What are the benefits of petunia flowers and how to grow them correctly

It is impossible to imagine a garden plot without flowers - colorful and fragrant buds attract attention. Petunia decorates gardens and summer cottages all over the world. She came to Russia from Brazil. There are large and multi-flowered varieties. We will tell you in the article about the importance of petunia in human life, beneficial properties and contraindications, what petunia flowers look like and what rules are recommended to be followed when growing.

What is petunia

This annual or perennial garden plant belongs to the nightshade family. The root system is weakly branched, the stems are round and green. They can be straight or creeping depending on the variety. The height of the stem varies from 20 cm (short) to 60 cm (tall). Stems and leaves have slight pubescence.

The flowers are funnel-shaped, the corollas are smooth or ribbed. According to the shape of the flower, several groups are distinguished: large-flowered (from 7 to 13 cm in diameter) and multi-flowered (from 5 to 8 cm). Petunia colors are white, pink, red, blue, indigo, violet. According to the shape of the plant, they are divided into ampelous, bush and cascading.

Types of petunia

To grow beautiful and healthy petunia in the garden, it is recommended to study the main characteristics of the variety, the features of its cultivation, and the names of popular species. We will consider the structure of flowers of different varieties below.

Sophistry

The variety of American selection quickly took root in Russia. The plant is an annual plant, the height of the herbaceous stems is 30-35 cm.The leaves are small, oval, pubescent. The diameter of the flower bushes is no more than 28 cm. The flowers are simple with a wavy edge.

The diameter of the corolla is about 1 cm. It can be colored soft pink, light blue, or purple, depending on the variety. Also, these colors are accompanied by different shades, stains and tints, which make Sophistry even more beautiful and original. The shade of petunia may change depending on the lighting. Flowering of Sophistry begins at the end of June and continues until the first frost.

Anastasia

Ornamental annual plant, low, bloom starts in June. The petals are thin and delicate, colored light purple. Violet veins are visible on the surface, making Anastasia easy to distinguish from other varieties. The size of the flower is about 6 cm, the height of the bush is 30 cm.

The dense corolla is not damaged by rain and wind, which makes the variety suitable for growing in regions with unfavorable climatic conditions. Anastasia is suitable for growing in garden and balcony containers and flower beds, and rarely gets sick.

Grandiflora

The annual variety of petunia has more than 30 varieties. The plant is short, the height varies from 25 to 50 cm, the diameter of the giant flowers is about 10 cm. The leaves are rich green, the color of the flowers is white, crimson, pink, blue, purple. The surface of the flower can be simple or terry.

The growing season begins in early summer and continues until the first frost. Petunia is grown to decorate flower beds, borders, and garden structures. Grandiflora is sensitive to weather changes and does not tolerate rain well. Due to increased humidity, flowers fall off and rot appears on the shoots.

Opera Supreme

The length of the shoots is about 1 m, the size of the flowers is 6 cm, the shape is funnel-shaped. Different colors: white, blue, light blue, purple. The bushes are dense, branched; gardeners give them a spherical or hanging shape - depending on preferences and growing conditions. For example, a spherical plant is suitable for soil, and a hanging plant is suitable for flowerpots. For long-term flowering, homemade ampelous petunia Opera Supreme needs regular fertilizers and fertilizing. It is also important to promptly remove wilted shoots and flowers.

Attention! Majority hanging varieties They are heat-loving, so it is recommended to plant them in warm and well-warmed areas. Ampelous varieties are valued for their rapid growth of shoots, lush and long flowering period, large flowers, and various shades. For the best development of shoots, it is recommended to plant such petunia on a hill.

Ramblin'

Petunia Ramblin is grown on the plot, in flowerpots or indoor garden pots - it looks equally beautiful anywhere. Bushes of cascade type, medium size, shoots develop unevenly. The color options are different - from white to red, from blue to deep blue. There are specimens in the color of the starry sky or lime, salmon, lavender, peach, and burgundy.

The plant is an annual plant, the buds are arranged in a continuous wall. The shrub takes on an attractive spherical shape on its own, without the participation of gardeners. Ramblin is whimsical in its care; you need to know the basic rules for growing petunia.

