When to plant petunia seedlings in 2022 according to the lunar calendar

Petunia is a favorite flower of most gardeners. In most of Russia, it is grown through seedlings.
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Basically, the process of sowing seeds is carried out in the spring, in March and April, but some gardeners manage to plant seedlings in January and even in December!

Traditionally, when sowing seeds for seedlings, they are guided by the lunar calendar.

In today's article we will look at when to sow petunia seeds for seedlings in 2022.

Basic rules for growing petunias from seedlings

Buy “fresh” seeds for planting; do not plant grains that have been in a box for several years.
Conduct pre-planting preparations. This will speed up seed germination and prevent diseases.
Choose light, loose and nutritious soil. If you are a beginner, do not use garden soil. She's too fat.
Follow the step-by-step algorithm for growing Petunia from seeds.

Brief algorithm for sowing petunia seeds for seedlings

Step 1: Choose a petunia variety and variety that you like and suits your climate.
Step 2. Sort and soak the seeds.
Step 3: Disinfect your planting containers and soil before planting your seeds.
Step 4: Scatter the seeds over the surface of the moistened soil.
Step 5. Wrap the container in film and place it near the battery.
Step 6. After germination, remove the cover.
Step 7. Provide the necessary growing conditions (+23+26, lighting for at least 12 hours).
Step 8. In the phase of 3 true leaves, pick.

How to determine sowing time?

As with any plant, when determining the timing of sowing petunias for seedlings according to the lunar calendar, it is worth assessing two important factors:

The region's climate and specific weather.
Recommendations from experienced gardeners (professionals most often turn to the lunar calendar to choose the best time to plant).

Serious importance should also be given to the variety of petunia. Because of this, the timing of optimal seed sowing may vary significantly.

FOR EXAMPLE, cascade plant varieties are recommended to be planted 2 weeks earlier than is necessary for conventional varieties. It is better to plant dwarf varieties 2 weeks later.

But taking into account all the factors mentioned, the optimal planting time can also be completely different. For example, there are some lovers who manage to observe petunia blooming even in April-May, and this is in the middle zone! But to do this, they plant seedlings in the second half of December or early January.

Choosing planting material

Proper planting of petunia seeds for seedlings begins with the selection of planting material. You can easily prepare the seeds yourself. But for this we need to go back to last summer. If you haven't done this beforehand, don't worry. The rest of the page tells you how to prepare seeds from your own plants next summer.

In the meantime, we're going to the flower shop. Write down in advance the groups of petunias you want to plant, the colors of the buds, the shape of the flower (simple or double). It will be easier to decide with a list. After all, up to 500 different varieties of flowers can be on sale at the same time.

Petunia seeds can be simple or granular. They are very small, so manufacturers produce especially valuable varieties, such as ampelous petunia, in the form of dragees or granules. Each seed is tested for germination and is wrapped in a layer of nutrients that protect it from drying out during storage. When sowing, you need to make sure that the shell is completely dissolved, otherwise the seed will not wake up and begin to germinate.

Try to choose seeds that were collected last year. Gradually they lose their viability. The maximum shelf life is 3 years.

When to sow petunia for seedlings in 2022 according to the lunar calendar?

For petunia, it is advisable to maintain the timing of planting seedlings or subsequent transplantation into open ground so that the waxing moon is observed.

It has been NOTICED that during the growing moon, plant juices are directed upward from the roots, thereby forming the green mass, flower ovaries, and branching of the petunia bush most intensively. At this time, it is also recommended to carry out all types of fertilizing.

The best months for planting petunia seedlings are: November, December, January, February, March and April.

Among other things, it is advisable to guess with successful dates for planting. They change slightly from year to year, but each month has its own.

The best conditions for petunia growth

Petunia is not considered a capricious flower. The very fact that gardeners notice seedlings in places where they were kept last year confirms this 100%. But the ability of this plant to survive in extreme conditions does not mean that it is not necessary to care for it. On the contrary, without proper attention, petunias will never please their owners with lush flowering.

Optimal growing conditions are shown in the table below:

Peculiarities	Description
air and soil temperature	shoots: 23 – 25℃, then 20℃
place	sunny, sheltered from the wind
the soil	fertile, non-acidic
watering	moderate, to the root
feeding	starting from the formation of 3-4 leaves, nitrogen-containing complexes
daylight hours	14 hours
picking	at the stage of development 3-4 leaves
transplantation into open ground	allowed during flowering
distance between plants	15-20 cm for multi-flowered varieties and 20-25 for large-flowered varieties
deadlines	from sowing to flowering – 2.5-3 months, depending on the variety and conditions of detention

Of course, these tables are very conditional. And slight deviations will not affect the growth and development of flowers.

