Why do petunias have small flowers. Petunias, my short growing experience. Terms of planting petunias for seedlings

Appearance petunias is as follows: a branched stem ending in cone-shaped inflorescences. The color of the inflorescences can be either solid (white, lilac, purple, etc.) or speckled. Petunia belongs to the category of nightshade, has a stem from 10 cm. The peak of flowering late spring- beginning of autumn.

On a note. Certain types of plants can bloom until the first frost.

There are many types of petunias, but two main ones can be distinguished - indoor and outdoor. Street plants are planted mainly along the curb, in the alleys, hung in baskets on the walls of houses. Room grows in pots.

Petunia - very unpretentious flower, That's why special care it is not required. The only thing that cannot be tolerated given flower- this is a strong bay of soil in which it grows. It is best to plant petunia in sunny places, as the flower is very drought-resistant.

If you want to get a lush shrub, then planting is best done using seedlings. You can buy it at any store or sow the seeds in small cups yourself. The optimal planting period for petunias is mid-March. But it is best to follow the instructions on the pack of seeds when planting.

You can often notice such a problem: the plant, for no good reason, begins to fade, and shrink, the stem begins to lean towards the ground. However, none are observed on the stems and leaves. What happens to your pet?

  • The first and most important cause of wilting is fusarium. Fusarium is fungal disease. Its danger lies in the fact that early dates plant diseases, it is almost impossible to diagnose fusarium. The fungus first affects the root of the petunia and gradually moves up the stem to the leaves and the inflorescence itself.

    The root of the plant gradually rots, the stem becomes thinner and acquires a yellowish tint. It is almost impossible to save the flower in this case. Fusarium strikes initially root system, so the petunia stops receiving nutrients from the soil.

  • The second reason is lack sun rays. Petunia is very light-loving flower, so you should take this into account when landing. If the petunia grows in room conditions, then try rearranging it to a more sunny place and watch for a few days.

    Important! AT summer time between 12 pm and 4 pm, it is best to shade the petunia a little, as direct sunlight can cause thermal burns.

  • The third reason concerns flowers growing in hanging pots. Wilting can be caused by drying out of the soil. Water the flower and put it briefly on a tray of water. These measures will suffice.
  • The fourth is overwatering. It is important not to over-water, as this can cause the petunia's roots to rot. It is worth watering every 4 days, in a particularly hot period (July-August) every three days.

Now you know why petunia leaves wilt in a pot.

Very often you can notice that the petunia itself blooms, the stem is normal, but the leaves begin to fade. Why is this happening? main reason is an unregulated mode of watering a flower.

Check the soil in which the petunia grows. If the earth easily moves away from the walls of the pot, then the plant needs urgent watering. You can place a pot of petunia in a container of water for 2/3 minutes for 30-40. This time will be enough for the soil to be saturated with water. After impregnation, remove the container with the petunia and place it away from direct sunlight.

Also, the reason for the drying of the soil can be a large number of peat in the substrate. Peat does not retain moisture at all. In this case, simply replace the soil in the pot.

Often the cause of drying out is large drainage holes in the pot. It is recommended to replace the pot.

Now consider the causes associated with an excess of moisture. If you notice that the ground long time after watering it remains wet, and there is water in the pan, it is better to drain the water and wait for the soil to dry completely. Often, mold can form in a pot from excessive watering, in which case it is urgent to replace the earth, and allow the flower itself to dry thoroughly, if signs of rotting of the root system are found, eliminate the affected areas.

If signs of mold are found, transplant the petunia into a new soil., after treating the pot with boiling water, and treat the soil itself with a fungicide.

Reference. It should not be forgotten that too cold water for watering, finding a flower in drafts, the leaves can also wither. So it's best to use water room temperature.

Now you know what to do if the flower wilts.

When growing petunias, flower growers may encounter problems such as and, and. You can study the causes and ways to get rid of these misfortunes in separate articles on our portal. In addition, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the section on.

