Growing
If you are growing a petunia at home, remember to choose the correct location for this flower first. Such a houseplant loves sunlight, so it should be placed on the sunny side.
If petunia is grown in a darkened area, then its flowering will not be abundant enough. In addition, this will prevent the flower from growing lush, and this will affect its appearance.
You need to find the right container for such a plant. Its volume must be at least 3 liters.
Do not forget to carry out the pinching procedure, which is done only for an adult petunia. This will ensure good bushiness of the plant. If it is in partial shade, then this procedure will have to be carried out repeatedly.
Attention should be paid to the choice of soil. Remember that it should not be too acidic and alkaline.
Moreover, the land must be chosen sufficiently loose and as nutritious as possible. Also, peat and humus must be added to the soil.
If you are going to plant petunia in open ground, then this procedure should be carried out with a plant that has grown a little. Planting is best done in mid-May. At the same time, the seeds deepen to a distance of 1-1.5 centimeters.
Popular varieties
Petunia of the Grandiflora Dreams series is available in several separate varieties with different appearances.
Dreams Burgundy
This species has strong straight stems, good branching. Petunia recovers quickly and easily, even after heavy rain and strong winds. The buds of "Burgundy" are large, painted in a bright pink shade. Their shape is funnel-shaped.
Dreams Midnight
This decorative type is the most common. It has large purple buds. The Midnight variety is considered a thermophilic, but drought-resistant and unpretentious flower.
Plant height does not exceed 40 centimeters. The flower diameter is 7-9 centimeters. The variety is a perennial but is grown as an annual.
Dreams Red
This variety is distinguished by abundant flowering. It has beautiful bright red-colored buds. Their diameter can reach 12-13 centimeters.
The height of the bush is about 30-35 cm. Dreams Red is a thermophilic species.
Dreams blue sky
The variety has buds painted in a blue or blue-lined shade. The height of each erect bush reaches no more than 20-25 centimeters. The flower diameter can be about 7-10 cm.
Dreams Burgundy Picotee
The variety has large buds of a rich burgundy or purple hue. In this case, the edges of the petals most often grow with a thin edging, which is painted white.
The diameter of the flowers reaches 10 centimeters. The plant belongs to the group of medium-sized flowers.
Dreams Mix
This variety grows with buds of various colors. The bushes are quite powerful, the variety is also distinguished by abundant branching. Dreams Mix is resistant to prolonged drought, wind and heavy rain.
Dreams Coral Morning
This species has buds of a delicate coral color with a white tint in the middle. On them you can see a clear pattern of veins with a brighter shade. The height of an erect bush can vary significantly (from 25 to 40 cm). The diameter of each flower is no more than 7 cm. They have a funnel-shaped shape, a light pleasant aroma.
Dreams Waterfall Mix
The height of each bush reaches 20-25 centimeters. The size of the flowers in diameter is 8-10 cm. They grow in white, lilac and bright purple colors. This variety has good disease resistance. It is often used for landscaping.
Dreams Salmon
This variety grows in pale pink with a white center. Plant height does not exceed 20 centimeters. The diameter of the flowers can reach 6-8 cm.
Dreams Appleblossom
This species has light pink buds with a yellow center. On the flowers, you can see thin veins of a darker shade. It is characterized by abundant flowering processes and compact shape.
Dreams Patriot
This species is characterized by buds of various rich colors (red, blue, purple, white, dark pink). The Patriot plant itself is powerful, its height is 45-50 cm.
Dreams neon rose
This species has large buds of a rich purple hue. Plant height reaches 20-25 centimeters. The diameter of the opened flower is no more than 10 cm.
Dreams White
The buds of this species are snow-white with a yellow middle. Their diameter reaches 8 centimeters. The height of the bush does not exceed 25 cm.
How to grow and care
Petunia propagates by seeds, which can be freely purchased at a flower shop. The seed is sown at the end of winter.
The seed is sold in the form of granules, each of which is covered with a slightly compacted film. This is done for the convenience of sowing and growing seedlings.
The seed is not sunk into the ground, but spread on its surface. Then moisten a little with a spray. The first entrances can be observed after 14 days from the moment of sowing, provided that there was enough illumination for the seeds.