Easy wave

Ampelous petunia is ideal for growing in containers and open ground conditions.

Easy wave blooms in the year of sowing, delighting gardeners with large multi-colored flowers.The plant is annual, dome-shaped and spherical in shape. The length of the lash is up to 1 m, the flowers form a continuous flooring. Different colors: purple, red, white, pink. The variety also has a pleasant sweetish aroma. Petunia is unpretentious in care and does not require regular care or fertilizer.

Burgundy

Cascade petunia Bergundi appeared on the market relatively recently. The height of the bush is about 30 cm, the shoots are strong and long - about 70 cm. The size of the flower is 5 cm, the color is red-purple or dark blue. Burgundy blooms from May to October and is grown primarily in open ground. The flowers are multi-level, with corrugated edges. The corollas are small and yellow.

Surfinia

Surfinia is a variety of garden petunia from Japanese breeders. The flowers are bell-shaped, size - about 9 cm. The shades are bright, the petals are delicate, with clear veins. Surfinia is grown in central Russia, on nutritious and breathable soils. The plant has a developed root system that requires regular fertilizer. Surfinia belongs to the ampelous petunias, produces a large number of side shoots and many flowers.

Attention! In addition to the above varieties, flower growers distinguish Tumbelina, Cascadis, Craizitunia, Priscilla, Spherica, Typhoon, Tornado, Fanfare, and Silver. Flowers grow well outdoors and are used in landscape design.

Optimal growing conditions

Most varieties of petunias prefer warm and dry summers. For abundant flowering, they are planted on loose and fertile sandy or loamy soil. The land must be well fertilized. Also, the growing season requires sunlight; petunia grows poorly in shade or partial shade. The plant prefers southern or southeastern areas.It is not recommended to grow petunia near groundwater, swampy areas and ponds - due to the humid environment, the plant will often get sick.

Attention! If grow petunia on the balcony or in greenhouses, it is important to provide a regular supply of fresh air. Otherwise, shoots and flowers develop slowly, grow weak and dry, and quickly crumble.

General landing rules

To grow beautiful petunia in a garden flowerbed, it is recommended to pay attention to the choice of seed and container, follow planting dates and other recommendations.

Selection of seeds, containers and soil

Petunia seeds are very small, so gardeners purchase them in special granules. The seeds are hidden in the shell, so it is easy to sow such petunia. When the plantings are moistened, the shell dissolves, leaving only seed. Seed material is sold in specialized stores. Experienced gardeners recommend carefully reading the expiration date and manufacturer information indicated on the packaging.

The soil should be light, moisture-permeable and nutritious. Most gardeners use generic garden soil from the store. Sand or vermicompost is added to it to make it more loose. Some people mix soil with peat chips to speed up the development of the root system. Also, the soil must be neutral in acidity.

Special garden containers with drainage holes are suitable for planting. These can be cassettes or boxes with pallets. They are washed with water, disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, rinsed and wiped dry with a clean towel.

Landing dates

The planting time depends on the growing region. In the south, seeds are planted from mid-January to February, in the Moscow region - in February.In the Volga region, petunias are sown from late February to April, in the Urals and Siberia - from early March to April. When planting, it is important to provide 10 hours of daylight. If there is a lack of light, illumination with fluorescent lamps is provided.

Sowing instructions

Prepared soil is poured into the container, leaving sides of about 1 cm. The seeds are placed in the soil and sprayed with warm water, then the container is covered with glass, without sprinkling soil on top. The recommended air temperature during sowing is at least +20°C. Shoots appear on days 4-6, and a month later they are planted in larger containers.

How to properly care for petunia

During the development of seedlings, it is important to maintain growing conditions and follow the rules of care. 7-10 days after picking, the petunia is fertilized - mineral complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron are applied. Water the plant as the soil dries up at the root, bypassing the stems and leaves. Use warm water; cold water can provoke the development of dangerous microbes. To ensure that the plant grows branchy and neat, the seedlings are pinched.