Preventive measures

  1. Observe the temperature and irrigation regime.
  2. Do not overfill the flower, spray it. And at the same time, avoid drying out the petunia.
  3. If Fusarium is the cause of wilting, we recommend using pre-treated seeds with antifungal agents for planting.
  4. If the plant is infected, then it should be disposed of along with the soil, and the container itself should be treated with disinfectants.
  5. Use fungicide-treated soil for planting.
  6. It is best to buy seeds and soil in specialized stores.

If you want petunia to always please with beauty and aroma, then follow simple terms its content. Carry out the prevention of the plant and then the beauty will delight you for a long time.

Petunias are beautiful and unpretentious flowers for giving. Recently, they are very popular for almost all summer residents. And, of course, with the advent of spring, the question of when to plant petunias for seedlings in 2019 becomes relevant.


You can, of course, grow these beautiful flowers from seed to open field. But petunia is a flower that is afraid of frost and therefore it is more reliable to grow seedlings in advance with color. And then transplant into prepared warm soil.


Magnificent petunias, with their variety of petal colors, are the most favored plants for decorating balconies, and this is the most favorable time for sowing such plants.


In order to get strong plants, it is important to follow the rules of agricultural technology. If everything is done correctly and in a timely manner, then at the end of May, juicy bright buds of the most incredible color will please the eye.


About when exactly to plant seedlings of petunias in February and March 2019 and how to grow them at home without losing sprouts is described in this material with a video at the end of the page.

How to choose petunia seeds


Petunia seeds themselves are very small, so many gardeners prefer pelleted options. On the one hand, due to their size, it is more convenient to sow them, on the other hand, there is a risk that, if there is not enough moisture, the shell will dissolve poorly and interfere with seedlings. There is no clear advice here, the choice is yours.


Terms of planting petunias for seedlings

It is important to know when to sow petunia seeds for seedlings. This flower has tiny seeds that take a long time to germinate.

In this regard, they must be sown well in advance of the planned date. About when to plant petunias for seedlings in 2019 and what factors to follow, read on.


Ampelous petunia and cascading flower varieties are sown earlier, as they take longer to develop and grow more slowly. Bush varieties are more early ripening, they are sown 2 weeks later than climbing varieties.

The timing of sowing seeds is influenced by the decision of the grower where to plant the petunia. If the flowers are planned to be placed in flowerbeds in the open field, seedlings are planted in early June (for the Middle Strip).


For early flowering of petunias on a balcony or terrace, flowers are planted in flowerpots and planters in mid and late May. On the balcony, the air temperature is higher than at the surface of the earth. It is easier to bring flowerpots with flowers into the house or cover the flowerpots when it gets colder than in the garden.

Petunia can't stand it sub-zero temperatures! The plant is damaged already at -1 degree.

Gardeners who prepare flowers for sale begin trading from the first days of May. So, the crops begin no later than mid-February.



Depending on the climatic features region

You need to choose a day, focusing on the last spring frosts. Start sowing seeds when the soil and air are warm enough. Terms of planting petunias for seedlings by region:


AT middle lane and Moscow region in open ground it is safe to take out seedlings in late May - early June. It follows from this that sowing with seeds is carried out no later than mid-March for bush varieties early flowering and no later than the end of February for ampelous petunias.
AT Leningrad region the climate allows you to place flowers in the open field no earlier than the first decade - mid-June. Flowers are sown in March - early April.
In the Urals and Siberia, frosts can occur until June 15. Heat-loving flowers are grown here in pots and flowerpots, so that in case of a cold snap, they can carry the plants into the warmth. Petunia seeds for growing seedlings are lowered into the ground in mid-March.
In the south of our country, the climate allows you to sow petunias directly into the ground in April. At first, the crops are covered with a film or non-woven material, but in May there are no more frosts and nothing threatens young plants.
Planting petunias for seedlings in 2019 lunar calendar

Petunia seeds are small enough that they take a long time to germinate. They should be sown as early as January so that many flowers appear in early summer. Sowing is planned for the period of the Growing Moon.


