Planting, growing and caring for petunia in open ground

There will be no problems when growing and caring for petunia, since the cultivated plant is unpretentious. Among the wide variety, you can choose different varieties that differ in the shape of the bush, structure and color of the petals. In order for a lush bush to grow, which will delight you with numerous blooms, you need to choose the right soil and choose the right time for planting. Seedlings or seeds are planted in an open flower bed.

Rules for growing petunia seedlings from seeds

The flowers that litter the lush petunia bush are bright and emit a wonderful aroma. The plant will definitely decorate any area. Flowers are characterized by a number of advantages:

• tolerate cold well;
• unpretentious;
• easy to grow seedlings yourself;
• varieties for every taste, differing in color and shape;
• pleasant aroma;
• flowering continues all summer.

To grow healthy and strong flower seedlings, you must follow some rules.

How to choose soil and container for planting

For planting, choose containers with transparent lids. Plastic or peat pots are placed in them. Purchased containers are distinguished by the presence of a container inside with a lid and heating.

Petunia should be planted in loose soil with good aeration and medium acidity. In an acidic environment, roots absorb nutrients and moisture better. In the store you can buy universal soil, which is mixed with coarse sand.

If you plan to make the soil mixture yourself, then mix garden soil with fine sand and humus. The finished soil is sifted and poured with boiling water.

The prepared soil is poured into the container and lightly compacted so that the seed does not fall deep. A small depression is made in the center into which the seeds will be placed.

Where to plant petunia

Flower propagation is mainly carried out by seeds.Planting material should be taken in reserve. Under any unfavorable factors, seed germination is reduced, in some varieties even by half:

• Petunia is a heat-loving and light-loving flower. Therefore, for planting, choose an area where sunlight falls without obstacles.
• The plant feels good on any fertile soil, but most of all it loves loamy and sandy soil.
• If the soil is too acidic, liming is carried out.
• Do not overdo it with organic fertilizers, as they provoke fungal diseases.
• Petunia prefers moist soil, but can tolerate short-term drought.

It is advisable to use a separate container for planting seeds so as not to damage the root branches during transplantation.

How to sow seeds correctly

Seeds should be sown three months before transplanting to an open area. If you plan to plant in May, then you should start sowing the seeds in the first half of February.

Petunia seeds are very small, so they are sown at home using two methods. You can simply spread the seeds in the surface layer of the prepared soil, or they are laid out on the surface and sprinkled with a small amount of river sand.

You need to sow in rows, leaving a gap of about 10 mm between seeds. The interval between the rows is 4.6 cm. Immediately after planting, watering is carried out with a spray bottle. The container is covered with glass or film, creating a greenhouse effect.

The first shoots should hatch on the 6th day. After this, the film is removed and the container is moved to the warmest and lightest window sill. It is imperative to provide additional lighting so that the seedlings do not stretch out and become stronger.

Mixture of seeds and sand

The soil for sowing seeds should be light, loose and contain sufficient nutrients. It is recommended to sift the top layer. The day before the intended sowing, the soil is watered.

Petunia seeds are mixed with sand and distributed on moist soil. Then water and cover the container with glass. After 12 days, the first shoots should appear.

Use of snow

To plant petunia seeds, some gardeners use the snow method:

• A layer of snow equal to 13 mm is laid on the prepared and compacted soil.
• The seeds are laid out on a layer of snow.
• As soon as the snow melts, the seeds will settle to the surface of the soil. After this, the container is covered with film and put in a warm and bright place.

Melted snow nourishes the soil, strengthens the immunity of planting material and promotes better germination.

Using a toothpick

Thanks to toothpicks, it will be possible to evenly spread out the planting material, which will further ensure an easy picking process:

• Petunia seeds are poured onto a flat surface.
• For work, take two toothpicks.
• One side of the toothpick is dipped in water and the seed is picked up, and the dry tip of the other toothpick is shaken into the soil.

Growing with peat tablets

It is convenient to sow flower seeds in peat tablets. The sequence of actions is as follows:

• peat containers are pre-soaked in water with the addition of growth stimulants;
• the seeds are laid out using a toothpick and watered (no more than two seeds are placed in each tablet);
• cover the container with a lid.

Growing seedlings in cassettes

An economical and simple way is to plant petunia seedlings in cassettes. Containers with individual cells can be used several times. Seedlings grown in cassettes do not need to be replanted.

For sowing seeds, choose cassettes whose cells are wide and deep. The cells are filled with prepared soil mixture, but if desired, peat tablets can be placed.

Picking seedlings

The first time they dive is when the first two pairs of true leaves unfold on each bush.

You need to plant the bushes in a larger container, leaving an interval of about 5.7 cm between the seedlings, and 6 cm between the rows. Holes must be made at the bottom of the new container.

When the transplanted seedlings become crowded again, they are re-picked into separate containers. Each bush should be deepened into the ground up to the cotyledon leaves.

Pinching petunia seedlings

To form a neat bush, you need to pinch the shoots. The procedure begins when the seedling has 3-4 pairs of leaves. The central shoot is pinched to 4 mm.

Strongly growing bushes and hybrids pinch the top along with the growing point above the 4th or 5th leaf. After two weeks, the procedure is repeated.

