Timing of sowing petunia seeds. When and how to plant a petunia for seedlings: terms and rules of planting, photo. Transplanting grown petunia seedlings into separate containers

Beautiful, lush, long-flowering petunias are the dream of any grower. These plants are able to decorate with an abundance of bright colors both a flower bed in the garden and a flower box on a balcony or terrace. In order to achieve such an impressive result, you need to know when to sow a petunia and how to do it correctly. It is about the timing, methods and features of sowing this delightful flower that will be discussed in the following material.

In fact, this is not at all a tricky business - growing petunias from seeds: when to sow, how to choose seeds and how to care for sprouts - it's easy to remember. And with the steadfast observance of all recommendations, these plants will certainly delight with beautiful and lush flowering.

In order to decide when to sow petunia seeds for seedlings, the desired flowering time should be taken into account. Plants will flower in May if sown in late February. You can sow petunias in March in the ground, but then the beginning of flowering will fall around mid-June and last until the very cold weather.

Early sowing guarantees early flowering, but requires the creation of additional conditions for the growth of seedlings. If you sow petunia in winter, then you should make sure that she has enough light. The seeds of this plant are light-like, ordinary lighting from a window will be enough for their growth. Sprouts, on the other hand, should be provided with a longer daylight hours, so you can sow petunia before winter by stocking up on additional lighting fixtures.

If we sow petunia in January, then the seedlings will definitely need additional lighting, otherwise it will grow thin and elongated. Artificial extension of daylight hours allows you to get large, symmetrical, hardy shoots.

To find out in February, you can use the Lunar Seed Calendar. It allows you to plan earthworks in such a way as to make the most of the favorable influence of the moon at different stages of plant growth.

It is also necessary to determine in which month to sow petunias based on the characteristics of the selected variety.

Sowing dates for ampelous varieties

For growing in hanging baskets, planters, balcony boxes, ampelous varieties are used. Gorgeous, vibrant cascades of hanging branches are also great for decorating retaining walls. All novice flower growers are interested in when it is best to sow an ampelous petunia. Considering that this variety is usually planted in permanent containers in May, then seedlings should be sown very early - in the last days of January - early February. Seedlings of ampelous petunia need about two weeks more time for vegetation than other types of it.

Cascading petunias for planting

Cascading petunias are a cross between the usual bush and ampelous species of this plant. In fact, cascading is a group that is part of the ampelous varieties, but they differ from the latter in shorter and more massive stems and larger flowers.

When asked when to sow a cascading petunia, the answer is very simple. It all depends on when you need ready-made flowers. It should be remembered that for the full development of a young plant, at least three months must pass from the moment of sowing to landing in a permanent place. It is optimal to sow seeds in mid-February, but you can do this in April. Then the plant will be maximally formed by the middle of summer and will delight with its flowering until late autumn.

Terry varieties of petunias

Terry petunias are distinguished by short stature and compactness of the bush, lush and voluminous flowers with corrugated petals. For the most part, they are propagated by cuttings, since terry varieties often do not produce seeds due to the poor development of the generative organs. However, it is still possible to grow these magnificent flowers from seeds.

It is recommended to purchase seeds for sowing in special flower shops, where you can also find out when it is best to sow terry petunias. This is usually done in February-early March in specially prepared light soil from a mixture of ordinary earth, humus and sand.

Pot for growing petunia seedlings

If everything is clear about when to sow petunia seeds, then you should further understand the technology of growing seedlings of this flower. Getting sprouts is possible both by using well-known methods of growing in ordinary pots, seedling cassettes, peat tablets, and in very unusual ways, for example, in glass jars.

Sowing in seedling boxes

In order to get petunia seedlings, you can use the most common way - to sow the seeds in special seedling boxes or other containers suitable for this. You should think about what kind of soil to sow petunia in the fall. It is better to prepare in advance light, fine-grained, slightly acidic soil, consisting of one part of soddy soil, humus, sand and two parts of peat. To the mixture, add half a liter of sifted wood ash, a spoonful of potash fertilizer and a little perlite.

All containers for seedlings and prepared soil should be disinfected. This can be done with a solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water. By the way, there is a special technology for sowing seeds in soil spilled only with boiled water. It is called so - sowing in boiling water. This method is not known to everyone, but as the gardeners who have tested it say, it increases the percentage of germination at times.

If we sow petunia in boiling water, then do not forget that this should be done quickly. Pour boiling water into a container filled with soil, and then lay the seeds in the still hot earth, slightly pressing them with the palm of your hand or a spoon. After that, the container should be covered with a film, wrapped in a cloth, newspaper or towel and placed in a warm place (on a battery, for example). After an hour, the wrapper can be removed, and the box with the future seedlings moved to a warm, well-lit corner.

According to biologists, sowing in boiling water is favorable because essential oils are washed off from the seeds during the process, and this accelerates their growth. Sometimes flower gurus recommend that you first lay out the seeds, and only then spill them with boiling water. The result of applying this method will also be good.

Growing seedlings in peat tablets

in peat tablets gives an excellent result - the seedlings are strong and healthy. In addition, this method is considered very convenient and economical, and the content of all the necessary nutrients in tablets contributes to good seed germination and allows you to get lush, profusely flowering plants.

So, how to sow petunia in peat tablets correctly? There is nothing complicated in this, you just need to stock up on tablets of the right size. As a rule, 3.5-4.5 cm in diameter will be enough for petunias. They need to be filled with water, wait a few minutes until they swell, and place the seeds in the recesses on top. It is recommended to place one seed in one tablet. A single sowing makes it possible to avoid picking seedlings and injuring its root system.

Another positive aspect of this method is the ability to determine by the color of the tablet whether the sprouts need watering. The lighter the tablet, the less moisture it contains.

In the question of how to sow petunia in tablets, you should remember only one important nuance - the seeds cannot be deeply buried in the ground, otherwise they will not sprout. After completion of the procedure, the seed should create conditions suitable for germination. To do this, the tablets are placed in a mini-greenhouse, consisting of a pallet and a lid (glass, polyethylene), and placed on the windowsill.