January is gone auspicious days to sow seedlings, but there are 3 good months ahead. Sowing according to the lunar calendar can be planned for:


February - 7, 11-13, 16, 17, 21-23;
March - 10 - 12, 15, 28-30;
April - 7-9, 11, 16-18, 25, 26.

Sowing, picking and transplanting should be discarded:


in February - 3-5, 19, 20;
in March - 5, 6, 21, 31;
in April - 5, 19.

What kind of soil is needed for planting petunia seeds

If you have already selected varieties and determined the time when to plant petunias, then you can prepare the soil for seedlings. For such small seeds soil is the most important. In dense and heavy soil, the seeds will not be able to sprout, they need a very loose, light and moisture-intensive substrate.


You can use several options for soil mixtures for growing seedlings of petunias, it all depends on what is available.


First option:

One piece of garden soil

Two pieces of peat

One part of leaf humus


Second option:

One part of ready-made universal primer

One part of river sand

One piece of peat


Third option:

One piece of leafy land from the forest

One piece of peat

Two parts of garden land

by the most convenient option petunia crops are considered peat tablets, in this case, there is no need for picking, the plants are then immediately planted in tablets in the ground.

As you can see, you can make different mixtures, as long as they are loose and retain moisture. Used as an additive for soil enrichment potash fertilizers, wood ash and perlite or vermiculite for looseness.


Lumps of earth or peat can interfere with seedlings, therefore, after mixing the soil, it is usually sifted through a sieve. All large fractions are thrown away so that nothing prevents the seeds from germinating.



What to plant petunia seeds for seedlings

Petunia seedlings do not need deep containers to grow. Enough of some drawers or special containers for gardening.


Flower growers who have already grown petunia seedlings know that the sprouts are very small and tender; at the slightest deviation from the norms in care, they simply die. An excess of moisture is very terrible for them. Therefore, we lay a layer of drainage on the bottom of the tanks, it can be expanded clay or broken brick.


The soil also needs to be disinfected, spilled with boiling water, steamed or frozen. Tanks are also processed before sowing. We pour the soil not reaching 1-1.5 cm to the edge of the container and level it well so that the surface becomes absolutely even.

Preparing petunia seeds for sowing seedlings at home

Seed processing steps:


pickling. Reception is carried out in order to prevent diseases. Can be done by holding hot water(50 degrees) for 30 minutes or soaked in a solution of manganese;
soaking. To speed up the germination process, the seeds are kept in warm water(25-30 degrees) in a saucer, covering with gauze. As soon as the seeds absorb moisture, water is added again a little. Water should not be too much. As soon as the seeds hatch, they are dried and sown;
treatment with a solution of microelements. This accelerates seed germination, seedling growth and increases disease resistance.

Video: how to plant petunia seeds

petunia seedling care

Petunia seedlings are very small, so in the first days after they appear, they need very careful care.


Light mode

The location of containers with future seedlings should be bright, otherwise you won’t even get seedlings. In the first days of growth, lighting can be almost around the clock, in further plant 11-12 hours of daylight will suffice.


With a lack of light, you should use the backlight (phytolamps, fluorescent or LED lights, which are installed at a height of about 20 cm above the seedlings), with an excess of direct sunlight - periodically shade the site or temporarily remove the boxes to another place.


Temperature regime

The temperature of keeping trays with germinating crops should be about 22-25 ° C (especially capricious in this regard hybrid petunias). If the temperature is lower, the plants may not sprout; if it is higher, they are more likely to get sick.


As soon as the sprouts appear, in order to "harden" the plants, the temperature of the content should be reduced: to 18-20 ° C during the day and 14-16 ° C at night. This can be achieved, for example, by moving the trays with seedlings further from the battery.

When the first true leaves appear, you can finally remove protective film(glass).


