Petunia masterclass: finest professional content material

This climbing petunia has been educated up an obelisk to create a spectacular point of interest
Picture: T&M

Right here you’ll discover the perfect professional content material on elevating petunia seeds or rising petunia plug vegetation. We’ve scoured the net to carry you insights from the specialists who know petunias finest – the skilled, green-fingered backyard bloggers who like to develop them. Right here’s a wealth of knowledge and recommendation that will help you efficiently develop your individual excellent petunias.

This text was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural workforce and up to date on 22 February 2024.

Sow petunia seeds in March for wonderful summer time bedding

These distinctive double flowered petunias are simple to develop from seed
Picture: Petunia grandiflora ‘Double Cascade Burgundy Plum Vein’ F1 Hybrid from Thompson & Morgan

It’s not true that Petunias are troublesome to develop from seed, say the professional horticulturalists right here at Thompson & Morgan’s weblog. Actually, like all seed, they only want the best situations through which to thrive, and timing is vital to success. If you happen to’re trying to develop wonderful Petunias from seed to make use of as bedding vegetation or for containers and hanging baskets, simply make sure you sow 12 weeks earlier than you anticipate the final of the winter frosts to have handed – sowing indoors in March for June planting out is a secure guess.

Combine tiny petunia seeds with sand for simple sowing

Sprinkle the tiny seeds as thinly as you possibly can
Picture: In the backyard with Eli and Kate

Don’t be postpone rising petunias from seed says Eli at In the backyard with Eli and Kate. She explains that the most important downside is the very tiny seeds which will be troublesome to deal with, however that needn’t cease you. Take a look at Eli’s weblog publish and YouTube video for well-presented, clear recommendation on rising petunias this fashion. One technique for dealing with tiny seeds, Eli explains, is to combine them with somewhat pale sand – that approach, if you sprinkle them over your compost, you possibly can see the place you’ve been, guaranteeing even protection.

Use a modular seed tray to develop in your seedlings

Pot your seedlings on after about 30 days when every one has 4-5 leaves
Picture: Gardening For Learners

If you happen to don’t normally develop your petunias from seed and also you’re on the lookout for just a few sensible ideas, Ray’s video at Gardening For Learners is the place to begin. From sowing the tiny seeds to seeing them flowering within the hanging basket, this begin to end information to rising petunias from seed tells you every thing it is advisable know. Ray sows his petunia seeds into drills earlier than masking the tray with clear plastic and leaving in a heat place to germinate. About 30 days later, the seedlings ought to have 4-5 leaves and be able to pot out.

Give your petunias loads of sunshine

New kinds of petunia, like ‘Mystical Midnight Gold’, are being launched on a regular basis
Picture: Petunia ‘Mystical Midnight Gold’ from Thompson & Morgan

“The key of excellent petunias is loads of sturdy gentle,” says Tejvan at Gardeners Suggestions. Initially from South America, “petunias are from the household Solanaceae that features tobacco, cape gooseberries, tomatoes, lethal nightshades, potatoes and chilli peppers.” If you happen to’re new to rising petunias and would love a succinct rundown of the completely different varieties and tips on how to develop them, that is the place for you. On the lookout for a dependable Petunia? Tejvan recommends giving ‘Surfinia’ a attempt.

Select a multiflora petunia for resilient blooms

Multiflora petunia blooms are usually extra climate resistant
Picture: Petunia ‘Frills & Spills’™ Combined’ Pre-Planted Basket from Thompson & Morgan

Do you know there are various kinds of petunia? Multiflora sorts are extra resilient to wind and rain than the large, lavish grandiflora petunias, making them a clever alternative for an uncovered window field or a blended container planting marking an entryway. A incredible instance of a multiflora is petunia ‘Priscilla’, bred to thrive in our British local weather with its mauve scented double flowers. Discover out which sort is best for you in our article ‘How you can Develop Petunias’ over at Thompson and Morgan.

Search for distinctive markings and placing colors

‘Amore King of Hearts’ has 5 pink ‘hearts’ on every bloom
Picture: Petunia ‘Amore Trio Assortment’ from Thompson & Morgan

“Not solely are the flowers cheerfully fluorescent, however in addition they have a coronary heart on the tip of each petal!,” says Michael Perry, aka Mr Plant Geek. He’s speaking in regards to the Petunia ‘Amore’ collection; “how devilishly romantic!” Simply one in all his high 5 most fascinating petunias, take a look at Michael’s publish to see the remainder of his favourites. This text is a good learn for anybody pondering the weighty query of which petunias to develop subsequent season – particularly if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing somewhat completely different.

