Groups of petunias: what are they and what are their features

ampel ❀ cascade ❀ bush ❀ terry

Petunias are great for growing as a garden plant. Ease of care, a wide range of colors, a huge selection of forms make it possible to widely use various types of petunias for organizing pots and flowerpots, borders and flower beds. Unpretentiousness and good perception of new conditions after transplantation make petunia the leader in the list of annual flowers for a personal plot.

The climatic conditions for growing can be very different: the plant can withstand humid and sunny weather with indicators up to 35-40 ° C, and is normal for coolness. However, the cultivation environment strongly affects the appearance and flowering duration of this plant. When choosing a variety of Pitunia, it is important to take into account the type of its growth. Also petunias differ in the shape of flowers. They are completely terry or with a terry edge, large, miniature, monochromatic, two-color and fancy. At the same time, which variety of petunias is better, it is impossible to answer unequivocally. Each gardener chooses according to his taste.

Petunia groups

Petunias are divided into groups, each of which has varieties that correspond to the characteristics of the group.

1. Ampelny and cascading groups of petunias, they are better suited for planting in hanging pots, multi-tiered flowerpots.
2. Bush petunias are distinguished by lush bushes with restrained growth, they do not form long lashes.
3. Groups terry, fringed and large-flowered petunias are distinguished by the largest flowers.

Hybrid petunia: description of species and 6 rules of care

For many years I have been growing various varieties of petunias. Unfortunately, the small area does not allow a large number of flowers to be planted at once, so I give preference to annuals, and I plant different ones every year.

Suitable for landscaping

Hybrid petunia - photo, description of the species:

Hybrid petunia(lat. Petuniax hybr>


Creeping petunia is distinguished by long stems and short stature. Photo: floral-

The author of the video recommends forming petunia bushes from the very beginning of development. As soon as lateral shoots are formed from the outlet, they should be cut off 7-10 cm long. Pruning is done by leaving 2 - 3 leaves on the shoot, the rest is cut off. Flowers can be propagated from cut shoots:

Ampel petunia

The varieties of this group are the most popular. They can be found more often than others when decorating tall flowerpots and balcony boxes. However, if you plant this petunia on an ordinary flower bed, you can achieve a completely enchanting spectacle: if the roots of the plant are not limited by the volume of the planting container, the plants form a lush carpet and bloom until frost.

Petunia from the ampelous group is distinguished by earlier flowering and active growth of shoots.

• At the time of growing seedlings, you can manage to cut it 1-2 times, thereby doubling, or even tripling the planting material.
• Pinching is carried out when the shoots grow up to 3-4 cm, not earlier, then full cuttings are obtained.
• With a sufficient volume of planting capacity, ampelous petunia forms shoots from 50 cm to 1 m long.
• In open ground conditions, some varieties are capable of producing whips up to 1.5 m.

The variety is distinguished by the longest shoots Explorer. It is presented in a variety of colors. The variety is distinguished by the most plant-resistant flowers: thanks to the wax bloom, they do not deteriorate with short-term rains.

Lovers of yellow petunia will like it Table Yellow, it has medium-sized flowers, cream with a yellowish center, very abundant flowering.

Surfinia

The surfinii group also belongs to the varieties of ampel petunias. Their shoots grow vertically downward. At the seedling stage, plants need to be pinched.

Minitunia

Among the ampelous petunias and minitunias. They are distinguished by medium-sized flowers and shorter shoots, as a result of which the bush looks more compact, and the leaves are almost invisible.

Photo: petunia in balcony boxes

Growing petunias from seeds

Sowing

If you sow petunia seeds for seedlings in February, then they will need a backlight. Most gardeners prefer to sow seeds from mid to late March, while it should be borne in mind that due to insufficient daylight hours, seed germination is extremely low, so they must be sown with a margin. Sowing substrate should be taken light, loose and rich in nutrients. Recommended substrate composition: rotted humus, peat, sand and sod or leafy soil (2: 2: 1: 2).

Fill the container with the soil mixture, while the top layer 10 mm thick should consist of the sifted substrate. 24 hours before sowing, the soil mixture must be thoroughly watered, in this case the seeds can be evenly distributed over its surface. Seeds must be combined with dry sand before sowing. Then they are evenly distributed over the surface of the substrate and moistened with a spray bottle. Cover the container on top with foil or glass. Crops are harvested in a warm (20 to 23 degrees) place.

After about 7 days, the first seedlings should appear. They will need to be ventilated and moistened from a sprayer 2 times a day every day. It is very important during this period to maintain a high level of air humidity in the mini-greenhouse, however, because of this, a "black leg" may develop on the plants. To prevent this, it is necessary to remove condensation from the film every day immediately after it appears, and the glass must be turned over the other side. In addition, seedlings must be systematically sprayed with a weak solution of potassium manganese. When the first true leaf plate is formed in the plants, the shelter from the container will need to be removed, the surface of the substrate should be covered with a thin layer of sand, and watering should be reduced.