Growing petunia seedlings in bottles on toilet paper

One of the new devices for growing seedlings invented by craftsman flower growers is a greenhouse made of a plastic bottle with toilet paper on top of the soil.
For this method, you will need a large plastic bottle (preferably 2 liters), toilet paper, a knife or scissors, seeds, soil, water and a spray bottle.

Having prepared everything you need, we sow the petunia on toilet paper using one of the possible methods:

• direct sowing;
• on paper rolled into a roll (into a snail).

If we sow petunia on paper, then the technology will be as follows:

If we sow a petunia in a snail, then we add plastic wrap to the list of necessary materials. It must be cut into strips, sent on top with a layer of toilet paper and lightly sprinkled with water. Next, you should decide where the top of the snail will be, and spread the seeds in two rows at a distance of one and a half centimeters from the top edge of the tape. From above, we cover the seeds with a second layer of paper and film and roll them into rolls.

Pour water into a bottle cut in half by about 3-4 cm and insert the formed “snails” into it. It is necessary to ensure that its lower edge is constantly in the water, which will have to be changed every 3-4 days. Seeds germinate in 2 weeks. A little later, when they have the first 2 leaves, the roll can be unfolded and the seedlings are planted in different containers.

Growing seedlings in glass jars

There is also a way to grow seedlings in glass jars. This method has many advantages: the sprouts practically do not stretch, have a good dark green color, and are not susceptible to black leg disease. The soil retains moisture well, so it does not even need to be watered.

If we sow a petunia in a jar, then first we pour vermiculite on the bottom, which acts as a drainage, we water it and cover it with a layer of soil. We sow the seeds superficially, cover the jar with polyethylene and tie it with an elastic band or thread. The first seeds hatch after 4 days of sowing. When the first sprouts appear, the polyethylene can be removed and the jar covered with a covering material (light cloth).

The described method is very simple, so it can be safely recommended to those who are interested in how to sow petunias at home with minimal financial and labor costs.

The nuances of sowing different types of seeds

Often inexperienced flower growers wonder how to sow petunia evenly into the ground, because its seeds are very small. You can simplify the task if you mix them with sand in a ratio of 1:5. Before sowing, the soil should be well moistened. The sown material must be watered with a solution of pervikur. In order not to wash the seeds deep into the ground, it is better to do this through a strainer or use a fine spray gun.

The method of sowing seeds in the snow is also popular. In this way, you can "kill two birds with one stone" - to facilitate the process and moisten the soil.

So, how to sow petunias in the snow correctly? In order to test this simple method, you will need a container filled with soil, seeds, snow, glass or film. A pre-prepared container with sterilized soil must be covered with a layer of snow, up to 1.5 cm thick. The snow should be compacted and smoothed so that the surface becomes even. It is better to sprinkle petunia seeds on a piece of paper first, and then shake them off on the snow in small portions. If places with densely arranged seeds have formed, they can be evenly distributed with a stick or toothpick.
Next, the pot must be covered with glass or polyethylene and placed in a bright, warm place. The first shoots may appear within a week.

On sale you can find special pelleted (granulated) seeds. It is easier to sow them than usual, so the question of how to sow petunia in granules arises much less frequently. The advantage of these seeds is that the shell protects them from disease and damage. However, the price of such seed is higher.

Good, strong seedlings are the key to abundant and long-term flowering of the plant. Therefore, every lover of this beautiful flower should know how to sow and care for petunias.

Petunia is, without exaggeration, the most popular annual. It can be seen not only in flower beds and flower beds, but also in pots on balconies and terraces. She found universal love for abundant and long flowering. Although in the spring all flower shops are traditionally "drowned" in seedlings of all shapes and colors, many flower growers want to grow a wonderful plant on their own. Planting petunias for seedlings is a troublesome task; but if you know and strictly follow all the rules of agricultural technology, you can get flowers grown with your own hands.

According to agricultural technology, petunia blooms 12 weeks after planting. This figure can often be found on seed packages, but it is not entirely true. The intensity of the development of seedlings, especially in the early stages, depends on the environmental conditions - light, humidity, temperature. After three months, petunias begin to bloom only if they are not pinched and kept in a greenhouse. And we mean a full-fledged greenhouse with climate control; the bags with which we cover the seedlings do not imitate such conditions. The actual timing of sowing at home is significantly different.

It is recommended to start sowing petunia seeds in February-March, when the day lengthens enough to provide demanding shoots with natural light. They get sick less and grow faster, but bloom only by July. Sown in December, petunias have time to bloom by the end of May - the beginning of June. If you want to enjoy flowering in early May, the seeds should be in the ground in November. Early plantings require more care. They cannot be grown without additional illumination, and due to the lack of natural light, they are more susceptible to fungal diseases. Determining the right time for planting means choosing the golden mean between frail, massively dying seedlings and petunias that bloom only by mid-summer.

Professional flower growers, when working with seeds, do not forget about favorable days for planting petunias according to the lunar calendar. This information is easy to find on the net or specialized printed publications. If you do not have such an opportunity, avoid working with plants 12 hours before and 12 hours after the new moon and full moon.

The choice of soil for sowing

Petunia, like all nightshades, prefers slightly acidic soil. It should be loose, nutritious and moisture-intensive; contain 2 parts of leafy earth and 2 parts of acidic high-moor peat. For every 3 liters of the mixture, wood ash (1 tablespoon), perlite and sand (0.5 liters each) are added.

When choosing universal ready-made soils, please note that most of them consist mainly of peat, which is reluctant to conduct moisture, which can lead to stagnation. To avoid this, agroperlite is added to them.

Purchased or self-made, the soil for petunias must necessarily include coarse-grained river sand, which helps to evenly distribute moisture, preventing it from stagnation. There is no point in adding dry fertilizers or fungicides to it.

Selection of petunia seeds and their preparation for sowing

When choosing petunia seeds for seedlings, pay attention to:

1. Shelf life - germination directly depends on them.
2. Bush shape. Ampel varieties look better in a flower pot, and bush varieties look better in open ground. In balcony drawers they can be combined.
3. Release form. It is easier to work with seeds in granules, but their germination is lower.