In winter, when the daylight hours are short, the seeds are artificially lengthened with a fluorescent lamp. The optimal daylight hours for petunia seeds are at least 14 hours. After sowing the seeds, the vessel must be covered with transparent polyethylene or glass. Air the seedlings daily. This is necessary in order to exclude the likelihood of disease of young seedlings, for example, a black leg.
Carefully wipe off accumulated condensation on film or glass. Spray the ground, if it is dry, with a spray bottle. When the first shoots appear on the surface, gradually accustom them to open, dry air.
As soon as the seedlings grow up a little, release the first leaves, the bush can be cut off and transplanted into a new pot or into special cassettes for seedlings.
With early sowing, the first wave of flowering should be expected in early May. It is convenient for growing crops on balconies, open-air terraces or patios. Without the use of additional lighting, petunia of the Dreams variety is planted in the month of March, the flowering period is also shifted.
Care requirements are negligible during all growing seasons.
- water in a timely manner;
- apply fertilizers on time;
- loosen dried soil crusts;
- cut off weak and faded shoots.
Flowers on mature bushes, with proper care, bloom quickly enough - with an interval of 5-7 days, depending on the color. So that the flowering wave is not interrupted, it is recommended to pluck the faded buds in time.
After they have faded, they do not bring any benefit to the bush, they only take away its strength, which will certainly affect the abundance of the formation of new peduncles. By the way, the size of the flower may also change not for the better. All the forces of the bush will go to the formation and maturation of seeds. If this is not included in the plans of the grower, it is better to get rid of them.
From August the flowering intensity decreases. In this case, the shoots are accelerated in growth, the bush loses its attractiveness and compactness. To revive flowering, you need to cut off all the bushes of petunia Dreams, leaving the length of the shoots no more than 15 cm.In September, after such a cardinal pruning and feeding, the bush should bloom again with renewed vigor.
Where is this variety used
Contrasting, rich and bright coloring makes it possible to use it as a decorative element in hanging flower pots, on the balcony of a multi-storey building and in ceremonial flower beds. You can grow petunia Dreams and as a pot culture. Looks great in combination with other plants in alpine slides, in the design of garden alleys, arches, in hanging boxes on a tree, as a decor option.
But the best options for using the variety are in decorative flower beds. From it, like from many other types of petunias, you can create living flower carpets of different colors and shapes. The main thing is that she has enough sun, moisture and the soil is fertile.
Petunia Dreams propagates as easily as any other of the varieties. To achieve maximum flowering power, the plant should be fed at least once a week throughout the entire period. Apply complex fertilizers. At the stage of bush development - compositions with nitrogen and potassium content. The growth rate, shape, number of peduncles and plant health depend on them. Organic matter also needs to be added periodically to feed the bushes. It is good to alternate them with each other.
The bush has a compact size, good plasticity, which allows you to grow crops for decoration and landscaping. It is often used in the planning and creation of bright multi-tiered flower beds, in landscaping urban park areas, front gardens in private sectors.
Growing
If you are growing a petunia at home, remember to choose the correct location for this flower first. Such a houseplant loves sunlight, so it should be placed on the sunny side.
If petunia is grown in a darkened area, then its flowering will not be abundant enough. In addition, this will prevent the flower from growing lush, and this will affect its appearance.
You need to find the right container for such a plant. Its volume must be at least 3 liters.
Do not forget to carry out the pinching procedure, which is done only for an adult petunia. This will ensure good bushiness of the plant. If it is in partial shade, then this procedure will have to be carried out repeatedly.
Attention should be paid to the choice of soil. Remember that it should not be too acidic and alkaline.
Moreover, the land must be chosen sufficiently loose and as nutritious as possible. Also, peat and humus must be added to the soil.
If you are going to plant petunia in open ground, then this procedure should be carried out with a plant that has grown a little. Planting is best done in mid-May. At the same time, the seeds deepen to a distance of 1-1.5 centimeters.
Water the petunia twice a day. Watering is carried out strictly at the root. To remove excess water from the container with the plant, it is recommended to use a special drain. Stagnant water can kill the petunia.
If you want to grow such a flower in hanging pots, then remember that in this case the conditions for its maintenance are more stringent. So, it is imperative to additionally add clean sand and sod land to the soil.
Also in this case, gardeners are advised to fertilize the plant with a hydrogel. He will be able to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. It is necessary to lay a drainage made of expanded clay, brick or gravel in the container.
