Want Colorful Petunias? Plant Them Right Now, in Winter!
Petunias are the queens of all balconies, patios and gardens - there's no doubt about that. If you want them to be your pride and joy too, you don't have to wait until spring to buy them already grown. Save time and money and grow petunias in any colour you want right now, in winter! Let us show you how!
What will you need?
Seeds, substrate, sowing containers, transparent plastic box with holes, water spray bottle, fertiliser
How to do it?
1. Substrate first, then seeds
Put substrate designed for sowing into a plastic dish, pot or glass. Ideally use a seed tray, which is specifically designed for pre-growing and your seeds will germinate brilliantly in it! Sprinkle the petunia seeds on the prepared soil surface so they only form the top layer. Don't try to push them under the substrate or cover them with it, just leave them nicely on the surface!
2. Light, warmth and water - that's the foundation!
Choose a sufficiently bright, sunny and warm location and place the container there. To ensure the whole process goes as it should, cover it with a plastic box with holes (even hand-made ones will do). This cover will serve as a mini greenhouse and your petunias will definitely thrive in it!
Don't forget about the room temperature where the seeds are located! It will be ideal if you maintain it at around twenty degrees. As for watering, the seeds will need water regularly, but don't overdo it. Try using a spray bottle, which will provide them with just the right amount of moisture without risk of flooding!
Tip: If there isn't enough light even on the windowsill (after all, winter can be rather grey), try artificial lighting.
3. Ventilation keeps all moulds away
When you see the first sprouts, you can rejoice, but you haven't won yet. Every day, for at least a few minutes, open your "mini greenhouse" and let the germinating petunias air out. You don't want harmful moulds settling on them! Fresh air will strengthen the delicate petunia beauties by slowing their growth and giving them time to get stronger. After all, you want strong, bushy and colourful petunias, not any weaklings, right?
Approximately two weeks after germination, start lowering the room temperature to around sixteen degrees. Don't interrupt your "ventilation" ritual and regularly treat your petunias to fresh air!
4. The Weak Must Go
If weaker specimens appear after germination, get rid of them mercilessly, even if it breaks your heart! And if the small petunias are packed too close together, you need to space them out so the girls don't have to fight for space and have their own room to grow.
5. Into the Pots We Go!
Once your petunias have grown, it's time for transplanting into pots! It's also recommended to trim the roots of mature plants that have developed their first true leaves (not the very first ones – the so-called cotyledons, but the "grown-up" ones). Carefully pull out the petunia with these leaves using tweezers and trim its root by about a third, then plant it in sifted soil. This trimming will make the roots stronger!
Tip: Before you enthusiastically start transplanting, watch out for late spring frosts that might still strike and kill your lovely petunias! Well, good things come to those who wait for their petunias...
What to Watch Out for During Regular Care?
Fertilizing and quality soil – that's the foundation! However, take a break for the first week after planting so the girls can stabilize a bit. And as for soil, watch out for calcium deficiency or overly alkaline soil. These are common causes of pale, colorless flowers and wilted leaves.
Rain and wind don't do petunias any good! So it's best if they don't have to be unnecessarily exposed to harsh weather. If it does happen though, remove the fallen flowers so new ones can grow. Similarly, standing water in the pot doesn't do petunias any good. Rather pour it out so the girls don't rot! Be especially careful with water during cooler days when they need very little.
Sun and warmth – that's what petunias adore! No shady spots where they would wilt, but nice and close to the sun's rays!