Choose specific varieties. In the mixture, no matter how attractive the picture on the package is, the seeds of the simplest and least attractive varieties, or even “wild” ones, get there. Buy seeds “with a margin”, on the basis that a third will sprout, of which only every second seedling will survive until flowering. Petunia seeds do not need stratification. Some sources advise soaking them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The point in this procedure is only in the early stages of planting petunias for seedlings. It is not so easy to implement it - small seeds "caking" when wetted and dry out for a long time.

Sowing petunias for seedlings in a container

Sow petunia seeds as follows:

1. Drainage holes are made in low wide containers.
2. Lay a layer of expanded clay and soil, lightly tamping.
3. Water abundantly, pour a thin layer of sand on top. Once again shed and rammed.
4. Spread the seeds on the surface without sprinkling. Dragee are slightly pressed.

It is desirable to sow petunia rarely, so that the seedlings do not interfere with each other's growth. It is difficult to do this with small and dark seeds, barely visible on the ground. Therefore, among flower growers, the method of planting petunias under the snow is popular. Ready-made containers with earth are filled with snow. On a white background, the seeds are easier to distribute with a toothpick; when the snow melts, they "lay" on the ground.

The seeds are clearly visible against the background of sand. But we lay it on top of the ground, not only for "contrasting". Petunia seedlings are susceptible to a common nightshade fungal disease, black leg. It is transmitted through infectious drops: the remains of moisture lingering on the surface of the soil or the stem of the seedling. Sand prevents infectious droplets from forming by drawing in all the moisture.

After sowing, the containers are placed in greenhouses or covered with foil. Ventilate daily, if necessary, moisten from a spray bottle. At a temperature of 20-25 degrees, petunia seeds germinate in about a week.

Sowing and growing seedlings in tablets

You can grow petunias in peat tablets. Granular seeds are best suited for this, but ordinary seeds can also be distributed with a needle.

The benefits of planting in peat tablets are obvious:

1. No need to cook and sprinkle soil on containers.
2. The tablets are impregnated with fungicides and growth stimulants, so the seedlings develop faster and get sick less.
3. After complete wetting, compressed peat retains moisture well.
4. When the seedlings need watering, the tablets lighten - this makes it easier to care for the seedlings.
5. In tablets, seedlings are planted only once, and in some cases you can do without picking at all.

Among the disadvantages is the high cost. In addition, the seedlings take up more space. It is convenient to plant seeds in peat tablets with a small amount of them.

For petunias, tablets with a diameter of 3.5 cm are chosen. They are poured with warm water and allowed to swell. The fact that they have gained enough moisture can be judged by the outer fabric layer, which should tightly, without folds, fit the resulting “barrel”. Finished tablets are placed in tall pallets or trays.

Seeds are distributed in 1 or 2 pcs. At the same time, granulated ones are slightly pressed so that the shell is wetted with water and dissolves faster. Make sure that the tablets are tight, otherwise they may fall when adding water. It is convenient to use mini-greenhouses with cells. Pallets are covered to create greenhouse conditions and placed in a lighted place.

seedling care

Shoots at a temperature of 20-25 degrees and sufficient humidity hatch within a week or two. There is no point in waiting for them. The intensity of seedling development and their viability depends on how the petunia will be cared for after germination.

Temperature regime

Seedlings, especially hybrid varieties, do not germinate well in the cool. When they hatch, the temperature, on the contrary, is gradually lowered to 18 degrees during the day and 15 at night. Otherwise, they will begin to stretch and wilt. In addition, petunia, like all nightshades, forms more ovaries if the seedlings are kept in cool conditions in the early stages of development. This mode is maintained until landing in the ground. Do not forget that a sharp change in conditions for young animals is detrimental.

Lighting

Additional lighting greatly facilitates the care of petunia seedlings. Especially when planted early, this outdoor plant suffers from a lack of light. The normal light level for a petunia, 55,000 lm, is "available" only on the southern window sills at the end of March. Even in February the sun is still low and there are not enough clear days. As a result, without illumination, the seedlings are elongated, painful and yellowish.

Use LED or fluorescent lamps. The quantity is calculated taking into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe containers and the power of the lamps. They are placed 20 cm above the sprouts. Petunias are illuminated for 12-15 hours a day. At night, the light is not left - the plants must rest, otherwise they will begin to suffer already from "overexposure".

Even in the presence of lamps, the petunia is placed on the brightest window sill so that it receives as much natural light as possible. On "clean" artificial lighting, seedlings will die. The maximum power of the luminous flux that LED or luminescent sources give out is 4000 Lx. This is almost 10 times less than necessary.

Sunlight, in addition to photosynthesis, also protects seedlings from fungal diseases, the spores of which die under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. It is the lack of natural light, even with high-quality illumination, that leads to a mass death from the black leg. With early planting, seedlings can be helped by daily quartzing.

Watering and humidity, top dressing

Petunia is an outdoor plant, so it needs high humidity only at the time of seed germination. In the future, it only harms, increasing the risk of fungal diseases. Remove the film from the seedlings of petunias immediately after germination. Do this gradually, leaving seedlings without shelter for several hours longer every day.

Water the petunia seedlings moderately and carefully, along the aisles, trying not to let the drops fall on the leaves and stems - they become breeding grounds for saprophytes and other fungal pathogens, leading to the appearance of a black leg. It is this disease that is the main scourge of petunia seedlings. A layer of sand helps to fight it, which does not allow moisture to stagnate, quartzing. In addition, fungicides or potassium permanganate are added to the water for irrigation every 2 weeks. At the same interval, fertilizers are applied for seedlings with a predominance of nitrogen and potassium.

Picking and pinching seedlings

The picking of petunia seedlings is needed, first of all, in order to give the young growth more space - with all diligence in containers, it will rise with a thick carpet. Some professional flower growers are convinced that picking also helps to form a strong branched root system. On the other hand, after the procedure, the risk of infection with fungal diseases increases. Seedlings planted in peat tablets one at a time can not dive.

