1. Petunia Varieties
There are many varieties of petunias, such as Love Joy, Love Purple, Golden Edge Red, Surprise Yellow, Two-Color Cabernet Sauvignon, and Starry Sky.
2. Common Petunia Varieties
There are approximately 60 species in the genus Petunia, and the following are common cultivars cultivated in gardens:
Split-Leaf Morning Glory (I. hederacea) has leaves that are often three-lobed, reaching deep into the middle of the leaf blade. It is native to South America.
Round-Leaf Morning Glory (I. purpurea) has broad, heart-shaped leaves with entire margins and small flowers. It is native to America and can be found wild in both northern and southern my country.
Tricolor Morning Glory (I. tricolor) has smooth stems and leaves, large flowers with a bright ocean blue color, with variations of light red or white. The inner tube is often creamy yellow. It is native to tropical America and is occasionally cultivated in China. The flowers do not wither until the afternoon.
3. Recommended Petunia Varieties
Petunia Varieties: Rich Colors, Long Blooming Period, Easy Cultivation, and Few Pests and Diseases
Petunias are popular among the general public for their rich colors, long blooming period, easy cultivation, and few pests and diseases. They are not only widely used in landscaping but are also a popular choice for home gardening.
Petunia is a biennial herbaceous plant of the genus Petunia in the Solanaceae family. The plant grows 15 to 60 cm tall, with elliptical leaves that are opposite in the upper part and alternate in the middle and lower parts, with entire margins. Flowers are solitary in leaf axils or at the top of branches, with funnel-shaped corollas that can be single or double. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, purple, blue, white, yellow, as well as variegated, bordered, and striped colors. Some hybrids are also fragrant. They bloom from April to November, but can bloom year-round in South China. Petunia cultivation is simple, and watching them blossom from a tiny seed is incredibly rewarding: 1. Sowing Petunia can be sown in spring or autumn. In South China, where temperatures are suitable for autumn and winter, sowing can occur in both seasons. Spring sowing is recommended for other regions. Second-generation seeds from first-generation petunia seeds often degenerate significantly after cultivation, with lower flowering and disease resistance than first-generation seeds. Therefore, first-generation seeds cultivated by a horticultural company should be used for sowing. Petunia seeds are very small, with 9,000 to 10,000 seeds per gram. The optimal temperature for germination is 18-25°C. After thoroughly moistening the soil, place the seeds on the surface without covering them with soil. Keep the soil moist after sowing. Sowing methods include spot sowing and broadcast sowing. Spot sowing involves sowing one seed per seedling pot. The disadvantage is that the seeds are small and difficult to spot, making them easy to miss. However, it facilitates future repotting and transplanting. Broadcast sowing involves scattering a handful of seeds in a pot. The seedlings need to be separated when repotting, making it suitable for common varieties with large seed quantities. Many petunia varieties now have pelleted seeds (coated). This means the seeds are coated with a light yellow powder, which increases visibility during sowing. They don’t require soaking or covering with soil, dissolving immediately upon contact with water. Pellets are also rich in antifungal agents, ensuring early seedling growth. Second, Soil: Choose loose, breathable soil (generally fine-grained peat, peat, or leaf mold). Water the soil thoroughly (you can add a disinfectant such as carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, or chlorothalonil to the water).
3. Planting
After the seeds germinate and grow 5-6 leaves, plant them in the desired location. You can use potting soil with an appropriate amount of slow-release granular fertilizer, compound fertilizer, or well-rotted organic fertilizer in the planting soil. Petunia seedlings need shade for a few days after transplanting to allow them to grow.
4. Growing Environment
The optimal growing temperature for petunias is 15-30°C. They prefer a warm, humid environment with ample sunlight.
5. Watering
Petunias require ample water during their growing season, and the soil should be kept moist. When watering, follow the principle of “water when dry and wet when wet, and water thoroughly when watering.” When the plant has filled the pot, use a long-spouted, pointed pot or immersion pot to water.
6. Fertilizer
After planting, apply a grass and flower growth fertilizer once a week, and a flowering fertilizer during the flowering period.
7. Pinching
Most varieties will flower two months after sowing. However, if you want the plant to be fuller and overflowing with bloom, you can moderately pinch or top the top after planting. This means removing the top leaves or buds. This will dwarf the plant and promote branching.
If growing petunias from seeds is too much of a hassle, you can also purchase mature petunias from the market. Once you’ve bought them, transfer them to a large pot and plant them in the same way as after planting.
4. What is the best variety of petunia?
Petunias are notoriously difficult to grow. They are not cold-tolerant or waterlogged and prefer a warm, sunny environment. The optimal growing temperature is between 13-18°C. Winter temperatures should not drop below 5°C, otherwise growth will cease. During the rainy season, shelter from rain and avoid waterlogging in the soil. Summer is their peak growing season. Get plenty of sun and water regularly, keeping the soil slightly moist for optimal growth.
5. What petunia varieties are good-looking and easy to grow?
Cultivation Method: 1. They grow best in a humid environment. Water every 2-3 days in spring and autumn, daily in summer, and once a week in winter. If the air is too dry, spray the area around them with water. 2. They require ample fertilizer during their growth period. Fertilize 2-3 times a month with well-rotted, thinly-diluted cake fertilizer.
6. New Petunia Varieties
This depends on the conditions, primarily the temperature. If the temperature is relatively high and the seeds are constantly moist, they will generally germinate in about a week. If the temperature is low or the soil is lacking water, it will take longer.
7. Are Petunias Easy to Grow?
Hanging petunias are more popular and are cultivated in larger areas in my country. The Wave series is one of these, thanks to its strong branching ability. Its flowers are typically deep purple, creating a sense of richness and depth, yet still retaining a touch of playfulness. The Qinglang series has also been quite popular in my country in recent years. Its flowers are primarily yellow. In fact, yellow petunias are relatively popular because they are indeed relatively rare. Their main characteristic is their large number of flowers, most of which are tightly packed together, creating a sense of a vibrant cluster.