Seedling lighting

The first 10 days after emergence of seedlings need to be illuminated around the clock. Additional lighting should be turned on around 7 a.m. and late in the evening, around 10 p.m. Illumination is carried out with special lamps. They are installed above the seedlings at a height of 22 cm. The air temperature at this time should be within +19 degrees.

Watering and fertilizing seedlings

Watering should be moderate. The next day after watering, the soil between the rows is loosened. If you allow the soil to become excessively waterlogged, there is a high risk of fungal infections and rot.

Young petunia seedlings need to be watered using the drip method. For this purpose, use a syringe, tray or spray bottle. When watering, avoid getting water on the green part of the plant.

As soon as the first true leaves appear on the bushes, apply the first fertilizing. Solutions based on Kemira, Kristalon or Teraflex are suitable. Among mineral fertilizers, “Nitroammofoska” is popular.

15 days after picking, the seedlings are sprayed with solutions based on Mortar, Kemira, and Aquarin.

Sowing seeds in open ground

Seeds should be sown in rows, maintaining an interval of 12 mm. Sprinkle the top with a small layer of loose soil, or preferably river sand.

Preparation

Before sowing the seeds, they need to be prepared. Petunia seeds are sold in two types:

1. It is easiest to sow granulated grains. The protective shell, which protects against infections and pests, quickly dissolves when exposed to moisture.
2. Seeds without a shell require an additional disinfection procedure and soaking in growth stimulants.

A few words about sowing dates

Only some varieties of petunias tolerate cold, so it is better to plant flower seeds in open areas around the 20th of May. Flowering begins in July and continues until early October.

How to care for a flower

Caring for ornamental crops is standard and involves timely watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil and forming a bush. Each season has different care needs.

in spring

Spring care for petunia involves preparing the plant for propagation by cuttings. Feeding is carried out once every 15 days.

In summer

Watering in the summer months is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. On dry days, water once a day, in the evening. Water is poured right to the roots.

After watering, it is advisable to loosen the soil.The procedure helps control weeds and prevents crust formation. As a result, air and nutrients penetrate to the roots without obstacles.

in autumn

In early September, petunia along with its roots are dug out of the ground and planted in separate flower pots. The diameter of the container must be at least 16 cm. The wilted parts of the plant are removed. It is also recommended to trim all shoots to 13 cm.

Pots with transplanted plants are placed in a cool place. In the remaining autumn days, the flower takes root and tolerates the winter well.

in winter

Care on winter days consists of maintaining optimal indoor air temperature. It should be at +11 degrees. If the room is warmer, they provide additional lighting.

Watering is carried out as the soil dries. Don't let the leaves droop. Over the entire winter period, it is enough to carry out two feedings containing potassium and phosphorus. It would not be a bad idea to carry out treatment against insect pests.

Features of wintering petunia

There are two ways to preserve petunias in winter. In both cases, appropriate conditions must be maintained.

Preservation of mother bushes

The plant, dug up together with a lump of earth, is transplanted into separate pots. Flowers should be stored at an air temperature of no lower than +5 degrees and no higher than +11 degrees.

The petunia bush is pruned, leaving the shoots 13 cm long. There is no need to water too often. Twice a month is enough. Already in mid-February, petunia emerges from dormancy and begins to prepare for flowering. You can plant it in a flowerbed when the threat of frost is over.

Storing petunia cuttings

The storage method in the form of cuttings is suitable for those summer residents who cannot provide the plant with the appropriate air temperature and humidity indoors in winter. In this case, the petunia is dug up already in September and divided into separate cuttings 8 cm long. The separated cuttings are planted in cups, which are put away in a cool room.

Pruning and feeding petunia

Pruning is carried out at the end of August. To ensure that the plant has enough strength to form seeds, dried flowers and branches are removed, and overgrown shoots are also trimmed.

Fertilizing is carried out at the stage of appearance of the first shoots, then after another two weeks the fertilizing is repeated. The flowers should be fed the third time during the formation of buds. Until the end of August, potassium fertilizers are applied at intervals of 10 days.

Watering rules

Petunia is drought-resistant, but in dry weather you need to provide the plant with enough moisture. Warm, settled water should be poured at the root, avoiding moisture getting on the green part of the plant.

Petunia propagation by cuttings

Petunia hybrids can only be propagated by cuttings. To propagate a flower by cuttings, you need to know some rules:

• in the last days of March or the first days of April, cut off the tops of young shoots so that 4 or 5 internodes remain;
• the length of the cut branches should be 5.7 cm;
• remove the bottom row of leaves and deepen it 2.5 cm into a container with soil;
• cuttings are disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• After 13 days, the seedlings will take root and can be planted in different containers.

How to grow petunia into a beautiful bush

To grow an attractive petunia bush, you should follow a number of recommendations:

• choose the right variety and seeds;
• plant prepared seeds in suitable soil in time;
• choose a suitable planting method;
• seedlings should be pinched in time;
• apply the required amount of fertilizer.

Attentive and caring care plays an important role in the development of the plant. Flowers need to be watered, loosened and treated against insect pests and diseases on time.