Watering petunias

The moisture regime is also very important for seedlings: excess moisture can contribute to plant decay or infection with a fungus (black leg), and a lack of moisture can cause petunias to dry out.



In the first week, it is enough to spray the soil with seeds 1-2 times a day with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Emerging shoots will require daily watering.


Water for these purposes suitable soft, settled, without chlorine, at room temperature, you can take melt water. You can water the seedlings in the “lower” way (through the pan), you can pour water along the inner walls of the tray, or you can drip from a syringe right under the roots of the seedlings.

In cloudy weather it is best to water the seedlings in the morning, and in sunny weather in the evening.


Feeding seedlings of petunias

Very weak seedlings 1-2 times over the entire period can be sprayed with a growth stimulator (Epin, Heteroauxin, Bud, Ovary, Pollen). 6-7 days after the sprouts appear, you can feed them mineral fertilizers(repeat this procedure no earlier than 10 days later). For the site: http://svegienovosti.ru/

Petunia is one of the most popular ampelous plants, which decorate balconies, loggias, verandas and other places in the country. To grow a quality plant, it is necessary to plant seeds for seedlings on time. Consider when it is best to plant petunias for seedlings in February according to the lunar calendar.

When to plant a petunia in February according to the lunar calendar.

Petunia seedlings are quite difficult to grow. However, if you cope with the seedlings, then the plant will delight you with its gorgeous flowering throughout the season. In order for the petunia seeds to actively germinate and begin good growth you need to plant a petunia on the growing moon. It is believed that the moon has a beneficial effect on plants. Therefore, many gardeners prefer to take into account the phases of the moon.

When planting petunias for seedlings, you need to take into account the plant variety, the conditions of a particular region and the lunar calendar.

Favorable days for planting petunias for seedlings in February:

February: 6, 7, 8, 12-17.

In February, from the 5th, the moon begins its growth. On February 6 and 7, the Moon grows and is in the sign of Pisces. February 8, 9, 10, 2019 the Moon is growing and is in the sign of Aries.

From February 11 to February 12, the Moon grows and is in the sign of Taurus. On February 13 and 14, the Moon is in the sign of Gemini, and on 15 and 16 in the sign of Cancer. On February 17 and 18, the Moon continues to grow in the sign of Leo. And from February 21, the moon is waning. Therefore, from this day until the beginning of the growth of the moon, it is better not to plant a petunia for seedlings.

When to plant petunias for seedlings, taking into account the regions of residence.

In addition to the lunar calendar, before planting a petunia, it is also worth considering the petunia variety and place of residence. Insofar as weather each region of the country is different.

Also be sure to take into account 10-15 days for the emergence of seedlings. To this we add 50-60 days for growing seedlings. Such a simple calculation will allow you to determine the landing time.

In Central Russia and in the Moscow region, petunia seeds can be sown from late January to mid-February. With such a planting, by May the petunia will delight with the first flowers. In May, it can be planted in open ground or hanging pot. As a result, this beautiful plant will bloom all season until autumn frosts.

In the Urals and Siberia, it is best to plant petunias in March. Since in March daylight hours increase and the plant will grow better than when planted in February. When planting seedlings in February, additional lighting with special lamps will be required. Otherwise, the seedlings will stretch and grow poorly.

Petunias are beautiful and unpretentious flowers for giving. Recently, they are very popular for almost all summer residents. And, of course, with the advent of spring, the question of when to plant petunias for seedlings in 2019 becomes relevant.


You can, of course, grow these beautiful flowers from seed outdoors. But petunia is a flower that is afraid of frost and therefore it is more reliable to grow seedlings in advance with color. And then transplant into prepared warm soil.


Magnificent petunias, with their variety of petal colors, are the most favored plants for decorating balconies, and this is the most favorable time for sowing such plants.


In order to get strong plants, it is important to follow the rules of agricultural technology. If everything is done correctly and in a timely manner, then at the end of May, juicy bright buds of the most incredible color will please the eye.