However, cardinal discrepancies should not be allowed. After all, every plant is a living creature that requires certain conditions for its comfort. And a gardener who neglects the preferences of his green pet risks being left without the coveted flowers, being content with only decorative “grass.” Because for each flower, the period of budding and flowering is the most difficult phase of life, which the plant can miss if it does not have a sufficient supply of nutrients or is in an aggressive environment.

Sowing petunia seeds depending on the lunar phases

There are several phases of the moon that can affect the cultivation of petunia seedlings. In gardening, each of them greatly influences the processes occurring in plants. Therefore, gardeners during the moon phases recommend performing strictly defined maintenance work, and in some of them, reducing care to a minimum.

Moon phases

Let's look at this in more detail:

The New Moon phase affects plants in that many processes slow down or completely go into a dormant state. The juices of the plant rush down into the root system, which almost stops the growth of the above-ground part. At this time, it is not recommended to perform any actions with petunia.
The “Waxing Moon” phase is characterized by the direction of plant forces to increase green mass. At this time, it is very important to feed the petunias well, water them intensively and replant them.
The “Full Moon” phase is the time when plants actively store moisture for further normal development. During this phase, it is not recommended to carry out any actions, especially planting.
The Waning Moon phase once again directs sap to the root system. At the same time, the roots are actively developing, occupying an increasing area underground. This means it’s time to feed the petunias and water them again. Nothing else is recommended.

These rules apply not only to petunia, but also to most other garden crops.

How to collect your petunia seeds?

You can collect your petunia seeds during the summer, when the buds wither and fall off. For lush flowering, it is recommended to pick off the fading buds along with the seed capsule. But, if you like the variety, you can save a few seed pods and wait until they begin to dry out.

They will change color to light gray or slightly brown. At this time, the seed pods should be collected and placed in a paper bag on a sunny windowsill. After full ripening, the boxes will open on their own and the seeds will fall out. It is better to store them on the refrigerator door. This way stratification will take place, which will increase germination.

They say that you can only get seeds from varieties yourself. Hybrids supposedly do not retain the properties of the mother plant. From my experience I want to say that this is not true. And the seeds from hybrids produce excellent seedlings and retain all the qualities of the mother bushes. So, don't be afraid, experiment, collect and sow your petunia seeds in 2021. Good luck!

And finally, watch the video, which shows the entire process of sowing petunia seeds for growing seedlings at home:

And in the form below you can tell about your experience of growing petunias both from seeds and from purchased seedlings. What were your mistakes and mistakes, what secrets can you share?

Favorable days for sowing petunia in 2022, depending on the month

Of course, the timing for sowing petunia seedlings from region to region in Russia may differ significantly. However, over a larger area, the most optimal period of work can be identified: it lasts from January to April.

Moreover, the more experienced the gardener, the earlier he plants petunia. This is done so that, for example, in the middle zone, flowering can be observed at the end of spring. However, more work is expected with early seedlings: they will not have enough sun (artificial supplementary lighting will be required), fragile shoots will be more susceptible to temperature changes and irregular watering. It is not easy to fine-tune the process of growing early petunia, so you need good experience behind you.

First shoots

REMINDER: when adjusting to a favorable date according to the lunar calendar, do not forget that the petunia seeds must first be prepared: washed, disinfected, soaked. Usually all these procedures are carried out a day before planting.

In January

January 6, 7, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 .

In February – 1, 2, 16
In March – 1, 2, 3, 18
In April – 1, 2, 16, 29, 30
In May – 16, 29, 30, 31
In June – 14, 28, 29, 30

In February

In February 2022, favorable numbers for sowing are: February 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 .

In March

March is the most often chosen month to plant petunia seedlings. For example, in the middle zone there will already be enough daylight, and caring for the flower itself is simple and does not take much time.

Favorable days in the lunar calendar for 2022 for planting: March 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 .

Petunia planted in March will begin to bloom around June.

In April

Finally, in the northern regions it is better to plant petunia later, at the beginning or middle of the month, and sometimes even, if necessary, shift the timing to May.

For April, according to the lunar calendar, favorable days for sowing are suitable: 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 26, 27 .

In this case, a single flowering of the plant will begin at the end of June, and massive flowers will decorate the bushes by mid-July.

