Search

Petunias: How to Grow and Care

Table of Contents

Petunias (Petunia spp.) Plants in flower beds and pots are one of the most popular garden flowers. Mass bloomers- they come in almost all colors except blue. The wide, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom from branching hairs and are somewhat sticky to the touch. The petunias include a great variety within their genus. With some available as hybrids, you can find the flowers in single or double blooms; ruffled or smooth petals; striped, veined, or solid colors-some are even fragrant; and in mounding or cascading growth habits.

Petunias are rapid growers that will mature by late spring. Whether it is the right time to plant petunias depends on when the last spring frost is expected in your area. No frost affecting the plants. With enough sun, water, and fertilizer, you can keep petunias blooming all summer long by deadheading spent blooms and pruning scraggly growth. Cold climates: As petunias are annuals in nature, you may only have them around for one growing season. Petunias will return every year within their warmer growing zones but still have a lifespan of only about three years. No worries, but they will self-seed for future growth.

Types of Petunias

Groups of Petunias:FloatersPetunia September Charm – blends nicely with dark colors.

  1. Multiflora Petunia: If they were the Boy Scouts of petunias, would they list “Be strong and sturdy” as a merit badge on their sashes?Consumer -Contributed They form more numerous but smaller flowers and are best for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because rather they enjoy wet weather).
  2. Grandiflora petunias: With flowers that are very large, grandiflora petunias grow best in containers or hanging baskets, as rain can be more likely to ruin them. As the summer progresses through June and July, many outgrow their zeal for having these large petunias in the garden because as the heatwave rolls on they continue to struggle with this lovely plant #because rot tends to occur because of humidity-filled summer days.
  3. Floribundas: Floribundas are somewhere between the grandiflora and multiflora class. They bloom freely like the multifloras, their flowers are larger;
  4. Millifloras: Milliflora petunias are the tiniest of all petunias. The flowers are either 1 to 1½ inches or wide, but they bloom profusely and colorfully all season long.
  5. Spreading or Trailing Petunias: low-growing and can spread 3 to 4 feet. Since the flowers are distributed throughout the length of each stem, they create a gorgeous colorful carpet. Plant in window boxes, hanging baskets.

Petunias Care

Sun and Shade Loving Petunias If it reaches high summer temperatures with intense sun, the plants may stop blooming temporarily. Plants need to be well-watered and fed at regular intervals, especially during the growing season (spring-fall). Some shade from the weather might be something they love, like getting petunias in pots into a safe place or putting covers over flowering beds on petunias.

Light

Petunias grow best in full sun, or 6 hours of direct sunlight on most days. They need full sun to bloom, but in the heat of summer partial shade (particularly from the harsh afternoon sun) can help relax them and encourage more blossoms.

Planting and Soil

Petunias do best in a light, well-draining soil. They are good with many types of soil as long as they are well-draining. Oh, and they prefer an acidic soil pH. Selectively sow petunias outside in the ground after frost threatened regions to reach up, with soil to be warm and workable. Keep them at least a foot apart.

Watering Petunias

Petunias are annuals that flower profusely but do not dry for extended periods, unlike many other flowering species. However, they do not like to sit in waterlogged soil, as this can lead to root rot. In addition, too much water may produce leggy plants which may flower less. By and large, an inch or 2 of water applied to beds per week in the absence of rain is adequate. At the same time, some spreading species of petunias and petunias in pots often require more frequent and deep watering. Do not allow the soil to dry more than 2 inches deep.

Temperature and Humidity

Petunias prefer cool temperatures – around 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees during the day and 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees at nightemption They will tolerate temperatures down to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost and freezing temperatures will damage or kill plants. Experience required: Beginner to moderate Humidity: Low – high Best grown indoors

Fertilizing Petunias

General petunia care-They have to be feed at the time of planting with a good balanced fertilizer. Also, you could work some compost into the soil. Next, feed each two to three weeks during the growing season (from July through late autumn when the plants wane) with a liquid fertilizer designed for blossoming plants. Petunia fertilizers these kinds are the spreading types need to be fed at least 1x every week Remember, so heed the instructions for care for individual plants.

Pruning Petunias

At planting, pinch back the stems of young petunias to encourage branching and a fuller plant. How far pinching goes back will depend on the plant. If it is a short, stocky seedling, only pinch an inch or less. However, if your seedling is leggy, you can pinch the stem halfway back.

Propagation

DFTT by the wayUse cuttings for propagation of petunias All are hybrids, so the seeds won’t breed true. Take out a health stem by cutting,removing the lower leaves Insert the tip that has been cut into humid potting soil. For best results, dip it in a rooting hormone first. Place the rooted cuttings indoors in a cool, dark spot where they will stay moist.

PESTS/DISEASES

ProblemsPetunias have few serious insect or disease pests, but aphids and slugs can be a problem. Water only between the rows (not on top of the foliage and flowers), this will help avoid disease and mildew

Pest/Disease

Type

Symptoms

Control/Prevention

Aphids

Insect

Misshapen/yellow leaves; distorted flowers; leaf drop; sticky “honeydew” (excretion) on leaves; sooty, black mold

Knock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap; inspect new plants carefully; use slow-release fertilizers; avoid excess nitrogen; encourage aphid predators such as lacewings, lady beetles/bugs, spiders

Slugs/snails

Mollusk

Irregular holes in leaves/flowers; slimy secretion on plants/soil; seedlings “disappear”

Handpick; avoid thick bark mulch; use copper plant collars; avoid overhead watering; lay boards on soil in evening, in morning lift and dispose of pests in hot, soapy water; drown in deep container of 1/2 inch of beer or of sugar water and yeast sunk to ground level; apply 1-inch-wide strip of diatomaceous earth around plants

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are Petunias Perennials?

Petunias are classified as very tender perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Do Deer Eat Petunias?

Yes, deer do eat petunias. They will always leave a bit of a plant, so it comes back.

How long do petunias last?

Petunias are typically annuals and will only last one season in most climates. Petunias are typically frost tender but will survive two to three years and reseed themselves in our warm climate.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want to keep up with our blog?

Get our most valuable tips right inside your inbox, once per month!

Related Posts

FRUITS & VEGETABLES, GARDENING, Uncategorized
Scroll to Top