In order for petunia to grow and develop normally, it is worth regularly cutting off dry and diseased buds, and making top dressing. In the spring, the plant should be fertilized with nitrogen-containing compounds.
To lay the buds, you need to make complex dressings with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. Iron is also great for abundant flowering and growth. With its lack, petunia may develop chlorosis. Humic and organic feeds are also good for petunias.
Diseases and pests
Petunia practically does not attract pests, but at the same time it often suffers from various fungal and bacterial diseases. So, the plant can be affected by gray or white rot, black leg. In this case, diseased plants are immediately destroyed, and healthy flowers that were nearby are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux liquid.
If petunia has nevertheless been damaged by harmful insects (spider mites, aphids, slugs), then you should immediately treat it with professional chemicals that can be purchased at any specialized store.
You can learn how to care for petunia seedlings after germination by watching the video below.
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Supplier PanAmerican Seed
Category Annual plant
Flower size 8-10 cm
Abundant petunias bloom throughout the season with an interval of 5-7 days, depending on color. A wide range of colors. The plant is compact, with large flowers.
Disease resistant. An excellent choice for professional cultivation and gardening.
The petunia of this series combines two main qualities that these garden crops are endowed with - large flowers (reaching more than 12 cm in diameter), early flowering period, lasting until the first frost. Petunia Dreams, although it appeared on sale recently, managed to fall in love with many gardeners - both amateurs and professionals.
Petunia large-flowered Burgundy Picoti became a decoration of my balcony. Growing from seeds, helpful tips.
Last year I decided to decorate my loggia with flowers. I sowed several species for seedlings, but most of all as a result I liked the large-flowered petunia.
I bought seeds of two hybrid varieties: Pikoti and Daddy. Both varieties are good, but Picotti was the first to bloom.
I chose granular seeds, they are covered with a special nutritious shell and due to this they are larger, it is more convenient to plant them. Only in a bag there are rarely more than 10 of them. But if the seeds of a proven company are fresh, then everyone will sprout.
I planted them in early March in peat cassettes.
In no case should the seeds be sprinkled with earth, they must germinate in the light. You can only lightly press them into the ground with a toothpick. The soil needs to be loose enough so that the roots have something to grab onto.
On top of the box with the sown seeds, you need to put on a plastic bag or cover it with glass to create a greenhouse effect.
Every day you need to ventilate such a mini greenhouse in order to avoid diseases, the black leg is especially dangerous. Be sure to wipe off the condensation, and sprinkle the soil and seeds little by little from a spray bottle. When the seeds begin to germinate, you need to remove the film for a short time, gradually accustom to drier air.
And more advice. The seeds were not buried in the soil, so the roots of the petunia are weak and located near the surface
It is necessary to carefully spud the plants from all sides, otherwise they may dry out. At one time, I ruined several copies, since I did not spill, yes, I also removed the film early
All the seeds sprouted, but, unfortunately, I was not able to leave all of them.
When the seedlings grow up a little, you can dive them in separate pots. I had them in cassettes, so I already planted rather large plants in buckets of mayonnaise. Subsequently, I transplanted some into hanging pots, and left the rest like that.
I just read that many people grow bush petunias in mayonnaise buckets, but from my own experience I see that there is not enough space for them there. The bush grows well, blooms for a long time and is very abundant.
For long-term flowering, petunia must be fed, if you plant it in containers, you can immediately add complex fertilizer for flowering plants in granules to the ground during planting. I stuck Agricola sticks into the pots. And I noticed that there was not enough for one pot, I watered it with humate, the bush developed more slowly and did not bloom so abundantly.
Petunias develop at first for a very long time, but then they enter growth and quickly gain color. In May, I already had flowering bushes.
In order for the flowering not to stop all summer, the faded buds must be cut off, otherwise the plants will give all their strength to the growth of seeds and flowers.
At the beginning of August, the flowers become smaller, the shoots lengthen and, the plant begins to lose its lush-flowering appearance. It is better to cut off the bushes at this time, leaving the shoots of fifteen centimeters, to feed and by September you will again have beautiful bushes.
Petunia Daddy blue is also very beautiful, but differs in flower color and bush shape.
Many people like to grow indoor plants in their homes. Often, various types of petunias are placed indoors. Today we will talk about such a flower from the Dreams series.