Petunia is dived from containers once or twice, depending on how densely it is planted. If there is less than 1 cm between seedlings, they begin to be seated in larger containers in the phase of the first pair of true leaves. The stems of the seedlings at this time are very thin and fragile, so a needle is used for transplantation, and then the seedlings are placed in a greenhouse for several days.

With a distance of 2-3 cm between seedlings, one pick is enough. After the third pair of true leaves, they are seated in separate containers, slightly buried. It is convenient to use disposable cups for this purpose. Do not forget to make holes for the outflow of excess moisture and lay a layer of drainage on the bottom.

Pinch the bush petunia over 3-4 pairs of leaves for branching. This delays flowering for several weeks, but you immediately get a fluffy bush with several buds. Ampelous forms can not be pinched.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Seedlings are planted after the threat of return frosts has passed, and the soil warms up to 15 degrees. More precisely, the landing time is determined depending on the region. For example, in Siberia, petunias are planted in late May - early June, and in the South of Russia - in early May.

For planting petunias, a sunny area is chosen, it is first dug up, compost or humus is added. Before planting, seedlings are gradually accustomed to open air: they are first taken out for several hours, gradually increasing the time.

The easiest way to plant plants grown in tablets: just remove the tissue shell and place the petunia in the prepared hole. Plastic containers, so as not to damage the root system, can be cut. The main thing is not to “pull out” the seedlings, but carefully remove them along with the earthy clod. The depth of the hole should be such that the bush does not have to be buried. Between petunias leave from 10 to 20 cm, depending on the characteristics of the selected variety.

Expert opinion

Mila Rozhkova

Color Expert

Petunia is a profusely flowering and unpretentious plant that adorns the flower bed until late autumn. Forcing petunia seedlings is not an easy task, but worth it, because this way you can grow rare original varieties.

Petunia is the most common plant, both in home gardens and on balconies. Abundant flowering begins in early May and pleases with its beauty until the first serious frosts.

Petunia flowers, planting and caring for them is considered an easy task, as the plants are not whimsical. But for its successful cultivation, you need to know certain rules:

• the plant loves sunlight;
• prefers sandy or loamy soils;
• does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of liquid;
• requires constant feeding (1 time in 12 - 15 days).

Planting petunia seeds for seedlings

Planting petunia seeds, for early flowering, should begin in mid-February. A prerequisite for growing seedlings is the presence of the required amount of light. If this component is not enough in the room where it is planned to grow, then it is advisable to use.

The plant begins to bloom 65 - 92 days after sowing the seeds. It depends on the variety of petunia. The larger the flowers of the plant, the longer it takes for it to bloom.

Before planting petunia seeds, prepare:

• planting containers with drainage holes;
• expanded clay;
• sprayer with water;
• covering material (it is advisable to use non-woven material, for example, spunbond, which allows the plant to breathe);
• selected seeds.

At the first stage, we prepare containers for seedlings:

• at the bottom of the cup, with drainage holes prepared in advance, we pour a layer of expanded clay about 1 cm high;
• spread and lightly tamp the soil mixture. It is necessary to leave a distance of 3 - 3.5 cm to the edge of the container.
• we moisten the soil.

Let's start planting petunias. Since the seeds of the plant are quite small, when planting, you can use a mixture of seeds with sand. This will allow the most even distribution of the seeds in the pot. You can use coated petunia seeds, but their cost is much higher than that of ordinary ones. Sprinkling petunia seeds with soil is not recommended. It is best to lightly press them until they are in full contact with the soil.

After planting the petunias, the boxes should be covered with covering material. Instead of matter, you can use glass or polyethylene. In this case, the plants will have to be forced to ventilate.

Under favorable conditions (ambient temperature 24ºС and humidity 98%) the seeds germinate in 7-9 days.

There is a simpler, but more costly method of obtaining plant seedlings - planting petunias in peat tablets. For this:

• acquired are poured with warm water and wait for it to swell and cool;
• with tweezers, place petunia seeds in the central hole;
• water moderately.

Plants dive into pots or into the ground along with tablets. Damage to the root system is completely excluded. For beginner flower growers, this method of growing flower seedlings is most preferable.

Planting an ampelous petunia is carried out in the same ways as a bush one.

Growing seedlings of petunias

When the seeds germinate and the first leaves appear, the covering material from the box must be removed. Water the plants gently and lower the ambient temperature to 18ºC.

At the first stage, petunia develops very slowly. Initially, the root system of plants is strengthened, and only after that the stems and leaves become stronger. This stage lasts about 4-5 weeks.

During this period, you need to monitor:

• soil moisture. It should not be dry or waterlogged.
• timely application of fertilizers. For petunias, complex fertilizers or preparations with a high content of potassium are suitable.
• sufficient lighting. In the daytime, the lamp should work at full power, and at night it is advisable to dim the light, but not turn it off completely.

For the development of strong and profusely flowering plants, after the appearance of several leaves, the top of the flower must be pinched. Strengthened plants are transplanted into separate, more spacious containers and continue to care for seedlings according to all of the above rules.

A month before planting petunias in the ground, the plants are hardened for 10 days. In the first half of the term, the daytime temperature near the seedlings should be 18ºС - 20ºС, and at night 16ºС. In the next five days, these figures are reduced by 2ºС - 3ºС. After carrying out such a procedure, the strengthened flowers will transfer the pick in the open ground the least painfully.

Video: how to plant petunia seedlings

Planting petunias in the ground

Let's move on to the question of how to properly plant a petunia in a permanent place:

• it is best to plant a plant in cloudy weather or after sunset;
• it is desirable to dive a seedling together with a clod of earth from a pot;
• the hole for the seedling must be at least 10 cm deep and wide;
• the distance between plantings depends on the variety of the flower. For large-flowered petunias, it is necessary to withstand 23 cm - 25 cm. For small-flowered petunias, 18 cm - 20 cm is enough. Ampelous petunia bushes are planted at a distance of 28 cm - 30 cm;
• after transplantation, the flowers are watered;
• for better rooting of petunia, the ground around the transplanted plant can be covered with humus or peat. Such a shelter for a longer period to retain moisture and protect the flower from possible frosts.

petunia care

Petunia care consists in watering plants, timely and constant feeding, and removing wilted flowers.