In May

In the last spring month, favorable days for sowing petunia for seedlings fell on the following dates: May 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 24 .

Large-flowered petunia (grandiflora)

The most common group of hybrids, which includes hundreds of varieties, is the large-flowered petunia (grandiflora). Such plants have very large and showy flowers, but there are much fewer of them than on small-flowered bushes. This group has one drawback: wind and rain can damage the flowers, which, as a result, lose their attractiveness.

In this regard, large-flowered petunia is usually used for growing in containers or pots indoors, on a terrace or balcony. This group is divided into subgroups:

large-flowered - the bush reaches a height of about 0.6 m, smooth flowers have a diameter of 8 to 10 centimeters;
large-flowered low - bush height from 0.25 to 0.3 m, other characteristics are similar to the previous subgroup;
large-flowered fringed low and large-flowered fringed - the bushes reach a height of 0.25–0.3 m and 0.65–0.7 m, respectively, the flowers are fringed, their diameter is about 12 centimeters;
large-flowered superb low and large-flowered superb - the height of the bushes is 0.3–0.4 m and 0.5–0.75 m, respectively, the smooth flowers have a wide throat, their diameter is about 10–12 centimeters, there are veins of a darker color on the surface compared to the main background;
large-flowered double - bush height is from 0.5 to 0.6 m, large double flowers reach from 10 to 12 centimeters in diameter, their edges are fringed or smooth.

Hit parade

These hybrids are fast-flowering. The height of the bush is about 0.25 m. The flowers can be painted in a variety of colors, for example: crimson, blue with a white star, violet-blue, pink, white, salmon, etc.

Picoti

This series includes 4 hybrids, which differ in that they have highly corrugated edges of the petals, which are surrounded by a white border, reaching a width of 15 mm. The bush reaches a height of 0.25 m. The flowers are purple, violet-blue, red, pink and crimson.

Purple pirouette

This terry hybrid is purple-violet in color, with a white border running along the fringed edge of the corrugated petals. The bush reaches a height of 0.25 m.

Unlucky days when you should not sow

Unfavorable days in the lunar calendar for 2022 include:

In January - 1, 2, 3, 18
In February – 1, 2, 16
In March – 1, 2, 3, 18
In April – 1, 2, 16, 29, 30
In May – 16, 29, 30, 31

Experienced gardeners prefer to refuse not only from planting certain crops on these dates, but even to minimize all related work to care for them: picking, replanting, loosening, hilling, fertilizing.

Landing depending on time of day

In the case of petunia, and indeed all seedlings, you need to adhere to the rule that bright sun will definitely harm fragile seedlings. In the case of seedling growth, it is clear that in greenhouse conditions the rays of the sun are unlikely to have a strong effect. But in the open ground, petunia will already experience stress after transplantation, and may even get leaf burns.

Planting in open ground

Therefore, to plant in a permanent place for work, choose:

early morning;
evening, sunset;
cloudy weather.

Is it worth sowing in January-February?

The answer is yes, but with its own characteristics. In particular, you already need to have sufficient dexterity to grow strong, healthy petunia bushes.

For example, in the temperate zone during this period there is still not enough natural light. Conclusion: additional illumination with fluorescent lamps will be necessary, until at least the beginning of March.

Secondly, it is quite difficult to maintain a watering balance. Some people manage to over-moisten the soil and, naturally, cause disease. For others, it is not possible to provide correct, proper watering, thereby increasing the growth period of seedlings.

Otherwise, many amateur gardeners, on the contrary, plant petunia early, almost at the end of December. All in order to observe bright flowering flower beds in your garden or in front of your house in the spring.

Petunia in front of the house

When to sow in May?

Of course, for the south and middle zone, May is a rather late time for planting petunia seedlings.

However, in the regions north of Moscow, the Leningrad region, Karelia, the Urals and Siberia, much depends on the weather. As a rule, the optimal time for growing seedlings there is in April. But in particularly severe winters and the arrival of late spring, seedlings have to be started in May.

There is nothing wrong with this, since the first flowers can be seen after 1.5-2 months. This means that it will be possible to catch flowering in the open ground, because it will occur in the middle and end of summer.

Care

Petunia loves care and in return pleases the eye with its abundant flowering. After making the first pick of the seedlings and when the first leaves appear, the plant must be fed. For this use:

For petunia to grow well, it needs nitrogen;
For laying buds - phosphorus and potassium.
Foliar feeding is carried out with fertilizers containing microelements;
Petunias need iron to look beautiful;
The plant also loves potassium monophosphate.

