Petunia sowing time and method

Petunia is not the morning glory we usually call it. Its official name is Petunia, a perennial herb belonging to the genus Petunia of the Solanaceae family. It has many nicknames, such as shuttlecock flower, dwarf trumpet, sweet potato flower, etc. This plant originated in Argentina in South America and is now widely cultivated all over the world. In China, petunias are common ornamental plants in city parks both in the south and the north. As long as the climatic conditions are suitable or cultivated in a greenhouse, petunias can bloom all year round. Let’s learn about the time and method of sowing petunias below.

1. Sowing time

Most seeds germinate best in a temperature range of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Depending on the sowing time, sowing activities in a year are usually divided into two categories: spring sowing and autumn sowing.

Spring sowing is usually scheduled in March or April. The condition for starting sowing during this period is that the minimum temperature in spring should be kept above 15 degrees Celsius and not exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Of course, if you plan to sow in May, this is also completely feasible.

Autumn sowing is usually carried out in September or October, and the best time is after the "autumn tiger" weather subsides, that is, when the maximum temperature drops below 30 degrees Celsius. However, once we enter November, the germination rate of seeds may be affected due to the drop in temperature, so sowing is no longer recommended.

2. Seed treatment method

Petunia seeds are extremely tiny, and sowing each seed manually is a nearly impossible task. According to professional data, 1 gram of petunia seeds contains approximately 10,000 to 12,000 seeds, which is enough to illustrate its tiny size. Therefore, we need to take appropriate treatment measures based on the source of the seeds.

For self-collected seeds, they will usually be attached to the seed pod. Before sowing, we need to open the seed pods, take out the seeds, and remove the seed pod fragments to prevent infection and pests during sowing.

Petunia seeds are usually purchased with a protective coating, which helps to preserve the seeds for a long time and facilitate sowing. Depending on the size of the coating, we can take it directly with our hands or tweezers, or use a wet toothpick or wet bamboo stick to gently dip the seeds, taking a small amount each time for easy sowing.

3. Soil preparation

Although petunia does not have high requirements for soil, choosing loose and breathable soil can increase the germination rate. It is recommended to use peat soil mixed with 1/3 coarse river sand as the sowing medium. Before sowing, the soil should be disinfected to ensure the safety of the seeds.

4. Container selection

Choosing the right container is crucial for sowing petunias. You can use seedling boxes, disposable plastic cups or open plates. The key is to make sure the container provides enough growing space for the seedlings and that they are separated. It is recommended to use disposable paper cups or plastic cups, and seedling pots with water holes. These containers are convenient for later maintenance.

5. Soil moisture control

Using moist soil for potting helps the seeds absorb water while avoiding excessive humidity that can cause the seeds to rot. The ideal soil moisture is that it does not drip when you pinch it in your hand, but feels moist. This can be achieved by watering in advance and controlling the drying time. After sowing, water lightly using a watering can to keep the soil evenly moist and prevent the seeds from washing away. When watering for the first time, you can add carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl to the water for disinfection.

6. Post-management

Once the seeds have leaves, they should be gradually moved to a full-sun environment. But be careful not to expose them directly to strong light to prevent the seedlings from growing too tall. At the same time, since the root system of the seedlings has not yet fully developed, water should be added in time. You can use the dip pot method to ensure there is adequate moisture in the tray. In addition, fertilizer should be applied regularly starting from the time the leaves begin to grow, using diluted compound fertilizer or nitrogen fertilizer to promote growth. At this time, petunia does not have high temperature requirements, as long as it is kept above 15 degrees Celsius.

Note: When the petunia leaves grow to more than three pairs, the root system is basically mature and can be transplanted. Be careful to protect the roots when transplanting, and provide shade for a few days after transplanting to help the plant acclimate to its new environment. Once the plant has resumed growth, it can be cared for normally.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time and method of petunias. You can choose and consider according to the specific planting situation, and don’t proceed blindly.