Water the plant only in dry weather. It is advisable to carry out this procedure after sunset. When watering, the water should not stagnate. It is enough just to moisten the earth around the root system of the flower.

The first top dressing is carried out 9 - 11 days after transplanting the plant to a permanent place. It is best to start feeding plants with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. You can use nitroammofosk.

For abundant flowering, during the period of bud formation, it is preferable to use fertilizers containing a large amount of phosphorus and potassium, such as superphosphate and potassium salt.

Petunias can be fed with wood ash. This fertilizer contains all the components necessary for the plant. Moreover, you can use both purchased fertilizer and made yourself, after a fire or from a stove.

An important component for proper plant nutrition is iron. In the absence of sufficient iron, petunias can develop chlorosis. The first signs of the disease appear on the leaves: they begin to turn yellow and fall off. Ferovit will come to the rescue, with which the plants are sprayed 3-5 times with an interval between sprayings of 2-3 days.

Wilted flowers should be removed from the plant. This leads to the formation of new buds and a long duration of flowering. Petunia flowers, which are properly planted and cared for, will be even more delightful if a beautiful crown of the plant is formed in time. For this, young shoots striving for high growth are pinched. The procedure is considered correct if pinching is carried out after 4 - 5 leaves. After the operation, the plant produces abundant multidirectional shoots, which are necessary for the formation of a beautiful "hat".

Proper planting and care of a petunia will lead to long and rich flowering. Planting petunia seeds in the video will help novice gardeners become more familiar with the procedure.

- read here!

Video: sowing and picking petunias

Among gardeners petunia is very popular. The flower feels great in the flower bed, it is bred and selected. Petunia is distinguished by bright petals of various colors, large flowers and a sweet aroma that fills the entire space around the bush. Try growing your own seedlings. If you grow a strong and healthy petunia, growing seedlings will become your hobby.

Due to the fact that petunia combines unpretentiousness to growing conditions and has beautiful flowers, it is quite often used for landscaping settlements, in landscape design, when decorating squares and parks.

Where to plant petunias?

These beautiful flowers look great on lawns and in various pots that hang along the streets. A small amount of a plant that will be planted in a flower pot near a cafe, hairdresser or bank located on the ground floor of the house pleases the eyes of visitors and passers-by with bright petals and cheers up with a sweet smell. Petunia fits perfectly into any design project is also used:

• On the median strip of the road.
• In city flower beds.
• In garden areas.
• In the gardens of country houses.
• On the balconies of apartments.
• Alpine hills.

During the summer months, these unpretentious and unusual plants bloom, more and more flowers. Growing does not require large physical and time costs.

How to choose the right varieties for a flower garden?

On the site, the flower can be used anywhere, it is only important correctly choose the length and height of the plant, and also be aware of the possible presence of hanging lashes. Do not forget about the quality and quantity of flowers, for example, for flowerpots and flowerpots, which are located near the house, around the gazebo or along the garden, small ampelous and cascading varieties of petunias are suitable. They go very well with high or contrasting counterparts, while creating a wonderful composition in which the middle will be high, and the whips will fall on the sides.

In order to decorate flower beds or a flower pot, short and medium short varieties are best, which are brightly covered with fragrant flowers.

In city apartments, in order to decorate a balcony on which petunias bloom, you do not have to make much effort, and even an inexperienced gardener can make very beautiful compositions. It does not matter at all whether it will be a single flower in a red pot or flowers of various shades and shapes that will decorate a loggia or balcony.

A gentle smell will be heard not only by the owners of the apartment, but also by people passing by.

Where to start?

Most often, a gardener who starts a new business for him asks himself the question - “What is the first thing you need to start and how to grow petunia seedlings at home and not make a mistake? The one who has a negative experience of growing flowers at home also thinks about this. Unfortunately, for all its simplicity and unpretentiousness characteristic of an adult plant, small seedlings can be susceptible to various diseases. Therefore, not all flower growers know how to plant a petunia for seedlings.

First of all, it is necessary plan a flower garden.

At the end of autumn, as well as winter, gardens and rest from plants, and the owners from hard, but most often rewarding work. At this time, it is best to think about how the plants will be located on the site and directly on the clubs. Depending on how we want to see the flower garden in the end, our choice of seeds for seedlings will depend.

Some people like multi-flowered varieties, which will be located on long stems, and the flowers will be painted in one color. And for some, one variety is not enough and the florist wants several types, for example, undersized and terry petunias. After the decision on the shape and color is made, you can go for the seeds.

When to plant petunias?

Sowing seeds directly depends on the time when you want to see the first flowers. In order for the petunia flower to please with its color for as long as possible, it is important to remember the time of planting the seedlings. Most often, plants that have grown and become much stronger are transplanted to a permanent place at the end of June. This happens after the threat of unexpected cold weather has passed, and the cold nights become warm. If you cannot be 100% sure about the weather, then you should not rush to plant the plants in the soil.

Sowing seeds for seedlings is recommended to be carried out in mid-February, approximately 12–14 weeks before planting the flower in the soil. The grower who wants to start flowering as early as possible can plant a petunia in January. Planting dates do not really matter if you want the flower to grow in a flower pot in an apartment. If you are going to grow a petunia to decorate a warm and glazed balcony, then planting date does not matter.

This is due to the fact that the flowering that occurs in the winter, on a balcony or in an apartment, will not be dangerous for the flower.

How to choose seeds?

A little more detail should be on the choice of seeds? Anyone who has ever seen petunia seeds can imagine all the difficulties that can arise during planting and growing.

Outwardly, the seeds resemble small poppy seeds, and sometimes they look like microscopic dust-like specks.

How can you plant seedlings with such seeds? There is one solution. Currently, there are 2 types of seeds on sale. The first in its natural form, that is, small seeds and the second in the form of small granules, which are one seed, which is enclosed in a rather thick and durable shell, consisting of various nutrients. The organic minerals that make up the shell, in turn, affect the awakening of the seed, its growth and more efficient development. The shell includes:

• Calcium.
• nitrogen compounds.
• Benadozole (antifungal drug).
• organic fertilizers.