Seedling care

When the seedlings have 3 or 4 true leaf plates, they should be picked, before that, thoroughly moistening the substrate in the container. Take the stick and gently pry it on the plant. Pull it out of the soil by grasping the leaves, while being careful not to shake the substrate off the roots. For picking, individual plastic or peat pots are used, which must be filled with the same substrate. After the plants are sown, they need to be well watered and covered with paper sheets or lutrasil for 2-3 days.

During this period, you need to take care of the seedlings correctly and this should be taken seriously. During this period, the substrate should be moderately moist all the time. At this time, a variety of factors affect the frequency of watering, therefore, in one case, the seedlings will need to be moistened 1 or 2 times in 7 days, and in the other - twice a day. It is very important to systematically loosen the surface of the substrate around the plants.7 days after the pick, the plant will need to be systematically fed once a week, while the root and foliar feeding method should be alternated. For top dressing, you can take Kemira, Nitrofoska, Solution or other water-soluble complex fertilizers, while from 25 to 35 grams is taken for 1 bucket of water.

Grandiflora varieties begin to bloom 3 months after sowing seeds, and multiflora varieties - after 2.5 months. Before you start planting seedlings in open soil, it must be hardened. For this, the seedlings are taken out into the street during the daytime, or the seedlings are transferred to a cool room for several days.

Cascading petunia

This petunia is in many ways similar to the ampelous petunia, with the exception of the nature of the growth of the shoots: in her they grow to the sides, that is, horizontally. Over time, under the influence of the weight of its own flowers and shoots, this petunia begins to droop.

Especially impressive, in my opinion, the plants of this group look in high floor vases with a narrow "leg", they literally form a flower cloud.

Photo: cascading petunia

Among the cascading group of petunias there is an interesting variety Silver with white and silver flowers.

When placed in flowerpots, combine the variety Silver with varieties of purple or violet color for an enchanting effect.

Photo: cascading petunia, variety Silver

Gardeners reviews

Frodo, Togliatti

You buy the very first petunia, then plant it in a large pot at home and put it on the window, feed it and after two weeks you have not one plant, but 10, and in the house it grows 20 times faster than on the street, the main thing is that there is light ...

Lobelia, Zhukovsky

Good results were obtained when feeding AVA, for balcony flowers. Petunia loves to eat, but potassium-phosphorus "food".

Fringed Petunia (Frillitunia)

A group of fringed petunias appeared not so long ago, but they have already won the hearts of gardeners. The flowers of this petunia are large. They can be either one-color or two-color with a spectacular fringe along the edge of the flower. The form of plants is erect, in flowerpots in the wind they may need support in the form of decorative lattices along the edge.

Fringed petunias in the Moscow region are best planted in places protected from wind and rain, it is good to arrange flowerpots with petunias under a canopy, or on the porch. Their delicate flowers do not recover even after light rainfall. In addition, fringed petunia does not bloom too much, and does not form the desired hats.

Rather, this petunia is for gourmets, lovers of enjoying a single flower, rather than the general appearance of a plant.

Photo: fringed petunia, Frillitunia burgundy

Terry petunias

Plants of this group are the most luxurious, you want to admire them again and again. Contrary to the assertion that terry petunia varieties are supposedly more capricious to grow than others. In my opinion, this is a myth.

Terry petunia has a slightly longer growing season: from germination to flowering, it needs two weeks more time than, say, a bush or fringed petunia. Compared to the fringed petunia, the terry petunia resists precipitation better and is quite suitable for planting in pots.

The discovery of the past year for me was the planting of a terry two-color petunia in hanging pots, it looked unusual and luxurious.

Terry petunia varieties can be one-color, two-color, and even fringed at the edges.

So, variety Valentine with carmine red flowers is the most unusual among the varieties of terry petunias. It is distinguished by compact bushes and abundant flowering: its densely packed flowers have a noticeable fringe along the edge of each petal. During flowering Valentine creates a sensation and becomes the center of attraction for the eyes.

Among the terry petunias, there are also varieties with blue flowers - some of my favorites: they perfectly resist rain and demonstrate a blue-violet tone so rare for petunias. In addition, they are the most unpretentious in care.

The two-color terry petunia also looks elegant: varieties with red-white and crimson flowers with a wide white border.

Photo: petunia terry group

Superbissima

This group continues the series of the most unusual petunias. Plants of this group are more likely for gourmets than for landscape gardening.

The flowers themselves are very large, with a dark marble dusting in the wide throat and with strongly corrugated petals, the back of which is darker than the outside. Plants of this group spend a lot of energy on the dissolution of such large flowers, therefore, they do not differ in abundant flowering and need feeding.

