What is large-flowered petunia and how to care for it?

Petunia is an ornamental plant that is very popular among flower growers. It is used for growing in an apartment and in a flower bed.

There is a fairly large selection of plant varieties, and large-flowered petunia is especially fond of gardeners.

From this article you will learn more about large-flowered petunia, you will see how it looks and its sub-species, and also consider how to care for and propagate it.

Botanical Description and History

Petunia was first discovered in 3 states of Brazil: Parana, Rio Grande Do Sul and Santa Catarina. The first type of this ode became known to the world thanks to the botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. In 1793 he described the flower in detail, and after 10 years, the botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussier singled out a separate genus, the resulting name is "petunia".

Large-flowered petunia blooms in various shades, including:

• white
• pink;
• scarlet;
• purple
• blue;
• maroon.

It is possible to grow not only monophonic, but also two-tricolor flowers. This is the highlight of petunia, which is so appreciated by flower growers. The size of the flowers reaches 10 cm. Their shape resembles a bell. Terry, carved, smooth and corrugated specimens are distinguished. Flowering begins in May and lasts until late autumn.

The best varieties of varieties and their features

Waterfall Blue F1

This petunia is characterized by rapid growth and early flowering, which lasts until the first frost. A variety is used for ampel gardening. The flowers are densely terry, large (you can find out about the features of terry varieties of petunia here). The diameter of the flower is 10 cm. The plant is highly resistant to bad weather.. Throughout flowering, the plant retains a decorative appearance. Blue Waterfall is great for decorating borders, balconies and loggias.

Limbo

This large-flowered petunia belongs to dwarf hybrids. If you grow it in room conditions, then the height will reach 15 cm, and in the open field - 20 cm. The flowers are purple, diameter 20 cm. The peculiarity of Limbo is that different shades of inflorescences can be present on one bush.

Sphere

This is a new variety of large-flowered petunia. It differs in compact dimensions, since the height of the bush is 30 cm. The shoots are not prone to stretching, they are durable, they can easily transport. Inflorescences can be of different colors, large, as the diameter is 12 cm. The plant has a pleasant aroma. You can use it to decorate a border or to plant in a cache-pot.

Angelica

This type of large-flowered petunia can be with simple, double or semi-double flowers. The height of the bush is 30 cm. Inflorescences grow to a diameter of 10 cm. Grow a variety in pots. You can use such a petunia to decorate borders, balconies.

Duet F1

This variety is distinguished by double flowers, fast growth and long flowing shoots. The height of the bush is 40 cm. The inflorescences are large, their diameter is 12 cm. The flowers are bushy, they completely cover the bush. They can be white or bright salmon. They grow a duet to create bright flower beds, decorate balconies, flowerpots and flowerpots. The details of growing ampelous varieties of petunia in pots were discussed here.

Ultra

This variety has about 15 shades of flowers. The bush is compact in size, reaches 30 cm. Strong branching, starts from the very base. Flowering is long and lush. The diameter of the flower is 8-10 cm. A variety is suitable for growing in flowerpots and containers.

Yellow

This petunia is distinguished by its former buds, with very curved edges of the petals. You can use the variety to decorate the garden and balcony. Some gardeners decorate patios, perform whole border compositions. The height of the bush is 45 cm, the diameter of the flowers is 8-10 cm. It blooms for a long time and abundantly from April to October.

Triumph

The variety is distinguished by the presence of a black core, which is why it was called black triumph. Differs in weak branching, the height of the bush is 1.5 m. The diameter of the inflorescence is 15-20 cm. Their color is bright. Flowers can be simple and double. Their color varies from white to deep burgundy.

Next, you can watch a video review of this variety of petunias:

Aladdin

This is a short plant that belongs to hybrid forms. When grown indoors, the height reaches 20 cm, and in the open ground - 30 cm. The flowers are large, size 10 cm. The edges of the petals are corrugated. Flowering is long and plentiful. The most common are such shades: pink, cherry, red, blue.

The Rose

A spectacular variety that would be bred recently. It differs in velvet large inflorescences. The bush grows to a mark of 20 cm. During the flowering period, the bush is almost covered with flowers. The variety is characterized by resistance to drought, and light is necessary for its full growth. Used for growing in pots, flowerpots and flower beds.

