fine but they need light to germinate; don’t cover the seed with soil but rather sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and pat lightly, for good contact. Even a dry weather or wet-cold weather does not keep away thes… Keep the soil moist by watering regularly during prolonged dry periods in summer. New petunia varieties come out every year, making older varieties obsolete, but here are some particular favorites. Extreme heat can cause petunia plants to stop setting flowers until the temperature drops. Petunia container care is very easy. The Supertunia® series of petunias, part of the Proven Winners® plant line, are extremely vigorous bloomers that have the advantage of being self-cleaning, so no deadheading is needed. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. The plant soil in the containers is very hot and starts drying, the plant needs water to dry the spell, However, these are especially hot and drought harsh. Petunia is genus of 20 species of flowering plants of South American origin. Soak in sun. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener. Best of all, petunias are amazingly easy to grow, both in the garden and in containers. In this article, I will guide you to take care of your petunias to get heavy bloom and better results. Growing petunias is easy and rewarding. The plants may require more frequent waterings in drought conditions, of course. Although some species of petunias are tropical perennials, today’s hybrids are usually grown as annuals, so hardiness zones are not a factor in growing them. It’s not necessary to deadhead ground-planted petunias, but you’ll certainly want to cut off faded blooms from container plants. The Petunia flower has a wide height range, as it grows from 6 inches up to 4 feet, depending on the species. Water your petunias frequently, but don't over water them. When purchasing young petunias, choose plants with a compact form and unopened buds. The popular flower of the same name derived its epithet from the French, which took the word petun, meaning "tobacco," from a Tupi–Guarani language.An annual, most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (Petunia × atkinsiana, also known as Petunia × hybrida 3. Make beautiful pots, containers, and hanging baskets with these Petunias. When the branches start to get long and you can see where all the previous flowers were along the stem, it’s time to cut them back and refresh the plant. But don’t overwater, as too much water will cause the plants to become leggy with few flowers. Th… It might be worth the challenge to grow petunias from seed, especially if you're trying for a particular variety. The Petunia flower has hairy leaves. You can find petunias in just about every color but true blue and with growing habits that mound in borders or trail down containers. Petunias allowed to go to seed will slow or stop blooming. Knowing how to grow petunias can give your garden bright, continuously blooming flowers from spring to frost. Once the seed has germinated, move them from the warm area and let them grow on in cooler temperatures. Petunias are usually carefree growers although they can get pummeled by rain. The flowers of the Mexican petunia bloom from the middle of summer through to fall. Some Petunia flower species are edible and have a sweet or spicy taste. The problem with petunias is that their oh-to-eager-to-grow plant parents aren’t always clued in on the petunia care needs for these to flower best. Feed the petunias once a month with water-soluble fertilizer designed for flowering plants. Growth habits range from slightly mounded to trailing, depending on the variety. As with all things garden plants and flowers, you need to know how to take care of Petunias. They really are that versatile and are one of the most important of all summer bedding plants. Start the seeds on heating pads or on top of your refrigerator. As they are heavy feeders, petunias care will also include weekly feedings. Petunias require a light, fertile soil that provides good drainage. Just remember that starting from seed takes longer so begin at least ten to 12 weeks before your outside planting date. Too much water will cause the plants to become "leggy", with lots of stem and few flowers. To bloom abundantly, petunias require a good soak in the sun for at least 6 hours. Few other annuals produce so many of such large flowers. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Double-flowered cultivars may require additional feedings. 1. When planting, pinch the seedling back to encourage more branching and a fuller plant. Spreading petunias may need weekly fertilization, while container-grown plants will respond well to a time-release fertilizer. Petunias repeat bloom throughout the summer. Petunias are among the most popular flowering annuals for good reason. They typically measure around 2 inches in diameter and have a delicate lilac-blue color. Gardening Illustrated – August 29, 1885 How To Care For Petunias. Petunias also prefer warmer temperatures for germination. If your plant… Most petunia varieties prefer full sun, but in the heat of summer, partial shade will keep them refreshed and blooming better. Fertilize petunias once every three weeks. Heat- and drought-tolerant, petunias are tough plants that thrive with minimal care. Or, combine with the other flowering plants or petunias to create head-turning flower pots, beds, and patios. For the best performance, plant petunias in full sun (at least six hours a day). Proper petunia care involves removing spent blooms and the seeds they may produce. The single forms of Petunia now come so good from seed that growers depend altogether on seed sown early in spring for their stock of plants to flower the following summer. Sign up for our newsletter. Even the newer varieties that say they don’t require deadheading will benefit from a pinching or shearing mid-season. They love warmth and sunlight. Growing Petunias: A Complete Guide on How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Petunias An ideal plant for the beginner gardener, the petunia is gorgeous and very easy to grow. Do not collect the crowd in the container. Four species of petunias include hundreds of cultivars and offer a perfect addition to the home landscape: Care of petunias includes regular watering and as much sunlight as possible to promote multiple blooms. 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