Petunia planting and maintenance methods

Preparation

The main preparation work includes: searching for seeds, choosing suitable flower pots and soil.

Seed selection

When planting petunias for the first time, you need to buy suitable seeds, but it would be even better if a friend who is an expert in petunias can give us ready-made high-quality seeds. Petunia seeds are very small, so sowing needs to be very careful. It is recommended that you buy seeds of better quality. If you cannot sow all the seeds in one go, you can wrap them in the original packaging + newspaper and store them in the refrigerator for later use.

Flower pots and soil

It is recommended to use a 20CM pot for planting petunias, because petunias have a lot of room for growth in the later stage.

Petunias are not very picky about the soil. It is best to choose loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil. If you don’t want to buy ready-made flower soil from the flower market, you can also try to make your own petunia growing soil.

Method Details

The main steps of raising petunias at home: sowing/raising seedlings - transplanting - planting - maintenance - maintenance during flowering period.

Sowing/seedling raising methods and precautions

You can use the seedling block + the legendary seedling three-piece set to increase the success rate of seedling cultivation! Be sure to use tap water that has been left to stand for 1-2 days to grow seedlings. Do not use freshly drawn tap water directly!

Soak the seedling block in water until it is soaked, and remove excess water;

Plant petunia seeds in the small hole in the middle of the seedling block, cover it and place it in the shade of the balcony, and keep the cover open for ventilation for 1-2 hours every day.

During this period, if the seedling block turns slightly white, add water to allow the seedling block to absorb water, and then remove the excess water;

Wait for about a week for the petunia to sprout, and transfer it to a box where the sprouts have already sprouted, so that the seedlings can see scattered light. Spray water daily to maintain ventilation and coolness, as well as appropriate humidity (do not allow water to accumulate);

Open the lid of the ungerminated seeds every day to ventilate and keep them moist. Seeds that have not germinated after 10 days will basically not germinate again...

The seedlings can be exposed to more light every day during their growth, but direct sunlight should be avoided. There are many benefits to seedlings being exposed to more light: it can prevent the leaves from turning yellow, growing too long, and becoming weak;

Grow, grow, grow little white roots! After about 20-25 days, when the petunia seedlings look stronger and stronger and the roots have grown to the outside of the seedling block, you can proceed to the next step - transplanting!

Methods and precautions for transplanting

Petunia seeds are tiny, seedlings are tiny, and the pots used in the mature stage are very large, so transplanting can greatly increase the survival rate of seedlings! The period of transplanting is mentioned in the first step of sowing/seedling raising: the seedlings grow white roots.

You can use disposable paper cups or small flower pots to transplant petunias;

If using paper cups: drill holes in the bottom of the cups, plant the seedling blocks and soil into the paper cups and water thoroughly;

Keep the seedlings in a well-ventilated place with plenty of sunlight and spray water in the morning and evening to keep them moist (water thoroughly each time);

When the leaves of the petunia seedlings grow to the edge of the cup or pot, and the roots are almost about to emerge from the bottom of the cup, we can proceed to the next step - planting!

Methods and precautions for colonization

Use the right pots and soil, ensure adequate sunlight, and wait for your petunias to thrive!

Use a flowerpot of 20cm or larger to ensure space for the petunia to grow wildly in the middle and late stages;

You can choose to buy suitable flower soil directly from the flower market, or you can make it yourself: 70% garden soil, mixed with a little flower soil, honeycomb coal slag, and perlite;

Take out the petunia seedlings without damaging their roots (just tear the paper cup open) and plant them in the prepared flower pots.

First place the petunia in a cool and ventilated place for 1-2 days, then move it to a well-lit place such as a balcony to receive full sunlight;

After planting, regular fertilization is required, with a cycle of 10-12 days. Foliar fertilizer and flushing fertilizer can be used alternately. Fertilize the petunia scientifically, ensure sufficient water and sunlight, and wait for the petunia to grow quickly!

Maintenance methods and precautions

After planting, with proper care, the petunia seedlings will grow day by day and eventually become beautiful flower balls!

Create perfect flower balls by pruning, topping and pinching petunias;

Nitrogen fertilizer is suitable for early fertilization, and phosphorus fertilizer can be used more in the later stage to make the seedlings grow stronger and bloom better;

When caring for petunias in summer, pay attention to the following: spray more water when the temperature is too high to maintain soil moisture;

In winter, make sure that petunias receive sufficient sunlight (temperature greater than 5°C), as petunias have a certain ability to resist low temperatures;

Things to note when caring for petunias in winter: water less often. It is recommended to water at noon when there is plenty of sunshine. Don't water too much, just let the seedlings and flowers drink enough!

Methods and precautions for flowering management

Petunias usually bloom in early spring in March when the temperature just starts to rise. If the initial flower shape is not good enough, you can cut it off;

When a lot of flower heads appear at once, you can keep them and wait for them to bloom;

Scientific fertilization should also be carried out during the flowering period. It is still recommended to fertilize every 10-12 days.

Petunias must be guaranteed to have sufficient sunlight: sufficient sunlight can greatly improve the quantity and quality of flowering. If there is a lack of sunlight, they are prone to malnutrition - the leaves turn yellow and become soft, and the flowers become dull and small.

Summarize

Petunias like sunlight, like soil with fertilizer, and are afraid of drought. Keep them watered sufficiently without accumulating water, and let them see more sunlight. Only with sunlight can they bloom.

Petunias are as strong as cows and generally do not suffer from diseases, but excessive watering can cause root rot and death. Excessive drought can also cause yellowing leaves, wilting, and even death.

In short, if you follow the above tips on raising petunias compiled by the editor, you will definitely have a bunch of beautiful petunias. Come on!