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Petunias are one of the most popular varieties of garden flowers. With their bright colors and easy spreading colonies, they are the perfect way to fill out your garden or plot.
New types of petunias and hybrids introduced since the 1990s are hardier than older varieties, meaning you should be able to grow this formerly troublesome plant in virtually any zone.
Following these simple tips will ensure that your cultivation is a great success:
Petunia Planting Times and Locations
Petunias, like other flowering plants, perform and grow better under specific conditions. One of the best ways to help your petunias thrive is to make sure they have a new home they will enjoy. This means you’ll need to maintain some of the following tips:
-Planting petunias early enough in the spring season for them to build strong root systems is one of the best ways to increase heat tolerance. A hot summer can wilt even the largest blossoms quite easily. Strong established roots will ensure that their water supplies are secure.
-Petunias love the sun, and require at least 6-7 hours of direct sunlight. Furthermore, petunias do not need to be deep-planted.
The depth they were at when you received them in their original packs or pots is usually sufficient. Space spreading petunias to at least 1 to 2 feet of separation in garden beds will guarantee they will have enough growing room.
-Garden beds should be rotated regularly so your plants are not leached of nutrients by the heavy feeding petunias. Window boxes, baskets, and other containers are all good temporary flower homes when giving your gardens a break.
Petunia Watering and Feeding
Petunias consume lots of food and water in their efforts to grow quickly. This is one of the most commonly neglected aspects of growing. If you want beautiful petunias, you’ll need to tend to them on a regularly consistent basis with these simple tips:
-Petunias need large volumes of water, but they also love well-drained soil. To prevent them from drying out, it is best to water them in the morning. This way, the foliage and soil can dry out before the dark of evening puts a halt to evaporation.
Many gardeners also recommend letting the soil completely dehydrate before you water again. This technique encourages more profuse blossoming, and also helps guard against pathogen build-up.
-Since petunias love eating, they require regular fertilization. Check your variety for specific fertilization methods and schedules. As a general rule, petunias like to be fertilized every couple of weeks. Most horticultural sources recommend the use of a liquid fertilizer or the combination of liquid and slow release fertilizers.
Depending on the type of soil your petunias are growing in, and its drainage characteristics, you may need to modify your fertilization methods to prevent burned plants if you do not use a liquid or water-soluble plant food. Happy gardening!
Want to learn more about growing Petunia flowers?
The University of Minnesota Extension covers Growing petunias.
A great source of information over Petunias can be found here.
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