About when exactly to plant seedlings of petunias in February and March 2019 and how to grow them at home without losing sprouts is described in this material with a video at the end of the page.

How to choose petunia seeds


Petunia seeds themselves are very small, so many gardeners prefer pelleted options. On the one hand, due to their size, it is more convenient to sow them, on the other hand, there is a risk that, if there is not enough moisture, the shell will dissolve poorly and interfere with seedlings. There is no clear advice here, the choice is yours.


Terms of planting petunias for seedlings

It is important to know when to sow petunia seeds for seedlings. This flower has tiny seeds that take a long time to germinate.

In this regard, they must be sown well in advance of the planned date. About when to plant petunias for seedlings in 2019 and what factors to follow, read on.


Ampelous petunia and cascading flower varieties are sown earlier, as they take longer to develop and grow more slowly. Bush varieties are more early ripening, they are sown 2 weeks later than climbing varieties.

The timing of sowing seeds is influenced by the decision of the grower where to plant the petunia. If the flowers are planned to be placed in flowerbeds in the open field, seedlings are planted in early June (for the Middle Strip).


For early flowering of petunias on a balcony or terrace, flowers are planted in flowerpots and planters in mid and late May. On the balcony, the air temperature is higher than at the surface of the earth. It is easier to bring flowerpots with flowers into the house or cover the flowerpots when it gets colder than in the garden.

Petunia does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures! The plant is damaged already at -1 degree.

Gardeners who prepare flowers for sale begin trading from the first days of May. So, the crops begin no later than mid-February.



Depending on the climatic features of the region

You need to choose a day, focusing on the last spring frosts. Start sowing seeds when the soil and air are warm enough. Terms of planting petunias for seedlings by region:


In the Middle lane and the Moscow region, it is safe to take out seedlings in open ground in late May - early June. From this it follows that sowing with seeds is carried out no later than mid-March for bush varieties of early flowering and no later than the end of February for ampelous petunias.
In the Leningrad region, the climate allows you to place flowers in the open field no earlier than the first decade - mid-June. Flowers are sown in March - early April.
In the Urals and Siberia, frosts can occur until June 15. Heat-loving flowers are grown here in pots and flowerpots, so that in case of a cold snap, they can carry the plants into the warmth. Petunia seeds for growing seedlings are lowered into the ground in mid-March.
In the south of our country, the climate allows you to sow petunias directly into the ground in April. At first, the crops are covered with a film or non-woven material, but in May there are no more frosts and nothing threatens young plants.
Planting petunias for seedlings in 2019 according to the lunar calendar

Petunia seeds are small enough that they take a long time to germinate. They should be sown as early as January so that many flowers appear in early summer. Sowing is planned for the period of the Growing Moon.


There are no favorable days left in January to sow seedlings, but there are 3 good months ahead. Sowing according to the lunar calendar can be planned for:


February - 7, 11-13, 16, 17, 21-23;
March - 10 - 12, 15, 28-30;
April - 7-9, 11, 16-18, 25, 26.

Sowing, picking and transplanting should be discarded:


in February - 3-5, 19, 20;
in March - 5, 6, 21, 31;
in April - 5, 19.

What kind of soil is needed for planting petunia seeds

If you have already selected varieties and determined the time when to plant petunias, then you can prepare the soil for seedlings. For such small seeds, the soil is the most important. In dense and heavy soil, the seeds will not be able to sprout, they need a very loose, light and moisture-intensive substrate.


You can use several options for soil mixtures for growing seedlings of petunias, it all depends on what is available.


First option:

One piece of garden soil

Two pieces of peat

One part of leaf humus


Second option:

One part of ready-made universal primer

One part of river sand

One piece of peat


Third option:

One piece of leafy land from the forest

One piece of peat

Two parts of garden land

Peat tablets are considered the most convenient option for sowing petunias, in this case there is no need for a pick, the plants are then immediately planted in tablets in the ground.