Mullein, previously infused, is also used for fertilizer. The plant has unpretentious watering requirements, is drought-resistant, can tolerate high humidity for a long time, and stops flowering in case of heavy rainfall. Resistant to cold weather, fertilize every 20 days. With proper care, the plant does not get sick, so it is advisable not to overdo it with watering and fertilizing. The plant needs to be weeded periodically, so the plant is cleared of weeds and gets access to air. In case of inclement weather, pots and flowerpots are brought indoors so that the plants are not damaged.

In order for the plant to be healthy, it is necessary to periodically check it. Review for pests and diseases. Spray the entire plant from below and above with special substances, and separate damaged and faded flowers.

When to plant depending on the region?

The most important factor to determine is the existing climate and weather. But, definitely, each region of our country develops its own traditions for planting garden plants. Petunia is no exception to the rule.

In Moscow and Moscow region

It is typical for Moscow and the Moscow region to plant petunia seedlings in April or early May. This is what most gardeners do. Transplantation to open ground is carried out in May, but closer to summer.

Experienced gardeners also resort to growing early seedlings. Then the seeds are sown in early March.

In central Russia

The remaining regions of the temperate zone differ in time frames similar to Moscow. But since the middle zone spreads quite widely, the dates also vary.

For example, in the Voronezh and Rostov regions, the optimal time for planting seedlings is the end of March or the beginning of April.

In the Black Earth Region and a little north of Moscow, seedlings are usually planted no earlier than April and until May.

Again, it is permissible to grow early petunias, since the climate allows replanting in open ground already in early May.

In the Urals

In the Ural region, much depends on changeable weather. The main thing is to calculate the timing in such a way that before transplanting into open ground, repeated (return) spring frosts have already occurred, and the weather has finally turned towards summer.

In this regard, in this part of the Russian Federation, seedlings are rarely, but also planted in April. However, in most situations it is not advisable to deal with this issue before April.

In Siberia

Approximately the same rule as for the Urals applies to Siberia. But the Siberian region is very large. If we talk about the northern regions with a sharply continental climate and Arctic influence, then it is better to wait for stable positive weather, that is, around May or even June.

In the southern regions, you can plant petunia seeds for seedlings in April or even March. And transplant plants to open ground closer to summer or in June. But, again, it all depends on the weather conditions of a particular year.

The soil is the head of everything

When it comes to sowing petunia seeds for seedlings, the soil is everything. Not only do you need to strictly observe the sowing time and the holding time in a warm place, you need to be able to properly prepare the land.

Of course, it is best to stock up on your own soil. To do this, in the fall it was necessary to prepare turf and leaf soil, humus, compost and river sand. It is enough to mix all these components in equal proportions and add mineral complexes for flowering plants.

If you don’t have your own soil, then you should go to the store and choose the most crumbly and structured soil. Also buy vermiculite and agroperlite. These soil improvers must be added in order to ensure sufficient air permeability of the soil.

Before sowing, purchased and your own soil must be calcined in the oven and spilled with a solution of “Fitosporin” or potassium permanganate. After the ground has cooled, planting can begin. The right time for this is morning or noon on “women’s” days of the week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).

How to choose the time for sowing in open ground?

As a rule, gardeners with planting dates in open ground are guided in this way: they set the desired date when they want to plan flower beds outside, and only then, based on this, plant seedlings.

Growing in open ground

What is characteristic of petunia? Under normal conditions, seedlings produce their first shoots no later than 2 weeks after planting. It will take about 2 more months for the plants to produce their first buds. After this, the seedlings can be transferred to a permanent place, but the main thing is that they will already be blooming (not yet en masse, but still).

Thus, petunia seedlings are sown approximately 90 days before transplanting outside.

As we have already said, the timing may vary significantly not only because of the climate, but also the preferences of the gardener himself. But most transplant petunia into open ground:

In cold areas - the very end of May and June.
In the middle zone and temperate zone - May.
In the south - throughout April.

In all cases, if a significant cooling is observed after replanting, then young, fragile shoots definitely need to be covered, for example, with film.

What flowers can be planted next to?

Petunia, being an ideal flower for creating a variety of compositions, has long and irrevocably won the love of gardeners. It looks beautiful in mono plantings, but also looks great and gets along well with most garden flowers, both perennial and annual.

Petunia blooms for 3–4 months, so when combined with other long-flowering plants, you can easily create beautiful, expressive flowerpots and spectacular flower beds, allowing you to admire picturesque compositions all summer long. You can combine bush hanging and cascading varieties.

