Tips on how to grow and care for petunias

This particular plant is one of the most popular garden flowers for both borders and containers. Petunias are prolific bloomers, but some forms require deadheading to keep them going. There are some petunia varieties that will bloom throughout the summer, except in extreme heat. You can actually find petunias in just about every color but true blue and with growing habits that mound in borders or trail down containers. This particular plant have wide trumpet-shaped flowers and branching foliage that is hairy and somewhat sticky. Around the petunia family, there are a lot of great variety: the single and double blooms, the ruffled or smooth petals, the striped, veined or solid colors, mounding and cascading habits and even some with fragrance. Although some of the petunias that is sold today are hybrids, that are developed for specific design purposes. They can actually grow easily when you transplant them to the garden, and this should be done in the spring when the threat of frost has actually passed. 

The description of the plant

The botanical name of the plant: The botanical name is Petunia x hybrida.
The common name: the common name is Petunia.
The plant type: Annual flower
The mature size: 6 to 24 inches tall and it can spreads up to 3 feet
The sun exposure: Full sun
The soil type: A well-draining, clay or sandy.
The Soil pH: The Soil pH  should be 6.0-7.5
The bloom time: Spring and summer.
The Flower Color: Pink, purple, yellow, various
The origin of the plant: A native to Argentina

How to Grow Petunias

The light: Some of the petunia varieties prefer full sun, although in the heat of summer, partial shade will keep them refreshed and blooming better.
The Soil: This plant require a light, a fertile soil that provides good drainage. And they also like a slightly acidic soil pH.
The watering of the plant: On like many flowering annuals, petunias don’t actually like to be dry for a long periods. although they also don’t like wet feet. Try and ensure a weekly, deep watering, except for spreading and container-grown petunias, that may require daily watering.
The Temperature and Humidity: This plant actually prefer warmer temperatures for germination. Make sure you start the seeds on heating pads or on top of your refrigerator. If the seed has germinated, you can move them from the warm area and let them grow in cooler temperatures.
The fertilizing of the plant: The Garden petunias actually like a balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8, 10-10-10, or 12-12-12. Make sure in early to mid-July you use a liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks. Don’t forget that spreading petunias may need weekly fertilization, while container-grown plants will respond well to a time-release fertilizer. 

Some of the common Diseases and Pests of the plant

The following are the disease and pest that attack petunias:

1. The Gray Mold and Soft Rot: Under normal condition this usually occurs in rainy climates. Make sure you choose weather-resistant varieties.
2. The Aphids: You can hose off with a strong blast of water.