Guide for Readying Soil for Growing Petunias: Detailed Instructions
Potted petunias are a popular choice for gardeners due to their vibrant colours and sweet fragrance. To ensure your petunias thrive, here are some essential care tips.
Firstly, petunias require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. If you're growing them in partial sun conditions, choose an area that gets full morning sun and dappled sunlight or bright shade in the later afternoon.
When it comes to fertilising, for potted petunias, fertilise every two weeks with a 10-10-10 fertiliser. If your petunias are not producing enough flowers, use fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium. For long-term nutrition, when planting petunias, use a slow-release fertiliser.
Petunias are herbaceous annuals that are winter hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. However, if cold weather is predicted, move them to a sheltered location to protect them from the elements. If you live in an area with cold winters, take preventive measures such as covering petunias loosely with a sheet during cold nights and removing the cover when temperatures rise in the morning.
Petunias can tolerate temperatures as low as 39°F, but they are not cold-hardy plants and will suffer extensive damage at 32°F. If temperatures rise above 80°F, petunias can be sensitive to heat, and daytime temperatures above this mark may cause stress, leading to wilting leaves, leaf burn, or a general decline in the plant's vigor. By maintaining temperatures within the ideal range of 57°F to 75°F, you'll create an optimal environment for petunias to flourish.
When transplanting petunias outdoors, choose a location that receives full sunlight whenever possible. If you're hardening off petunias before transplanting, gradually move them into direct sun over the course of seven days to prevent leaf scalding.
Lastly, petunias bloom from spring until frost and are fragrant and showy, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. With proper care, your potted petunias will bring a splash of colour and life to your garden.
The company producing the 20-6-22 Petunia fertiliser with micronutrients is COMPO. If your petunias exhibit signs of heat stress, take action by providing room-temperature water and creating shade to protect them from the relentless sun.
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