Granules protect the future plant from diseases and are an effective mineral complex for plants that have been bred artificially and do not have sufficient resistance to various negative factors environment and disease.

Seeds in the form of granules are more expensive than regular seeds. In work, it is more convenient to use them than small ones, of course, it is convenient to take them in your hand and plant them in one row. You can use a special machine for planting seeds. Experienced flower growers believe that the result of planting small and granular seeds is approximately equal. However, when working with natural material labor costs exceed the quality of the end result.

How to choose land

Regardless of which soil you choose from the garden or purchased, it is important to remember that the soil must first be steamed. The procedure makes it possible to get rid of fungal spores and various pests that can destroy weak and small sprouts. It is necessary to observe the technology of growing fragile and thin sprouts, which are afraid of drafts and drying out.

For the substrate, when planting seeds, you can use the crushed top layers of peat, which will be mixed with sand. Such a mixture to protect the soil from the growth of moss and various root rot. The soil enriched with fertilizers and microelements provides the root system of the future plant with all the necessary elements for the effective development of growth and subsequent flowering.

The ability of the soil to store the optimal amount of moisture directly depends on the quality of the soil, as well as its composition. Due to lack of moisture, small sprouts dry out very quickly. And if moisture is in excess, the development of fungal diseases can be observed, which in turn will affect the stem and root system of plants. The level of acidity and salinity of the soil should be minimal.

Different opinions of experienced flower growers on how to determine the right amount of land and how to easily grow petunia seedlings at home. Some suggest using plastic food containers for these purposes, which you can buy at the store. Others believe that it is better to use a container made from natural materials, in particular peat. If there are no drainage holes in the container in which the seedlings will be grown, then they must first be made.

There are two ways to grow seedlings:

• Planting seeds in the soil.
• Planting granules in a peat substrate (tablets).

When planting seeds in the soil - we fill the container for sowing with earth. At the same time, we do not fall asleep to the top, the minimum distance from the edge of the container to the ground is 5 mm. This distance, in turn, is necessary in order for small seedlings to develop in a space protected from all sides. If you decide to use a plastic container with a lid, then you need to make several small holes in the lid, thanks to which the space will ventilate. It should be about 3 cm distance from the cover to the ground. The soil is pre-moistened and slightly compacted, natural seeds or granular grains are placed on top.

You can use a little trick before sowing a flower: if you still use small seeds, you can scatter them on a white sheet of paper, while taking a jar of water and a couple of toothpicks with you. Align all the seeds in one layer, you can choose the best and highest quality. After wetting the end of the toothpick, bring it to the desired seed, when it sticks to the wet part of the toothpick, carefully transfer this seed to a container with soil.

From above, the seeds are sprinkled with a small layer of soil, approximately 25 mm thick. The distance between future shoots should be at least 4 mm. It is not necessary to deepen the petunia seeds, as the sprouts may not have enough strength to break out of the ground. If you want to fix them in a certain place, you can press the surface that was sown a little with a flat plank.

Experienced flower growers advise: to speed up the growth process, you can moisten the seeds in a 0.2% solution of Previkur. After the seeds are planted, it is necessary to close the plastic container with a lid on which there will be holes. Polyethylene film or non-woven fabric is also suitable. Remove the container in a warm place and after 65-70 days the first shoots will appear.

Planting a petunia in a peat substrate is another way to plant a petunia for seedlings. Tablets are a ready-made substrate that only needs regular moisturizing as it dries. Planting granules in peat tablets does not make sense, because the tablets are a mixture of peat with fertilizer elements.

When planting petunias for seedlings in tablets, a small depression is made in which the seeds are placed, the substrate is slightly moistened and left warm. The tablet is placed in a plate, on a pallet or any other container, taking into account the fact that in the future the tablet will increase by 36 times. With poor lighting at home, seedlings quickly pull out. That is why it is very important to observe the seedlings several times a day and control growth. If suddenly you began to notice that the seedlings are too stretched, then you need to put a fluorescent lamp or a phytolamp from the side of the room, which can compensate for the lack of light.

In the process of growth, thin blades are freed from the peel that had previously surrounded them. This process requires a lot of moisture. Only after the small leaves are born, you can remove the film. Next, you need to pay attention to the temperature, which should not be lower than 21 degrees. It is necessary to ventilate the room for 15–25 minutes daily, and also moisten the soil in time. However, it should not be excessively wet.

If we constantly monitor these signs, we will get the result. It is not enough to plant petunia seedlings, it still needs to be grown. As soon as large and strong leaves appear (3-5 pieces), you can proceed to the next stage of cultivation.

Landing and picking

An important factor is the correct planting of seedlings after picking. First of all, it is important not to disturb the distance between the sprouts (4-6 cm no more).

One of the main ways to achieve the final result may be to plant a petunia that has already been dived into separate glasses or pots. The picking is mandatory, otherwise it is impossible to grow and bring the petunia to flowering. Shoots grow very actively and quickly take up space.

Conclusion

Following the instructions, even an inexperienced gardener can easily grow this unpretentious flower on his site. Observing all the necessary growing conditions, you can quickly and easily achieve good results and the grower's work will be rewarded with beautiful, bright and fragrant flowers.

A beautiful, lushly blooming petunia attracts the eye and causes admiration. A rare personal plot does without this flower culture. And although the choice of seedlings in the markets is simply huge, every housewife wants to grow the variety that she especially likes. But here's the problem: petunia seeds are small, and you need to work hard for them to sprout. Let's try to figure out how to grow a whimsical "beauty" and avoid disappointment.

When to plant petunias for seedlings

Selection of petunia seeds

When buying petunia seeds, pay attention to the following points:

• the best seeds are hybrid ones (the name and mark F1 should be on the package): they sprout better and give strong, well-flowering and rarely disease-prone plants;
• ampelous petunia varieties are suitable for hanging baskets and planters, in which seedlings are planted densely and regularly pinched;
• bush varieties are convenient for planting in the ground: they form bushes on the surface and are distinguished by lush and long flowering;
• mixtures of petunia varieties do not always live up to expectations, so it is better to stop at a certain color scheme, and combine colors when planting;
• when buying seeds, pay attention to the expiration date, since low germination is one of the problematic points for this crop.