Attention! If the seedlings stretch out, it means they do not have enough light. Petunia is not grown on northern windowsills or in the shade. When there is insufficient lighting, gardeners use phytolamps.

Protection from diseases and pests

If petunia seedlings fall, most likely the reason lies in the black leg. Fungal disease is activated in conditions of high humidity and lack of sunlight. The causative agents of the disease lie in the soil or seed. If blackleg is detected, it is recommended to immediately remove the affected stems and leaves, and treat the remaining plants and soil with a formaldehyde solution.

If the plant turns yellow, it is affected by chlorosis. The cause of the disease is a lack of nutrients and organic matter, acidic soil, and watering with cold water. The drug “Ferovit” helps get rid of chlorosis.

Pests that pose a threat to seedlings are: aphid, spider mites, thrips. Most often they infect mature plants, but they are also found in seedlings. To combat insects, flower growers use spraying with chemicals - Intavir, Confidor, Aktara.

Planting petunia in open ground

Petunia is planted in open ground in the second half of May, after the last frost. For planting, choose the morning or evening of a cloudy day, prepare holes in advance at a distance of 20 cm from each other. The seedlings are pre-watered, the plants are carefully moved from the container into the soil, trying not to damage the fragile roots. Afterwards, the soil is mulched and moistened with warm water.

Petunias are fed with ready-made mixtures: “Garden of Miracles”, “Magic Watering Can”, “Ideal”, “Kemira”. Fertilizers are applied in accordance with the dosage indicated on the package. Vermicompost, boric acid, and potassium-phosphorus compounds also stimulate the growth of flowers.

Attention! Water the plant often, especially in hot weather. The top layer of soil should not dry out, so the recommended frequency of watering is once every 4-5 days. In rainy summers, watering is reduced. Stagnant water causes disease, especially if the drainage layer was not prepared during planting.

Common mistakes when growing

When growing seedlings, some gardeners use mayonnaise jars or milk cartons. It is not prohibited to grow petunia in such containers, but do not forget about disinfecting the container. Traces of products may remain on the walls and bottom, which, upon contact with the soil, form microflora unfavorable for petunia. It is important not only to rinse the container with water, but also to treat it with a disinfectant.

Another common mistake when growing is thickening the planting of petunia on the site. Many varieties are lush and therefore require a spacious flower bed. If you plant seedlings too closely together, the flowers and shoots will not have enough space and nutrients. Petunia will slow down in growth or stop developing altogether. For 1 sq. m plant no more than 7 bushes.

Medicinal properties of petunia

Gardeners claim that the floral aroma of petunia has a beneficial effect on the human respiratory tract, improves the functioning of the nervous and digestive systems, and relieves stress.. Petunia also lifts your mood and helps get rid of headaches. The flower does not cause allergies, which is especially important for those who cannot tolerate strong and intense aromas.

Attention! There is no scientific basis for the benefits or harm of petunia for humans. Leaves, flowers and shoots are not yet used in folk medicine or other areas.

Advice from experienced flower growers

To grow beautiful and bright petunia, it is recommended to follow the advice of experienced gardeners. They will help you avoid common mistakes. For example, before buying seeds, it is better to study reviews and photos of the variety or ask friends.

A few tips from gardeners who know everything about petunia:

• for planting, purchase seeds in a special shell;
• prepare the soil and container for planting in advance;
• keep the seedlings in a warm and sunny place; if there is insufficient light, purchase phytolamps;
• when 2-3 leaves appear, plant the seedlings in a larger container;
• plant seedlings on the site in cloudy, windless weather;
• immediately after planting, water and mulch the soil;
• fertilize petunia with organic and mineral substances;
• regularly inspect for diseases or pests and take protective measures.

Conclusion

Before planting petunias, flower growers recommend studying the description of the plant, its appearance, and planting rules. Popular varieties include petunia Grandiflora Prism, Tumbelina, Anastasia, Opera Supreme. You can study the color scheme of petunia in online catalogs - most varieties have original colors. Summer residents grow flowers using the seedling method, preparing seeds, soil and containers in advance. Planting dates depend on growing regions. For the proper development of petunia, it is recommended to regulate the humidity level and regularly carry out root feeding.