As you can see, you can make different mixtures, as long as they are loose and retain moisture. To enrich the soil, potash fertilizers, wood ash and perlite or vermiculite are used as additives for friability.


Lumps of earth or peat can interfere with seedlings, therefore, after mixing the soil, it is usually sifted through a sieve. All large fractions are thrown away so that nothing prevents the seeds from germinating.



What to plant petunia seeds for seedlings

Petunia seedlings do not need deep containers to grow. Enough of some drawers or special containers for gardening.


Flower growers who have already grown petunia seedlings know that the sprouts are very small and tender; at the slightest deviation from the norms in care, they simply die. An excess of moisture is very terrible for them. Therefore, we lay a layer of drainage on the bottom of the tanks, it can be expanded clay or broken brick.


The soil also needs to be disinfected, spilled with boiling water, steamed or frozen. Tanks are also processed before sowing. We pour the soil not reaching 1-1.5 cm to the edge of the container and level it well so that the surface becomes absolutely even.

Preparing petunia seeds for sowing seedlings at home

Seed processing steps:


pickling. Reception is carried out in order to prevent diseases. Can be done by soaking in hot water (50 degrees) for 30 minutes or soaking in a solution of manganese;
soaking. To speed up the germination process, the seeds are kept in warm water (25-30 degrees) in a saucer, covered with gauze. As soon as the seeds absorb moisture, water is added again a little. Water should not be too much. As soon as the seeds hatch, they are dried and sown;
treatment with a solution of microelements. This accelerates seed germination, seedling growth and increases disease resistance.

Video: how to plant petunia seeds

petunia seedling care

Petunia seedlings are very small, so in the first days after they appear, they need very careful care.


Light mode

The location of containers with future seedlings should be bright, otherwise you won’t even get seedlings. In the first days of growth, lighting can be almost round-the-clock, in the future, 11-12 hours of daylight will be enough for the plant.


With a lack of light, you should use backlighting (phytolamps, fluorescent or LED lamps, which are installed at a height of about 20 cm above the seedlings), with an excess of direct sunlight, periodically shade the site or temporarily remove the boxes to another place.


Temperature regime

The temperature of keeping trays with germinating crops should be about 22-25 ° C (hybrid petunias are especially capricious in this regard). If the temperature is lower, the plants may not sprout; if it is higher, they are more likely to get sick.


As soon as the sprouts appear, in order to "harden" the plants, the temperature of the content should be reduced: to 18-20 ° C during the day and 14-16 ° C at night. This can be achieved, for example, by moving the trays with seedlings further from the battery.

When the first true leaves appear, you can finally remove the protective film (glass).


Watering petunias

The moisture regime is also very important for seedlings: excess moisture can contribute to plant decay or infection with a fungus (black leg), and a lack of moisture can cause petunias to dry out.



In the first week, it is enough to spray the soil with seeds 1-2 times a day with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Emerging shoots will require daily watering.


Water for these purposes is suitable for soft, settled, without chlorine, at room temperature, you can take melted water. You can water the seedlings in the “lower” way (through the pan), you can pour water along the inner walls of the tray, or you can drip from a syringe right under the roots of the seedlings.

In cloudy weather it is best to water the seedlings in the morning, and in sunny weather in the evening.


Feeding seedlings of petunias

Very weak seedlings 1-2 times over the entire period can be sprayed with a growth stimulator (Epin, Heteroauxin, Bud, Ovary, Pollen). 6-7 days after the appearance of the sprouts, you can feed them with mineral fertilizers (repeat this procedure no earlier than 10 days later). For the site: http://svegienovosti.ru/

Surely, in the summer you have often paid attention to hanging flowerpots with chic petunias, which street cafes, restaurants, and parks acquired. And very often it happened that after a while, when you came there again, there was no trace of the former beauty of the petunias. Yellow, withered lashes, single small flowers. What is it? Apparently, the conditions for growing petunias were not met. Meanwhile, petunia is a very grateful flower and, if you follow the rules for its cultivation, it will bloom profusely, almost non-stop, from May until the frost. Do you want to know how to grow a beautiful petunia? Then read on.