Dates of sowing petunias for seedlings - lunar calendar

Petunia is planted in the ground in the first decade of June, since it blooms 10-12 weeks after sowing. By the method of simple calculations, it becomes clear that the seeds should fall into the soil in mid-March. This is the most convenient time when there will be enough light and heat for small sprouts.

With early sowing, the seedlings will stretch and be weak, with late sowing, the flowering time will be postponed indefinitely. The sowing time of petunias can be slightly changed, based on their specific conditions in which seedlings will be grown:

• if the windows face south, then sowing at the beginning of March will be successful;
• if there is backlighting, the deadline can be shifted to the end of February;
• on the northern windows, petunia will have to be sown at the end of March.

The temperature regime is important, which must be maintained within + 25C. If light, heat and a bag of seeds are available, then we proceed to planting.

Those flower growers who have the lunar calendar for 2018 "at hand" adjust the sowing dates based on the lunar cycle. It is well known that on the days of the full moon (February 11 and March 12) and new moon (February 26 and March 28), sowing is not carried out. It is undesirable to sow petunia on February 7.8 and 22 and March 5.6 and 23. On other days, the seeds will sprout well, but the most favorable days include:

• February 2, 13-16;
• 14, 15, 20-22 March.

Since petunia seeds are small and do not have good germination energy, it is better to focus on the lunar calendar in order to get friendly and strong seedlings.

On sale you can often find granulated (coated) petunia seeds. There are 5-10 pieces in a pack. The hope that they will give friendly shoots wrapped in a nutritious shell does not always justify itself. If the shell does not get wet during germination, then the seeds will not sprout, so it is better to give preference to ordinary seeds.

Proper sowing of petunias for seedlings is the key to success

You can sow petunia seeds for seedlings in a variety of containers: boxes, cassettes, mayonnaise boxes, butter, noodles are suitable. The volume of the container should be small, because the seeds are small. Any container is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and washed with water. The bottom should contain holes to drain excess moisture. The box or box is filled with earth to 2/3 of the height for ease of watering. Expanded clay is placed at the bottom as drainage.

It is most convenient to use cassettes with cells. The plant can not be dived and carefully removed with a clod of earth when planting, without damaging the root system. Use cassettes repeatedly, carefully disinfecting and washing before the next landing. The number of cells in the cassette is different, so you can choose the right amount based on the needs of seedlings. It is better to plant petunia seeds in large cells up to 10 cm high.

Buy better prepared soil. Its composition is balanced in terms of the main components, homogeneous (which is important for small seeds) and tested for the absence of larvae and spores. Purchased soil is usually already treated for diseases and pests.

At home, for reliability, it is spilled with boiling water or treated with potassium permanganate. The processed earth mix is ​​ready for use.

Little tricks when sowing petunias for seedlings:

1. Seeds are sown on top of the soil. They are so small that "under the ground" they do not have enough strength to germinate.

2. It is convenient to use a toothpick to evenly distribute the seeds. The seed is caught with the tip and carefully transferred to the place intended for it. Toothpicks mark the location of each seed.

3. Sowing is popular when snow is laid out on the soil surface with a small layer and lightly tamped, and seeds are scattered on top, which are clearly visible on a white background. This technique moisturizes, hardens and allows you to evenly distribute the seed.

4. From above, the container is closed with polyethylene or glass. Better to use a container with a lid. So the seeds get enough light, and moisture is stored for a long time.

5. Put the planting date on the container to track the time to germination and subsequent growth processes.

6. After planting, the seeds are sprayed with a spray bottle and the container is closed. Once a day, the micro-greenhouse should be slightly opened to aerate the air so that the seed does not become moldy.


Shoots appear after 10 days. With high-quality sowing material, the seeds germinate together. But it happens that the seeds do not hatch at the same time, forming rare seedlings. Usually they are weakened and unsuitable for further cultivation. Sometimes the seeds do not germinate at all. If 2 weeks have passed, and there are no seedlings, then it is pointless to wait further: you need to sow again.

How and in what to grow petunia seedlings at home

We looked at the most commonly used growing method: in a small pot or container using soil. It must have certain qualities: friability, nutritional value, the ability to retain moisture and have a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.

It is desirable to add wood ash to the purchased soil (for 5 liters of earth - 1⁄2 liters of ash), 250 g of perlite, 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate and "Kemira". Stir the resulting mixture thoroughly. With self-preparation of soil, soddy soil, humus, peat and sand (2: 2: 2: 1) are used. Another composition is also suitable - garden soil, sand and peat (1: 1: 2). When the soil is ready, it is sieved twice through a sieve to make the mixture homogeneous. It is disinfected using a solution of potassium permanganate or "Previkura", based on the instructions.

Petunia seedlings in peat tablets

When sowing pelleted (covered with a nutrient shell) petunia seeds, it is convenient to use peat tablets with a diameter of 3.5 to 4.5 cm. The planting method is as follows:

• tablets are placed in water until swollen, excess water is drained;
• carefully arrange them in a high tray (pallet);
• place a seed in the center of each tablet with a toothpick;
• pour it from a pipette with water to soak the nutrient shell;
• after a few minutes, we remove the soaked shells so that it is easier for the seed to germinate;
• cover the tray with a transparent lid, cellophane or glass and put in a warm and bright place for germination.

Petunia seedlings in peat tablets are not injured, as they do not need a pick. It grows well and is planted in the ground in a tablet, which facilitates survival and acclimatization.

Petunia seedlings in a plastic bottle on toilet paper

Not so long ago, another way to germinate petunia seeds appeared - in a plastic bottle on toilet paper. This method has a lot of advantages: all the necessary materials are available; planting containers take up little space; hygienic as no earth is required. The method is universal, it can be used for different cultures.