Strive fashionable petunias just like the spectacular ‘Night time Sky’

Petunia ‘Night time Sky’ is a surprising petunia
Picture: @kath_brewer

See one of the vital beautiful petunias ever developed at its magical finest, courtesy of Instagrammer @kath_brewer. We expect you’ll agree her picture of Petunia ‘Night time Sky’, is an absolute corker. She says she couldn’t resist capturing the flowers in all their glory amid the smooth glow of the night gentle. An awesome pic from a superb photographer, that is an Instagram account nicely value a comply with.

Create a potted flower show with fairly petunias

Stunning containers make you cheerful to be dwelling
Picture: Thompson & Morgan

In addition to her fabulous petunias, Denise from @my_little_plot treats her guests to a riotous show of potted canna lilies, dahlias, geraniums, swan river daisies and dianthus on the entrance to her dwelling. In June, they’re not fairly in full bloom however nonetheless add a beautiful inexperienced softness to her out of doors area. Denise’s tip for creating your individual potted plant show is to save cash on the pots through the use of low cost and cheerful plastic ones as a result of, “as soon as the vegetation begin spilling over them you possibly can’t inform what they’re!” Observe on her Insta for extra intelligent hacks!

Fill hanging baskets with petunias for vibrant kerb attraction

Petunias present a wonderful hanging basket show
Picture: Yuriy Chertok/Shutterstock

If you happen to’re questioning what to develop in your hanging baskets, professional gardener and blogger, John Moore of Pyracantha recommends giving Petunias a attempt. He says trailing varieties are supreme to develop this fashion supplied you “discover a spot to your basket that may hold in uncovered daylight all day as they like loads of sunshine.” He recommends you go for a giant hanging basket of not less than 14” diameter and, for finest outcomes, fill it with high quality compost that retains moisture successfully.

Michelle – Veg Plotting

This scented hanging basket is positioned by the door so the perfume will be loved
Picture: Veg Plotting

A number of folks wish to experiment with completely different varieties, says Michelle of Veg Plotting, however having discovered a mixture of petunias that develop reliably in British climate, she’s sticking along with her favorite Surfinia ‘Purple Vein’ and Petunia ‘Priscilla’, superbly set off by a trailing bacopa. If you happen to fancy a go at creating a dangling basket (which Michelle says is akin to a horticultural “horn of lots”) she affords some glorious tips about hardening off, watering and feeding.

Feed petunias sparingly for extra flowers

Brighten up your entrance entrance with hanging baskets overflowing with petunias
Picture: Petunia ‘Surfinia Star Burgundy’ from T&M

Now for some petunia trivia courtesy of prolific and supremely educated gardening blogger, Mandy of MandyCanUDigIt. Do you know, for instance, that the plant was named in “1789 by French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu?” Head over to Mandy’s weblog for extra attention-grabbing Petunia information plus tips about tips on how to feed your petunias to keep away from extreme foliage manufacturing on the expense of the flowers.

Deadhead petunias usually to encourage flowering

Petunias make a wonderful bedding plant as a part of your summer time show
Picture: Petunia ‘Frenzy Combined’ F1 Hybrid from T&M

If you happen to’re on the lookout for an outline of how Petunias match into your summer time bedding combine, Carol Bartlett of The Sunday Gardener affords a wonderful article through which she compares the completely different choices accessible to you. She says the smooth pastel colors of petunias make them glorious bedding vegetation, and common deadheading prevents them setting seed, forcing them to supply much more lovely blooms that ought to final proper by way of to autumn.

Take petunia cuttings for much more vegetation

Taking cuttings is simple when somebody exhibits you ways
Picture: altana-studio/Shutterstock

Taking cuttings out of your petunias is a good way to get extra vegetation to your cash, particularly if you happen to’re rising from seed. The YouTube channel, Comfortable Sowing Comfortable Rising, offers a wonderful quick video which exhibits you precisely the place to snip your petunias and tips on how to pot them in order that they stand a very good probability of rooting. A really easy course of, all you want is a few high quality multipurpose compost and a pair of sharp scissors.

Save your petunia seeds for subsequent 12 months

As soon as your petunia flower has died again, harvest the seeds to maintain for subsequent 12 months
Picture: Petunia ‘Amore™ Queen of Hearts’ from Thompson & Morgan

Thrifty gardener Tami loves petunias for his or her beautiful night scent, and makes use of them to fill gaps throughout her backyard. On the finish of summer time, she fastidiously fills little containers with saved petunia seeds to sow the next spring. This offers her fabulous summer time blooms at no cost! See simply how tiny petunia seeds are and pictures exhibiting Tami’s approach at her Instagram: @garden_of_riley.

We hope you’ve discovered our assortment of petunia content material useful and informative. For extra info and recommendation on petunias, go to our devoted hub web page.

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