Of the plants that are similar in terms of flowering time, those that are best combined with petunia are those loved by gardeners: begonia, pelargonium, viola, verbena, ageratum, marigolds, levy, snapdragons, calendula. But no less interesting compositions can be created by combining petunia with such infrequently found plants as bidens, lobelia, allisum, bacopa.

Petunia also looks great with bulbous plants blooming in May and June: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths.

The beauty of petunia flowers is perfectly emphasized by plants of unusual colors with decorative leaf shapes: silver cineraria, variegated coleus, fern, hosta, striped chlorophytum.

Cineraria hybrid

Ornamental grasses look unusual and impressive with petunia: pennisetum, millet pogonaterum, sedge, and ovate lagurus.

Petunia is a rare flower that grows beautifully with a variety of neighbors without oppressing them or suffering itself. Design options for flowerpots and flower beds are limited only by the imagination of the owners of country houses and plots.

Sowing time depending on the variety of petunia

When you want to see blooming petunia already in May, the seeds are planted in January. Of course, in this case additional lighting will be required. Moreover, at first you will have to turn on the lamps almost 24 hours a day. Only closer to March will the plant receive 10-12 hours of light per day.

Different varieties also require different approaches:

Ampelous, cascading varieties are usually planted 2 weeks earlier than regular petunia varieties.
Terry, dwarf, and small-flowered varieties usually grow faster than ordinary varieties, so they are planted 1-2 weeks later than standard dates.

ADVICE : For the Leningrad region, the Ural and Siberian regions, you need to buy early and medium varieties of petunias.

But it is important to remember that January and February petunias will be ready to be moved to a permanent location in early to mid-May, and sometimes earlier if weather conditions are suitable. The optimal weather for the plant these days is observed only in the south and partly in the middle zone. The remaining regions are usually not warmed up enough by this time. Therefore, the sowing time will need to be shifted by 2-3 weeks. That is, start seedlings in March and sometimes April.

Features of sowing seeds

Sowing different varieties
There are some features of working with petunia seeds (although they are, for the most part, quite standard):

Ampelous, cascading and hybrid varieties are well suited for pots and indoor growing. But for flower beds, bush species are more often planted - they bloom more profusely.
Because of their small size, most petunia seeds are plated to make them easier to handle. But this will require high levels of humidity in the first days after sowing. Otherwise, the seed coat may not dissolve and seedlings will appear very late.
Not only seeds can be treated with disinfecting solutions (standardly soaked in potassium permanganate 2-3 hours before work), but also containers.
For planting petunias, both shallow, wide containers and individual cups with nutritious soil are suitable.
The container should have a drainage layer (no more than 1 cm) and 2-3 cm of soil. The seeds are mixed with sand and simply poured onto the surface of the soil without sprinkling. Some gardeners, when planting, advise laying a thin layer of snow on top. Then you don’t need to water the seedlings at all at first.
Afterwards, the container is left in the light and at a temperature of about 25°C. First, the top of the crops is covered with glass or oilcloth, and after pecking, the covering material is removed for 20-30 minutes a day, with a gradual increase in ventilation time.

After pecking the seeds, it takes about 90 days to grow full-fledged seedlings ready for transplanting outside.

Landing rules and technology

Petunia, like every cultivated plant, has its own planting technology. It is not at all complicated and is practically no different from similar algorithms developed for other flowering annuals.

Seed planting technology

To properly plant seeds in exhaust gas, you need to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

Immediately before sowing, petunia seeds are treated with a disinfectant (any fungicide or a regular solution of potassium permanganate).
If you wish, you can peck the seeds yourself. To do this, they use a variety of methods - from keeping the planting material in the freezer to a second immersion in boiling water and cold water alternately. There are many ways to awaken seeds. But many gardeners skip this procedure, sowing dry seeds in a solid shell.
Next comes the actual landing. The soil is thoroughly loosened and moistened by spraying. Planting material is distributed over its entire surface.
An important point is that petunia seeds are not deepened, but only sprinkled with a thin layer of soil on top.
The crops are covered with film and secured with staples.
If planting is carried out in the cold season (petunias for seedlings), additional lighting will be required.

Crops are watered by spraying the soil 2 times a day: morning and evening. It is advisable to do this at the same time, for example, at 7 o'clock. The film is removed after germination.