Landing sequence:

• from a plastic bottle we make "boats", cutting in half in length;
• we line the concave part with toilet paper folded in several layers;
• moisten the paper with plenty of water (fertilizers can be added) using a spray bottle;
• lay out the seeds on paper at an equal distance;
• put the "boat" in the bag and close it;
• we put a mini greenhouse in the light, providing heat up to + 25C.

The bottle and bag must be completely transparent so that the seedlings do not stretch. Seeds do not require additional watering, as a greenhouse effect is created inside the container. Shoots should appear in about 5-7 days. After the appearance of 3 leaves, the petunia dives into containers with soil.

By the time of transplanting into the ground, the petunia had already formed a small root system, which was “entangled” in the paper. You should not tear off the roots, you can plant the plant in the soil with lumps of paper.

Petunia in a greenhouse

It is quite possible to sow petunia seeds in a greenhouse in March: the air warms up well, there is also enough light. The downside are the differences in day and night temperatures and the cold ground. Petunia is sown in boxes with soil, lifting them above the soil surface. Cover with a film on top, creating high humidity and a greenhouse effect.

With a significant decrease in night temperatures, an additional heat source is used (heated bricks, hot water containers, an electric heater). Otherwise, the principle of germinating seeds and growing seedlings does not differ from the indoor method.

Petunia seedling care, possible problems and solutions

Petunia care involves several tricks that are important for getting strong, viable seedlings. At the initial stage, the following care is carried out:

• daily airing of seedlings;
• good lighting for the first three days, so that the sprouts do not stretch;
• removal of condensate droplets that accumulate on the lid of the container or film;
• watering from below, when containers with seedlings soak water through holes in the bottom, and the excess drains into the pan.

After the appearance of two cotyledon leaves, it is important to lower the temperature to +18 +20C. To do this, it is enough to move the containers with petunia seedlings away from the battery or remove them from the bright sun. Due to the decrease in temperature, the plants do not stretch, becoming strong and stocky.

Petunia shoots are small and tender, but already "from childhood" they need to be weaned from greenhouse conditions. A mini greenhouse should be periodically opened and ventilated, since high humidity leads to the formation of mold on the soil and the development of a fungal disease of the “black leg”. Increase the ventilation time daily, and then remove the cover (film) from the greenhouse completely.

Petunia Picking Procedure

Dive seedlings - one of the important points. It is carried out in the phase of 3 leaflets and includes two procedures: transplantation and shortening of the central root. Seedlings grow quite quickly, and over time it becomes crowded in a common container. Any separate container is suitable for transplantation: cassettes with cells, plastic cups from sour cream or yogurt, pots.

When transplanting seedlings into a “new home”, the root is cut off by 1/3 to form lateral roots and subsequently develop a powerful root system. But due to frequent root injuries, flower growers do not always decide on this procedure, trying to save the root so that the young sprout does not get sick.

For the procedure of picking petunia seedlings, it is convenient to use a wooden stick or a coffee spoon, making a small depression in the soil. A young plant should be buried in the soil to the cotyledon leaves in order to form additional roots.

As it grows, the root system will expand. This is important for the further growth of the bush and the flowering of petunias. Therefore, during picking, the culture should be immediately placed in a large container or two transplants should be made in order to plant well-developed seedlings in the ground in the future.

Important points: hardening and pinching

When the petunia seedlings get stronger after picking, the hardening process begins so that the bushes form strong, compact and quickly adapt to the new “place of residence”.

Hardening of seedlings is associated with exposure to low temperatures on the plant. The first week the petunia is kept at t=+10-15C for up to 15 minutes. Then this time is gradually increased, and in May the flower culture is moved to the loggia or balcony. As an option, they keep petunia seedlings under an open window.

Pinching is an important procedure. Petunia during growth forms an apical shoot, which is pinched with scissors at the level of 4-5 leaves. When the growth point is removed, lateral shoots are actively formed: the bush becomes branched and lush.

The more side shoots formed, the more flowers subsequently formed on the plant. Therefore, the pinching procedure is carried out repeatedly to form a beautiful "flower ball".

Planting seedlings of petunias in open ground

After three months of home cultivation, seedlings are planted in the ground in a permanent place. By this time, it is already quite strong, with a good root system and a branched stem. If hardening was carried out, then the seedlings will adapt to new conditions much faster.

Planting dates depend on the climate zone. Usually this is the beginning or middle of June, but there are southern regions where petunia is planted with seeds in the ground. The main thing is to exclude the possibility of return frosts. In the event of unexpected natural disasters, planted, but still immature plants are “wrapped up” with covering material.

Landing involves both the main and preparatory stages:

1. We fertilize the soil, dig it up and loosen it. The more nutritious the soil is, the longer the petunia will delight us with its flowering.

2. Enriching the soil with microelements, we add a shovel of wood ash to each bucket of humus. In acidic soils, lime is needed to provide a neutral environment.

3. The planting pattern depends on the variety and the choice of other flowers. Usually we plant a petunia at a distance of 25 × 25 cm, but with smaller bushes, a gap of 20 × 20 cm is sufficient.

4. On the flowerbed (rabatka), using a cord or meter, we mark the landing sites and make holes. If humus was not introduced into the soil, then it can be applied locally to the wells.

5. We water the seedlings before transplanting, after which we carefully remove them from the container without damaging the roots. At the same time, the earth lump should not crumble. When the root system is injured, the plant is sick for a long time and slowly recovers.

6. We plant seedlings in open ground in the evening or in cloudy, cool weather for good survival. Petunia roots are placed in the holes and buried, lightly tamping the ground. We water the flower, and mulch the surface of the soil around.

Ampel varieties of petunias are planted in pots or hanging containers, on the bottom of which drainage is laid, and on top - a fertile layer of earth. Petunia seedlings are often placed in pots to create a "flower waterfall". Planters should be placed in places protected from the wind.

Getting a beautiful flower bush from a tiny seed is not so easy. Petunia requires an attentive attitude and does not forgive mistakes in care. But the return from it is huge: beautiful bright flowers from June to mid-October. A variety of colors, many unique varieties, corrugated and terry flower corollas make flower growers grow petunia every year, starting almost from scratch.