Let's say you've already grown. Or bought it ready-made on the market - it doesn't matter. The main goal that faces you is to turn frail sprouts into fluffy ones, flowering bushes. So, let's start from the beginning - we will plant our seedlings in pots, flowerpots and balcony boxes. This should be done only after constant positive temperatures have been established at night, without the threat of frost.

Petunia at home needs good nutrition. Yes, blooming surfinias from nurseries are often sold in small liter planters, where cunning growers manage to plant 2-3 plants at once. This is done only to ensure the momentary attractiveness of the flower. You have probably observed more than once that such plants do not live long. Everything is correct! There is not enough food. Therefore, we will learn from the mistakes of others and follow the rules: small bushy petunias can be planted in pots and boxes, at the rate of 1-2 liters of earth per 1 plant. Cascading petunias, most ampels, surfinias are more voracious, so they need to provide 3-5 liters of land per 1 plant. Petunias Typhoon, Tornado are especially powerful, the minimum amount of land for them is 7 liters per 1 plant, and preferably 10-15 liters.

When deciding at what distance to plant a petunia, take it for granted that between the central stems of the bushes you need to withstand 15-20 cm. If you plant seedlings thicker, then in adulthood, stronger specimens will inevitably oppress the weak ones, since the branches will have nowhere to grow.


Between petunias, a distance of 15-20 cm must be observed, otherwise adult plants will be crowded in such a company in a month

I would like to draw attention to the quality of modern plastic boxes, in which petunias are most often grown on the balcony. These are thin-walled boxes with a depth of only 12-15 cm, length - from 30 cm and more. The depth of this container is very small and does not allow pouring even normal drainage layer(5 cm). Therefore, if you have the opportunity, purchase deeper boxes (for example, Italian-made) - petunias will thank you for this! If this is not possible, you will have to save on drainage. Well, make more drainage holes in the plastic bottom of the box (with a hot nail or a screwdriver), pour a layer of expanded clay (0.5-1 cm) inside so that the holes do not clog with earth and work according to plan, that is, let out excess moisture. After that, you can start planting.

What land is needed for petunias?

Petunias, which are grown in boxes and pots, need a special composition of the soil. It should be loose, moisture-permeable, light. In this regard, a purchased universal peat-based soil is well suited. As additives, it is recommended to dilute it with baking powder (perlite or vermiculite), a small amount of sand and biohumus. Some flower growers grow petunias in such soil: garden soil is mixed with peat soil and baking powder in a ratio of 3:3:0.5. The soil for petunias should not consist only of garden soil - it is too heavy, cracks between waterings and does not allow the roots to "breathe".

All four corners of the world...

Important conditions for growing petunias are light and air. Moreover, these two components are equally important. Petunia will wither in deep shade (for example, on a balcony darkened by trees), just like on a bright but glazed loggia, where there is a small influx of fresh air.

Petunia loves open and sunny balconies southern and southeastern directions, on which it will bloom especially luxuriantly. However, modern varieties of petunia (for example, supertunia, minitunia, fortunia) also perform well on the north side, being planted in balcony boxes. Therefore, if you have north balcony, never choose simple petunias for him, they will stretch strongly and bloom poorly, only expensive seeds of modern hybrids will save you. Do not spare money - luxurious flowers are worth it!

Supertunia, even on the northern balcony, can look great, with proper care.

Petunia cannot endure drought for a long time: its leaves sag, flowers become like wet rags. If this state did not last long, then all the beauty of the flower is restored if it is watered. But it is impossible to allow regular drying, as the petunia will gradually begin to dry, turn yellow, and lose its external attractiveness. Moreover, almost certainly, there will be a drop in the immunity of the plant, which means that it will hurt and catch any ailment that “flies” past in the form of a tick, whitefly or powdery mildew. Generally, proper watering- This important condition successful cultivation petunias.