Basic landing rules

There are general rules for planting petunias:

It is recommended to plant hanging varieties in hanging flowerpots, while bush varieties should be planted in flower beds.
Lovers of assorted colors should remember that not all varieties of this plant love moisture equally. Some petunias prefer abundant moisture, others prefer only moderate watering.
Due to the fact that the seeds of this plant are very small, it is better to mix them with sand before sowing. This simple trick will ensure uniform seedlings, saving the flowerbed from too thick or, conversely, “bald” areas.
The soil must be loose.
It is better to moisten the soil by spraying to prevent accidental washing of seeds.
Sowing is done in calm, windless weather, ideally on cloudy days.
The best time for planting is morning or evening, when the sun does not burn the soil too much.

Compliance with all the above recommendations will allow you to grow healthy and strong plants, which will certainly delight you with lush flowering in due time.

Caring for petunia seedlings after emergence

There are certain tips for caring for petunia seedlings after emergence:

Humidity should be high and maintained at the same level until transplanting into open ground.
In the first 2-3 weeks, when petunia is growing most actively, the seedlings need to be illuminated for more than 20 hours a day. Later, 10-12 hours will be enough.
For irrigation you need settled water without chlorine and other impurities. You need to water the seedlings at the roots, without getting on the foliage.
The first few months of petunia grow weakly, mainly forming the root system. At this time, you can remove weak shoots, thus thinning out all the seedlings.
The first fertilizing is needed a week after germination (Previkur will do, according to the instructions). In general, petunia needs to be fed frequently, up to 3 times a week. Foliar and root feeding should be alternated. Most often they choose Previkur, Kristalon, Uniflor-micro, Mortar, Aquarin, etc.
When the seedlings grow to the level of the film, it is removed for good, and the temperature is maintained at +17-20 degrees Celsius.
Picking is needed only after 3 pairs of true leaves appear.
If you want to grow lush bushes, pinching will be required (the upper shoot is directed downwards).

Picking into egg cartons

Diseases and pests

It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it. You can protect petunia from fungal diseases by thinning. Plants will remain healthy if they have access to sunlight and good ventilation. An overdose of nitrogenous fertilizers should not be allowed. Excess nitrogen in the soil promotes the development of fungus.

Before planting seedlings, the soil in the flower bed is spilled with a solution of Fundazol. If suddenly symptoms of a disease are discovered on one of the plants, the bush is dug up and burned. The top layer of soil under the diseased plant is also removed. The remaining flowers are sprayed with fungicides (Skor, Topaz).

To prevent attacks by harmful insects, petunia can be sprayed from time to time with garlic infusion (30 g of crushed cloves per 1 liter of water, leave for 24 hours) or mustard infusion (1 tablespoon of dry mustard per 5 liters of water, leave for 4-5 hours). When buds and leaves are damaged by pests, insecticides are used.

Interesting Facts

The name "petunia" comes from the Portuguese "petun", which literally translates as "tobacco".
The plant's closest relatives are potatoes and tomatoes.
An asteroid spotted in 1921 was named after petunia.
Scientists conducted experiments and noticed that the aroma of the petunia flower increases human performance.
In southern countries, petunias are used to weave garlands that decorate arches and balconies. All thanks to the long flowering of the plant and rapid growth.

Petunia floribunda

In addition to these most popular groups of petunias, petunia floribunda is also quite in demand. It occupies an intermediate position between these groups.

The flowers of this group are practically not afraid of rain, almost in the same way as the flowers of petunia multiflorum. However, in order for such plants to look very beautiful, they must be grown en masse; for this they are planted in large flower beds.

Sonia

This series is very popular among gardeners; it includes 11 hybrids. The bushes reach a height of 0.25 m. The flowers can be colored crimson, burgundy-crimson with a whitish star, white, pale purple with violet veins, pink, pink-raspberry with a whitish star, red with a whitish border, red, etc. .

Celebrity

This variety series includes hybrids that are resistant to heat and rain. This variety series has thirteen different colors; the flowers are two-color, single-color or tri-color.

Answers to frequently asked questions

When growing petunia, gardeners often encounter certain problems. Let's take a look at the most common of them.

What soil should I buy for growing seedlings?

Petunias need nutritious, moisture-absorbing, loose soil. It should be neutral or slightly acidic. Store-bought universal mixtures will do. You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing perlite, garden soil and peat in a 1:1:2 ratio.

How can you stimulate seeds for further growth?

The first month or a little less, petunia actively forms the root system, which is why the seedlings grow slowly. This must be accepted as a fact.

In the future, to enhance growth, a classic of the genre will be suitable: Fitospirin-M. You can also give preference to the drugs: HB-101 or Energen.

