2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Petunia (lat. Petunia) - flower culture; annual or perennial belonging to the Solanaceae family. Petunia is native to South America. Currently, there are 25 species.
Description
Petunia is represented by herbaceous plants, reaching a height of 70-80 cm, and having erect or creeping stems. The stems bear a whole-edged foliage, pubescent with short hairs, do not have petioles, are arranged alternately. Shoots are rounded, green, pubescent. The root system is strong and well developed.
Flowers are single, large, simple or double, up to 12 cm in diameter, sit on short pedicels, can be of various colors: white, cream, red, purple, pink and purple. The flowers have a rather delicate and very pleasant aroma. The calyx is five-petal, the petals are fused at the base. Long bloom, runs from June to November. Fruits are capsules that crack at the time of ripening, containing many seeds. Seeds remain viable for 3-4 years.
Growing conditions
Petunia is a light-loving plant, develops well and blooms profusely in sunny areas, protected from north and east winds. Soils for growing crops are preferable loose, moderately moist, loamy or sandy loamy with a neutral pH reaction and deep groundwater. The culture has a negative attitude to the excess of nitrogen fertilizers and manure in the soil. The optimum temperature is 20-25 C.
Growing seedlings and planting in open ground
In many regions of the Russian Federation, the culture is grown in seedlings. Sowing is carried out in the third decade of March in special seedling containers. Before sowing the seeds, they are pickled with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. The seeds should not be embedded in the soil, since they are too small. It is necessary to evenly distribute the seeds over the surface of the soil, on which the layer of snow has been laid. When the snow begins to melt, the seeds will be sucked into the soil. The crops are covered with glass or plastic wrap and placed in a room with a temperature of 20-22C.
Crops are periodically watered with a spray bottle. It is important to monitor the degree of soil moisture, it should not dry out. A couple of times every 7-10 days, the emerging seedlings are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate as a prophylaxis against the defeat of petunia with a black leg. In the phase of three leaves on the seedlings, a dive is performed in separate containers. After 10 -14 days after the dive, complex mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil.
Petunia seedlings are transplanted into the ground in the third decade of May. Before planting, young petunias are hardened. The distance between small-flowered petunias should be, between large-flowered petunias –30 cm. Immediately after planting the seedlings, the aisles are thoroughly loosened and mulch applied.
Care procedures
Petunia is a moisture-loving plant, it needs systematic watering. Additional fertilizing is also required (at least 1 time in 2 weeks), weeding, loosening and removal of faded inflorescences.
Application
Garden culture can serve a wide variety of functions. Ampel crop varieties look great in flowerpots and containers. Petunias grown in pots can be a highlight in balconies, patios and terraces landscaping. Forms with erect stems harmoniously fit into flower beds of various kinds, including flower beds, rockeries and rock gardens. Due to their bright color, abundant and long-term flowering, petunias are indispensable for creating carpet beds. Plants are combined with pelargonium, balsam, lilies, viols, ageratums and other annuals.
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