In the summer, during flowering, you need to water the petunia often - in the morning and in the evening. If you cannot provide high-quality watering, add hydrogel to the soil or use ceramic funnel cones to moisten the soil

Water the petunia generously, so that the water begins to come out of the drainage holes. In this case, there will be confidence that the clod of earth has been completely wetted. Usually in the summer the petunia is watered 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening. Important rule: Never start watering if the hot sun is shining on the flowers. You will ensure that the roots in moist soil begin to "cook", and this can lead to the death of the plant. According to the orientation of your balcony, work out your own watering schedule. For example, if the direct rays of the sun fall on it from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., then water the plantings at 7 a.m. and at 3 pm (or a little later, for example, as soon as you come home from work in the evening).

Please note that in May-early June, when petunias are already sleeping on the balcony (street), it is still quite cool at night. Therefore, try not to water the plants late in the evening to avoid hypothermia of the roots. The same can be said about autumn - September and October. In summer, such precautions are irrelevant.

Shower for petunias

On dry summer days, petunias should be sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. This will be a good prevention and saturate the plant with moisture from the outside. Evening abundant spraying has a great effect on the condition of petunias, making them healthier and stronger. Spraying should be done when the sun leaves your balcony. Otherwise, the plants will definitely remain sunburn- the rays will pass through the drops of water, as through lenses and burn through the sheet plate.

Removing flowers for... flowering

In order to achieve lush and constant flowering, you need to regularly pick off faded flowers (along with the seed box). If you do not do this, then the plant will direct all its forces to the ripening of seeds, and will forget about flowering for a long time. Yes, and he will look very untidy! Therefore, experienced petunia growers every day for 10-15 minutes are engaged in removing the ovaries - this stimulates the formation of new buds and flowers.

Petunia shaping - summer haircuts for future beauty

By the middle of summer, petunias usually begin to bloom worse, the lashes are drawn out, the flowers are smaller. In order to return the decorative effect to the plants, they are pruned. Bush petunias can be cut radically, leaving 10-12 cm. Ampel haircuts are not so radical - the lashes are shortened by about half their length.


This petunia was trimmed almost to a stump 2 weeks ago! And now it's blooming!

Do not be afraid to prune petunias, do not feel sorry for them! You will see, the twigs and leaves will grow back quite quickly and after 2 weeks instead of the aging frail "freak" you will get a young magnificent bush of lush greenery and flowers. During this period, it is very important to correctly and regularly. Then she will very easily endure pruning and respond to it. rapid growth new branches and abundant flowering.

You can prune petunias several times a season, usually in mid-summer (July) and early autumn (September).

Petunia diseases - what can overshadow lush flowering?

Petunia is not a capricious plant, but it can also be damaged by a number of diseases. The most common disease that petunia bushes usually encounter every summer is this. At the same time, mealy appears on the lower leaves. white coating smelling of mushrooms (which is not surprising, because powdery mildew is caused by a fungus). The leaves themselves turn yellow, lose turgor and hang like lifeless rags. Getting rid of powdery mildew is quite simple if you use antifungal drugs (Fundazol, Emerald, Topaz, etc.).

Sometimes suspicious midges begin to curl over the petunia. Most often it is, for the destruction of which you can use any insecticide, for example Aktara or more armor-piercing Aktellik and Fitoverm. You can also destroy a close relative of the whitefly - aphids.

Well, the worst thing that can be on a petunia is this. A small arachnid settles on the lower part of the leaf plates and begins to suck out the juice, systematically leading the plant to death. To destroy the pest, you should use acaricides - "Fitoverm", "Aktellik", etc.

Sometimes an adult petunia turns yellow. This may happen due to a broken temperature regime, the presence of harmful "living creatures" or chlorosis - a lack of iron. occurs due to violations of the vital activity of the plant, which ceases to the right amount absorb iron. A similar disease is treated by spraying the plant and watering the soil with various iron-containing preparations - Ferrovit, Micro Fe, etc.