Why don't the seeds germinate?

The most important thing for seeds of most varieties of petunias is high humidity. In second place is a large amount of light (at first, up to round-the-clock illumination of seedlings).

Why are seeds soaked?

For all seeds, soaking is a process that awakens dormant sprouts. In the case of petunia, this process is especially necessary, since some varieties are additionally panned (the seeds are separated from each other and enveloped in a special protective film of peat and adhesives). If the humidity is not enough, the sprouts will not be able to hatch.

How to harden seedlings?

Immediately after the first shoots appear, petunia should be opened for 20-30 minutes a day. Gradually, the ventilation time is increased, and when the seedlings grow to the level of the covering material, it is completely removed.

Closer to transplanting into open ground, seedlings must be taken outside. First for 30 minutes - 1 hour. Just before planting, you can leave the plants in their pots overnight.

What to do if petunia seedlings do not grow?

First of all, increase the humidity. Secondly, organize additional illumination of the seedlings.

You can use growth stimulants (Fitospirin-M, for example).

FAQ

Which petunia seeds are best to buy? When choosing petunia seeds, be sure to pay attention to the timing indicated on the package.
Some plants germinate well even from expired seeds, but this does not apply to petunias: sometimes even fresh seeds of this plant do not germinate. Buy planting material from producers with a good reputation. If you do not have experience in purchasing seeds, seek advice from those who have been growing petunias for several years.

The seeds of this flower crop are very small, and it is not recommended to sow them densely.
To make it easier for flower growers to sow, some companies produce pelleted seeds, that is, covered with a shell that contains substances necessary for the development of the sprout. However, the problem is that this coating does not dissolve well, and you may wait in vain for the expensive seeds to sprout. In order for the pelleted seeds to germinate, it is better to crush the shells before sowing. What to do to prevent petunia seedlings from stretching?
Most likely, your seedlings are not getting enough light or are planted too densely. In the first case, if the seedlings have just begun to stretch, you need to provide them with additional artificial lighting as soon as possible, which should work for at least 14 hours a day.

Densely sprouted seedlings should be pruned by pinching the main stem during transplantation. If you discover the problem at an early stage, you can simply add soil to the container and fertilize it.

You are unlikely to be able to correct the situation when the seedlings have already become very elongated.
But try to create conditions for the seedlings so that they do not have to fight each other for light, air and food, and then petunia will develop evenly and correctly. How to grow petunia on toilet paper?
Cut off one side of a colorless plastic bottle without separating the bottom and neck, place the container on the remaining side, place several layers of toilet paper in it and moisten it with a spray bottle with warm water so that it gets wet but does not spread. Using a damp toothpick, pick up the seeds prepared for sowing and place them on the paper at the required distance from each other. Press the seeds firmly onto the paper, place a transparent plastic bag over the bottle and tie it tightly.

As soon as the shoots appear, the bag should be removed and the bottle should be moved under an artificial light source, which should work around the clock for the first three days.
In the future, seedlings will need only 14 hours of light per day for normal development. When the seedlings form two true leaves, transplant them into the ground, pinching off the central root. It is better to keep the picked seedlings under film for the first time so that they take root faster. Is it necessary to pick petunia?
Picking petunia seedlings is carried out in order to provide the growing seedlings with the necessary nutrition area and good lighting, since when sowing in a common container, the small seeds of this flower crop are difficult to distribute at a sufficient distance from each other. Pinching the central root when picking strengthens the seedlings and provides higher resistance to diseases and other adverse factors.

Picking can be avoided if you grow petunia seedlings in peat tablets.
When the seedlings grow up, you can place the tablets with seedlings in separate cups, adding a little soil to them. If you grow seedlings in small volumes, then using peat tablets is advisable. But when growing a large number of seedlings, when you have to use large containers, the developing seedlings will have to be picked. Petunia seedlings began to turn pale - what to do?
Pale leaves are a sign of impaired chlorophyll production by plants. This happens for several reasons, but primarily due to a lack of one or another element in the soil, and most often iron. In this case, you need to treat the seedlings with an iron-containing preparation in chelated form, for example, Ferovit.

Petunia leaves can also lose their brightness because they are exposed to light around the clock. For seedlings of this crop, a 14-hour daylight period is sufficient; the rest of the time, the seedlings must rest.

Crowding also negatively affects the condition of the seedlings: pale leaves can be caused by insufficient development of the root system. Divide the seedlings into separate containers, and after a while you will see how they get stronger and restore the color of the leaves.

