photo_library28
visibility7
Ürünstar 5.0
Petunia
Petunias are a fantastic choice if you want to add some serious color to your garden. They're not super high maintenance, and you can find them in all sorts of colors and varieties. Whether you're looking to add a pop of color to your patio or a splash of vibrancy to your front yard, petunias are a great option. Plus, they're relatively easy to care for, which is a total win in my book.
chevron_right
My Top Pick for the Most Popular Flower: Tips for Choosing, Saving on Seeds, and Growing Your Beauty
summarizeEditor's Summary
As a seasoned gardener, I've learned that petunias are one of the most rewarding flowers to grow. With the right approach, you can enjoy gorgeous, lush blooms that thrive in any conditions. I've been growing petunias for years, and I've gotta say, it was a game-changer when I started buying seeds from Solo Online Store. Their professional-grade seeds are a great value for the price, and the packaging is basic but effective. I've saved a lot of money compared to buying from a local store. For example, the 'Tidal' petunia seeds I bought from Solo cost 185 rubles, while the same seeds in a local store would set me back around 350 rubles. Plus, petunias are super easy to propagate, and you can save money by cutting them. If you do this, you'll need to plant them a bit earlier, around late January. This way, they'll have time to develop a full, lush plant that's just as healthy as one grown from seed. Just keep in mind that you'll need to provide some extra light, especially if you live in a region with limited sunlight. Petunias love the sun, but they also do pretty well in partial shade, they just take a bit longer to bloom and then they last longer. One of the things I love about petunias is the variety of colors they come in. Of course, some of the most popular and striking petunias are the 'Tidal Wave' varieties. I personally love the Silver and Cherry hybrids. The Silver one, in particular, is quite resilient - I once lost it in a hailstorm, but it grew back from the roots and looked just as healthy as before. With a bit of knowledge and experience, there's nothing too complicated about growing petunias. They're very responsive and grateful plants that'll keep you happy from early summer until late autumn.
settingsSpecifications
Fiyat8/10
KararMükemmel
Kalite9/10
Verimlilik8/10
Kullanışlılık9/10
My Top Pick for the Most Popular Flower: Tips for Choosing, Saving on Seeds, and Growing Your Beauty
I've been growing petunias for years, and I've gotta say, I used to do it all wrong. I'd buy the cheapest seeds and plant them in a clump. They'd stretch out, and I'd lose interest pretty quickly. I'd end up giving them away or replacing them with other flowers that seemed more promising. But one day, I decided to do some research on petunias and changed my approach entirely. And let me tell you, it was a game-changer. I started getting these gorgeous, lush flowers that weren't just pretty to look at, but could thrive in any conditions - heat, cold, even frost.
One thing that really surprised me was how easy it was to get started. I started buying seeds from Solo Online Store, and I've gotta say, they're a great value for the price. The seeds themselves are professional-grade, but the packaging is pretty basic. You end up saving a lot of money compared to buying from a local store.
For example, the 'Tidal' petunia seeds I bought from Solo cost 185 rubles, while the same seeds in a local store would set me back around 350 rubles.
I've also changed the way I buy seeds. Instead of stocking up for a few years, I now buy only what I need for the current season. If I end up with extra seeds, I give them to my sisters, mom, or sell them. Seeds do lose their viability over time, and I find that I'm always looking for something new and interesting to try.
When it comes to planting, I usually start in mid-February for hanging baskets and early March for bush varieties. But petunias are super easy to propagate, and you can save money by cutting them. If you do this, you'll need to plant them a bit earlier, around late January. This way, they'll have time to develop a full, lush plant that's just as healthy as one grown from seed. Just keep in mind that you'll need to provide some extra light, especially if you live in a region with limited sunlight.
I've tried a few different methods for planting petunias - either in individual pots or tablets, and then transferring them to a larger container. Or, I'll plant them all together in one pot and then divide them later. Either way, petunias have a pretty aggressive root system, and they can handle a bit of root damage. In fact, it seems to stimulate new growth.
Of course, some of the most popular and striking petunias are the 'Tidal Wave' varieties. I personally love the Silver and Cherry hybrids. The Silver one, in particular, is quite resilient - I once lost it in a hailstorm, but it grew back from the roots and looked just as healthy as before.
I was surprised to find that petunias need a massive amount of soil to thrive, at least 10 liters, and I've had success with 15 and 23-liter pots.
This also applies to the hybrid Opera. It needs a lot of soil to reach its full potential, and I've had a great experience with it in a 50-liter pot!
Over the past two years, I've switched from Tidal Wave to Opera because I love the variety of colors it offers.