Alexandra

The bush grows to 30 cm. Its dimensions are compact. During flowering, the bush is literally strewn with bright flowers. Their diameter is 10 cm. The plant looks elegant and beautiful. Flowering lasts from May to the very frosts. The hybrid is characterized by unpretentiousness in terms of care, rapid growth and photophilia.

Yellow avalanche

This variety is chosen to decorate the gazebo, loggia, balcony. The plant is distinguished by the saturated color of inflorescences. There are flowers of orange, scarlet, white and blue. Inflorescences of one shade are formed on one bush.

Landing Features

When planting a large-flowered petunia, observe the following recommendations:

1. Green seedlings can be planted in balcony boxes in May-June.
2. Planting plants in open ground in cloudy weather.
3. To do this, prepare a pit with a depth of 10 cm.
4. Plant plants with an earthen lump, lightly tamp with soil and water.
5. Arrange the plants at a distance of 28-30 cm from each other.

Soil requirements

To plant petunias, choose acidic and not salty soil. It must be loose, nutritious and moisture resistant. There are ready-made substrates that can be bought at the store. But most often flower growers use a soil mixture consisting of the following components:

• turf land - 2 parts;
• deciduous land - 2 parts;
• peat - 1 part;
• river sand -1 part.

Lighting and location

For growing petunias, you can choose a balcony, windowsill, terrace, summer garden, flower bed. The peculiarity of petunia is that it coexists both in open ground and indoors. Only when choosing a place it is worth considering that the plant loves the sun and fresh air.

How to care?

Watering

Large-flowered petunia requires moderate watering in winter and more plentiful in summer. During the heat, arrange watering in the morning and evening. This will positively affect flowering. Evening hydration can be replaced by plentiful spraying.

The plant normally tolerates abundant moisture or lack thereof. But the stagnant water or prolonged drought has a detrimental effect. Watering should be done with soft, settled water.

Top dressing

Only regular application of fertilizers contributes to a long and beautiful flowering. Especially need feeding plants planted in separate containers or small pots. After transplantation, it is worth using liquid complex formulations. Make them 2-3 times a week. When the plant has reached powerful sizes and abundant flowering, combine top dressing with daily watering. This is due to the fact that as the bush grows, the soil is depleted.

Common Diseases and Pests

Petunia is a hardy and unpretentious plant, but if you violate the conditions of detention, then it can become sick or be attacked by insects. For example, with excess moisture or heavy soil, the plant may be affected by fungi. Most often this is basal rot. It can be recognized by dark and soft stems. Remove affected plants immediately and treat neighboring ones with fungicides.

Another petunia is often affected by powdery mildew.. This is a fungal disease characterized by the formation of white plaque on flowers and leaves. The main reason for the development is sharp changes in temperature and humidity.

Of the pests, the danger is:

• aphid - deforms leaves and young shoots of a plant;
• whitefly - yellow spots form on the surface of the leaves;
• spider mite - leaves are covered with small yellow dots.

Breeding

Large-flowered petunia propagated by seeds and cuttings. When planting seeds, it is not always possible to maintain varietal traits. And some hybrids do not produce seeds at all.

Propagation by cuttings involves cutting off shoots from the mother plant. They should be kept in a lit place at a temperature of 10-12 degrees. For cuttings, moderate humidity and good ventilation are important. Once the roots are formed, then you can transplant the plants into pots with a diameter of 7-10 cm.

Possible problems

When growing petunias, the following problems may occur:

1. Seedlings did not sprout. This can occur due to the fact that the seeds during planting have gone too deep underground. They simply need to be decomposed superficially. In addition, the soil is not loose, but loose.
2. Sluggish and weak seedlings. This problem occurs when there is a draft. Plants love fresh air, but drafts have a detrimental effect on them.
3. Plants do not grow well. To solve this problem, it is necessary to pluck the first buds, as they take a lot of energy from the flower.

Large-flowered petunia is an ornamental plant that is used to decorate the garden, balconies and borders. In terms of cultivation, the culture is not picky, but their strict implementation will allow to achieve active growth of petunia, bright and long flowering.

Watch the video: How to Keep your Petunias Looking Full and Flowering- PETUNIA CARE (May 2024).