Do not forget to regularly feed and water the seedlings.
Regular pinching of shoots also has a beneficial effect on the health and appearance of seedlings. Is it possible to sow petunia directly into a flower garden?
You can try to grow petunia by sowing it in open ground, but the tiny seedlings will be very difficult to protect from rain, wind, hail and temperature changes.
Weak plants will suffer either from drought or from waterlogging. There may also be a problem with pinching shoots. In addition, tiny petunia seeds are difficult to sow with proper spacing, and you will have to thin out the seedlings. Most of the uprooted seedlings will die, and this is an overspending. Therefore, it is more advisable to grow petunia seedlings at home, and then transplant the seedlings into a flower garden or balcony container. How to slow down the too rapid growth of petunia seedlings?
If you are afraid that the seedlings will have time to grow before the soil in the flower garden warms up, move the seedlings to a cool room - a greenhouse or a glassed-in loggia, where the daytime temperature does not exceed 15 ⁰C.

If you do not have this opportunity, treat the seedlings with one of the growth regulators that can be purchased in the store. These drugs will slow down the too rapid development of internodes and will not allow the seedlings to stretch out. In addition, regulators strengthen the root system, increase the decorative value of flower crops and prolong the flowering period.

If you sow petunia in a common container, the seedlings may stretch out due to the fact that they have to fight with each other for light.
Plant the elongated seedlings in separate cups, pinching the central root: the plants will receive the necessary nutritional area and equal access to light. Petunia seeds do not germinate for three weeks - why?
High-quality petunia seeds germinate within a week.
If after 10 days of waiting the seedlings have not appeared, it means that you got low-quality seeds or you planted them too deep when sowing. Dried seeds may not sprout because the dense shell does not allow them to break through. Even if you wait 2-3 weeks for germination, the seedlings will grow weak, sickly and their flowering will be poor. Therefore, do not waste your time waiting for seedlings, it is better to reseed the petunia. The emerging seedlings grow very slowly - why?
This is normal for petunia seedlings: the shoots that emerge from the ground seem to freeze. The fact is that at this time all the efforts of the seedlings are aimed at developing the root system. Therefore, do not panic: take care of the seedlings as usual, and in two weeks the ground organs of the seedlings will begin to develop. There is no need to feed the seedlings at this time.

Growth of older seedlings may be slowed if the room is too cold. The normal temperature for the development of petunia is 20 ⁰C. At 15 ⁰C and lower temperatures, seedling growth stops and they may die. It is also necessary to monitor the difference between day and night temperatures: it should not exceed 10 ⁰C.

Often the growth of seedlings slows down after picking.
In order for the seedlings to recover after this procedure and begin to grow, feed them with fertilizers that strengthen the root system. How to grow petunia seedlings without picking?
Picking hardens and strengthens petunia seedlings, but if you do not have experience in carrying out this procedure and you are afraid of damaging the seedlings, sow not in a common container, but in separate cups with drain holes in the bottom. Then you won’t have to pick the seedlings. To create a greenhouse effect that accelerates the emergence of seedlings, cover the cups with film.

You can grow petunia in peat tablets.
In this case, picking seedlings is also not required. When the seedlings grow, place each tablet in a glass and add a little soil to it. Why pinch petunias and how often should you do it?
Pinching is the removal of the growing point at the top of the seedling, stimulating the development of side shoots and the formation of a compact, abundantly flowering bush. The stems that have undergone the procedure become denser and stronger, and large leaves of a rich green color grow on them.

However, pinching overgrown seedlings will not give such an effect, so there is no need to delay the procedure. The stems are pinched for the first time when 6-7 leaves have formed on the seedling: the top is pinched, leaving no more than 4-5 leaves on the stem. The next pinching is carried out when the stem reaches a length of 12-15 cm, and then the decorative appearance of the plant is maintained by pinching off excessively long shoots. Do not forget to feed the petunia after each procedure with complex mineral fertilizer. It is best to combine fertilizing with watering: add a little fertilizer to the irrigation water once a week.

A poorly rooted or weak plant should not be pinched.
Why do my petunia have purple leaves?
Most often, this happens if the room is not warm enough: in cold soil, the roots stop absorbing nutrients, and the plants suffer from a lack of phosphorus or nitrogen.

Sometimes plants produce the pigment anthocyanin in response to stress. Analyze whether you are properly caring for the seedlings and whether the conditions are suitable for them. Remember that petunia seedlings need light for 14 hours a day and rest in the dark the rest of the time.