Shok Wave is a more compact hybrid with smaller flowers and a delicate color palette that looks stunning. It thrives in smaller pots, too - just 5 liters is enough.
Last year, I tried growing Evening Sensation, a petunia with a strong fragrance. It was a bit of a mixed bag - the plant was quite scrawny, but it eventually flourished by September. The color was lovely, and the scent was amazing.
To get the most out of your petunias, you need to follow just two simple rules: pruning and feeding. Plus, make sure you're using a well-draining potting mix. I usually reuse my potting mix from the previous year, add some new soil or peat, perlite, and a long-lasting fertilizer (I use OJZ Kuznetsov's affordable options). Occasionally, I'll add some granular manure, and that's it for the season.
Pruning is essential, even when the plants are still young. I regularly trim back any overgrown stems. You can also do a mid-season trim in July, but only if your plants are already quite long - not all petunias take well to this.
Since I start with a nutrient-rich potting mix, I don't need to fertilize as much. I might give my plants a foliar spray of universal fertilizer every now and then.
I've found that I don't need to water these guys too frequently, maybe a couple of times a month is enough. Petunias are doing great, flowering like crazy.
Petunias love the sun, but they also do pretty well in partial shade, they just take a bit longer to bloom and then they last longer.
Petunias do have some downsides - they're susceptible to powdery mildew (luckily, I've never had that issue), you need to remove the dead flowers regularly, and they can be a bit hungry, so you'll need to fertilize them to see their full potential. After heavy rainfall, they might look a bit bedraggled.
I've tried growing some alternatives to petunias in the past, like katrinia, ampelous balsam, and lobeley, and while they're all nice plants, petunias are relatively low-maintenance and versatile. Plus, some varieties of petunias keep flowering until October (considering I live in Siberia and we can already get frosts in August, and snow in September).
This is one of the most striking and beautiful annuals that can completely transform a plot in one season. With a bit of knowledge and experience, there's nothing too complicated about growing them. They're very responsive and grateful plants that'll keep you happy from early summer until late autumn.
I highly recommend them!
Thanks for reading my review! Wishing you all the best!
You might also be interested in my other reviews on various plants:
Modern Verbena bonariensisCharming ZinniasStunning MonardaSoft Lavender
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What are the best conditions for growing petunias?
Petunias love the sun, but they also do pretty well in partial shade. They thrive in any conditions - heat, cold, even frost.
How do I propagate petunias?
You can save money by cutting petunias and planting them a bit earlier, around late January. This way, they'll have time to develop a full, lush plant that's just as healthy as one grown from seed.
What's the best way to care for petunias?
Petunias are relatively low-maintenance, but you'll need to remove the dead flowers regularly and fertilize them to see their full potential.
Can petunias be grown in containers?
Yes, petunias can be grown in containers, and they love a lot of soil to thrive.
How often should I water petunias?
Petunias don't need to be watered too frequently, maybe a couple of times a month is enough.
Can petunias be grown in partial shade?
Yes, petunias can be grown in partial shade, but they might take a bit longer to bloom and then they last longer.
What's the best way to trim petunias?
Petunias don't need to be trimmed too frequently, but you can do a mid-season trim in July if your plants are already quite long.
Can petunias be grown in areas with limited sunlight?
Yes, petunias can be grown in areas with limited sunlight, but you'll need to provide some extra light, especially if you live in a region with limited sunlight.
How do I prevent powdery mildew on petunias?
I've never had an issue with powdery mildew on my petunias, but you can take precautions by removing the dead flowers regularly and fertilizing them to see their full potential.
check_circlePros
- •Petunias are super easy to grow from seeds.
- •They're extremely versatile and can thrive in any conditions.
- •You can save money by buying seeds from Solo Online Store.
- •Petunias are easy to propagate, and you can save money by cutting them.
- •They come in a wide variety of colors and hybrids.
- •Some petunias are quite resilient and can grow back from the roots.
- •Petunias don't need a lot of maintenance, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
- •They can be grown in containers, which is great for small spaces.
- •Petunias are a great value for the price, especially when compared to other flowers.
cancelCons
- •Petunias can be susceptible to powdery mildew, but I've never had that issue.
- •You need to remove the dead flowers regularly to keep them looking their best.
- •Petunias can be a bit hungry, so you'll need to fertilize them to see their full potential.
- •After heavy rainfall, they might look a bit bedraggled.
- •Not all petunias take well to mid-season trimming.
- •Some petunias can be a bit slow to bloom in partial shade.
- •Petunias may require more frequent watering in hot weather.
- •They can be sensitive to extreme temperatures.
- •Some petunias may not be as fragrant as others.