• Bushes are erect.
• No more than 3 flowers bloom on one plant at a time.
• After flowering, wilted flowers must be removed so as not to spoil the view.
• Resistance to precipitation of the Superbissim petunia is average.

The Superbissima petunia is usually planted a couple of times, rather for fun.

Photo: petunias from the Superbissima group

Care

This plant perfectly tolerates pruning, crown formation, and quickly recovers. It is advisable to plant bushes on lighted windowsills or sunny places; areas in light partial shade are suitable.

Taking care of petunia is not difficult; you need to devote only a little of your attention to it. All manipulations are best done in the evening or morning, and not in the heat. A cloudy day will be fine.

• Pruning. Rejuvenation is carried out if the shoots are stretched out and bloom less. Shorten the stem by 15 centimeters, half for ampel varieties.
• Remove faded baskets. This will stimulate the growth of new flowers.
• Watering. It is worth moisturizing petunia as needed. Watered at the root, and when the water is absorbed - loosened (you can also the next day). If there is no rain for a long time, you can spray the bushes, only with a weak pressure, so as not to damage the flower petals.
• Top dressing. Petunia (especially in pots) needs regular feeding. We purchase organic and inorganic nutritional formulations and alternate application. The choice of fertilizers is great - these are dry and liquid root dressings, as well as solutions for spraying. Take the time to feed your plants once or twice a week.

Bush petunias

It was with this group that the acquaintance of gardeners with petunia once began.

• Bush petunia plants can grow from 30 to 50 cm in height.
• Petunias of this group are distinguished by large flowers, erect shoots and relatively fast growth rates.

The best place for them is multi-tiered and ordinary flower beds, or wide flowerpots, volumetric decorative planting containers, like a bicycle or wheelbarrows, suitcases.

Photo: bush petunia, Jolly Star-velvet variety

Bush petunias, like large-flowered groups, are quite possible to grow on an ordinary windowsill without special lighting due to the fact that their seedling period is shorter than that of other groups. From germination to flowering, they need 2 months.

In the conditions of the Moscow region, bush and large-flowered petunias are sown in mid-March.

Photo: bush large-flowered petunia

Varieties Pikoti - some of the smallest and brightest in this group.

Photo: petunia Picoti in red and crimson

Pikoti they are pink, crimson, red and purple with a wide white edging.

Photo: purple petunia picoti with a wide white border

Large-flowered petunias (Grandiflora)

Plants are characterized by unpretentiousness and good growth, erect, large flowers, resistant to rain, in my garden withstood frosts down to -2 ° C.

Perhaps the most spectacular varieties of this group are the so-called stars, when in the center of each petal there is a contrasting stripe compared to the main color.

Photo: petunia Grandiflora, Marco Polo cultivar

Variety Marco Polo conquers with its festive colors. I plant a white large-flowered petunia in a pair with him Complimentunion, it is one of the few white petunias that does not form dark spots on the petals after rain.

Photo: large-flowered petunias Marco polo and white Complimentunia

Diseases and pests

The main insect pests of petunias are spider mites, thrips, aphids and whiteflies. Sticky cobwebs, whitish spots and stripes, drops of sweet dew appear on the stem and leaves.

The plant dries up, the leaves are deformed, the decorative effect and the life of the bush as a whole suffer. Insecticides, acaricidal preparations, spraying with infusions of dandelions and tobacco are very effective against parasites.

Another problem that growers face is disease. Gray mold, black leg and powdery mildew. Whitish bloom and brownish spots, rotting and softening of the stalk indicate infection.

Fungal misfortunes appear with waterlogging and dense plantings, soil acidification and an overdose of nitrogen. They fight this scourge by spraying with garlic infusion, Bordeaux mixture, disinfect the earth with potassium permanganate.

Attention! When bringing petunia into the house for the winter, carefully examine the plant. There is a risk that pests will be found on the inside of the leaf. Prevent infestation of home flowers.

Small-flowered petunias

A relatively new group of petunias with medium-sized flowers about 2-3 cm in diameter and a compact bush shape. Certain varieties may resemble calibrachoa.

Meet in this group and terry varieties and "star varieties". Small flowers withstand rain and wind well, and short shoots do not break off.

Photo: terry petunia

How to collect petunia seeds

If you decide to collect petunia seeds, wait for them to ripen on the bush. At the very beginning of flowering on the bushes of petunias of those varieties that you want to sow next year, plan for yourself a few lower buds, since in them the process of seed formation and ripening is faster. It takes about two months from the moment the buds are formed until the seeds are fully ripe.

In the photo: Blooming variegated petunias

Petunia seeds are very small, their diameter is about 0.5 mm, there are about a hundred of them in a box. You can cut the seed boxes and store them at home, but it is better to shake the seeds out of the boxes, put them in bags and write on each of them the name of the variety and the year of seed collection. The seeds are dosed at room temperature for three to four months. With proper storage, petunia seeds do not lose their germination for up to four years.

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