Petunia

The name of this perennial herb native to South America comes from the word "petum", which is the Brazilian colloquial name for tobacco. This is probably due to the fact that the leaves of these species are slightly similar, by the way, both belong to the same family. Most petunias that are grown these days are hybrids. They are used as annual plants in borders, flower beds and for decoration of balconies and terraces. Today, there are numerous cultivars on sale with flowers painted in colors from white to cream and yellow with various shades of blue, purple, pink, red, salmon. They are divided into two large classes - multi-flowered (Petunia hybrids multiflora) and large-flowered (Petunia hybrids grandiflora). Multi-flowered hybrids differ in the diameter of flowers, reaching about 5 cm, and remontance; plants are characterized by average resistance to adverse environmental conditions (in particular, to excessive precipitation). Large-flowered petunias can have flowers with a diameter of 10 cm, they are less resistant to rain. They are not repairable.

The name of this perennial herb native to South America comes from the word "petum", which is the Brazilian colloquial name for tobacco. This is probably due to the fact that the leaves of these species are slightly similar, by the way, both belong to the same family. Most petunias that are grown these days are hybrids. They are used as annual plants in borders, flower beds and for decoration of balconies and terraces.

Today, there are numerous cultivars on sale with flowers painted in colors from white to cream and yellow with various shades of blue, purple, pink, red, salmon. They are divided into two large classes - multi-flowered (Petunia hybrids multiflora) and large-flowered (Petunia hybrids grandiflora). Multi-flowered hybrids differ in the diameter of flowers, reaching about 5 cm, and remontance; plants are characterized by average resistance to adverse environmental conditions (in particular, to excessive precipitation). Large-flowered petunias can have flowers with a diameter of 10 cm, they are less resistant to rain. They are not repairable.

Cultivation

Petunias are not grown indoors. Plants purchased in a pot or container are planted in flower beds or boxes in April and May. The distance between the plants should be about 30 cm. When transplanting, it is important not to damage the roots, they are very tender. If you add a liquid complex fertilizer with a high potassium content to the irrigation water every 2 weeks, the flowering will be more abundant, and the color of flowers and foliage will be more intense.

Location

Petunias prefer sunny places. If the plant is planted in the shade, intensive leaf growth will begin, and fewer flowers will form.

Temperature

As a rule, petunias do not like too high a temperature and calmly tolerate its lowering to 0 °C. And some of the existing cultural forms tolerate temperatures below 0°C.

Watering

Watering should be regular, but not excessive, especially during the flowering period.

Care

When the corollas fade, they should be removed to avoid the possible spread of fungal diseases.

Reproduction

In February-March, petunia seeds are sown in a protected place, at a temperature not lower than 15 °C, using a very light soil from a mixture of sand and peat in equal parts or ready-made special seed soil for annual plants. Petunia seeds are small, they are sprinkled with the lightest layer of earth or just slightly pressed into the ground. In the latter case, they should often be sprayed with water from a spray bottle. When seedlings appear, they are transplanted into a cellular cassette (a plastic tray consisting of individual cells) or into cups, where they are grown before planting in a permanent place. Also, petunias it can be propagated by cuttings at any time of the year, but preferably in spring. Use soil with a large admixture of sand. For rooting in the room maintain a temperature of 15-20 °C.

Diseases

Petunia is often damaged by aphids that appear on the plant in the spring, and in the summer by mites. Young petunia leaves like to eat snails, which can cause significant damage to plants in the nursery (both at home and in greenhouses), and in a permanent place. Insects are eliminated with appropriate insecticidal preparations. From snails-scattering poisoned baits. Protozoan fungi of the genera Pithium, Sclerotinia and Septoria can cause rotting of both the root neck and leaves, as well as roots. In order to prevent their occurrence, you should avoid excessive storage. irrigation and stagnation of water in the soil. Get rid of them with the help of appropriate fungicides.

Acquisition

Petunias in pots or cellular cassettes are sold in flower shops and gardening centers between the end of March and the end of May. Choose healthy, lush-looking and not too elongated plants.

Ampel petunia Petunia is a perennial plant, but is usually cultivated as an annual, characterized by a long flowering period. Recently, flower growers have been paying more and more attention to ampel petunia. These plants, because of their climbing stems, have an increased decorative effect and are especially suitable for landscaping balconies, terraces and verandas, for creating decorative borders. Hybrid varieties with small flowers (1-2 cm in diameter) are more suitable for forming a cover (carpet) in rock gardens, on rocky hills. The vast majority of ampel varieties are hybrids. Older varieties are of little interest to buyers , as they usually have large flowers that are very sensitive to wet weather (they quickly rot). New hybrids with small flowers are more resistant to weather conditions and have more decorative properties. These petunias grow faster than representatives of other groups and varieties, branch well, and differ in a variety of flower colors in all possible shades of red, white, pink, blue, and purple. An example of this is the plants of the 'Super Cascade Mixed' variety. Plants bloom continuously from late spring to late autumn. Ampel petunia became very popular with the advent of the Surfinia group; it includes hardy, strong, profusely flowering varieties that can be propagated by green cuttings. Soil mixtures with a high sand content are used for propagation. The optimal temperature for root formation is 15-20 °C. The plant is ideal for decorating window sills, plantings in hanging baskets, containers. Hybrid petunias with flowers in pastel and bright colors are the main element of summer compositions in hanging flower baskets and planters. Petunias with hanging stems are planted on the side or along the edge of the container.

Ampel petunia

Petunia is a perennial plant, but is usually cultivated as an annual, characterized by a long flowering period.

Recently, flower growers have been paying more and more attention to ampel petunia. These plants, because of their climbing stems, have an increased decorative effect and are especially suitable for landscaping balconies, terraces and verandas, for creating decorative borders. Hybrid varieties with small flowers (1-2 cm in diameter) are more suitable for forming a cover (carpet) in rock gardens, on rocky hills.

The vast majority of ampel varieties are hybrids. Older varieties are of little interest to buyers , as they usually have large flowers that are very sensitive to wet weather (they quickly rot).

New hybrids with small flowers are more resistant to weather conditions and have more decorative properties. These petunias grow faster than representatives of other groups and varieties, branch well, and differ in a variety of flower colors in all possible shades of red, white, pink, blue, and purple. An example of this is the plants of the 'Super Cascade Mixed' variety.

Plants bloom continuously from late spring to late autumn. Ampel petunia became very popular with the advent of the Surfinia group; it includes hardy, strong, profusely flowering varieties that can be propagated by green cuttings. Soil mixtures with a high sand content are used for propagation. The optimal temperature for root formation is 15-20 °C.

The plant is ideal for decorating window sills, plantings in hanging baskets, containers. Hybrid petunias with flowers in pastel and bright colors are the main element of summer compositions in hanging flower baskets and planters. Petunias with hanging stems are planted on the side or along the edge of the container.