Sowing petunias on seedlings. How to grow seedlings of petunias: understand the technology

Where is petunia planted?

Like any flowering plant, Petunia needs regular feeding. In addition to those about which we spoke earlier, it is possible and necessary to use irreplaceable Bordeaux liquid (1 percent solution). It will reliably protect it from fungal infections, and will enrich it with copper. Splash plants Bordeaux need as needed, for example, if the tips of the leaves begin to turn yellow.

For the prevention of seedlings can be trotted with a thin layer of wood ash.

Stage 3 - Watering

How to choose the right varieties for your flower garden?

An important point - when exactly do you need to sow petunia on seedlings. The sooner this is done, the sooner you can admire the colors.

Need to shed well and try to gently get their slurry, so that the roots do not disturb much.

At 5-8 days (depending on temperature), the first shoots appear after sowing. If the seed is planted too much and very close to each other, then during germination it is easier to pick out extra seedlings than to swoop down. The optimal temperature for growing petunia seedlings is 20-22 degrees Celsius. When shoots appear, the lid is opened, and the room temperature is gradually reduced to 18 degrees Celsius. Then watered more often, also being careful.

The grown up seedling of a petunia is planted in an open ground when warm sunny weather is established, the soil will well get warm and frosts are not foreseen. This is usually the middle of May. Landing in the ground begins with a choice of place on the site. Petunia prefers sunny areas. You can plant it in a sunbed or supplement it with a flower-stone composition.

Where to begin?

When the snow melts, the seeds will be pulled into the soil. It is not necessary to sprinkle the crops with earth - the petunia rises in the light. Put the dish in a bright warm place. If the window sill is cold, you can identify it under a desk lamp and cover it with glass.

Seedlings of petunias at home with insufficient lighting quickly pulled out. Sometimes it is enough for this day, so it is important several times every day to look at their shoots, controlling their growth. In that case, if you see that the shoots began to stretch, you should put an energy-saving fluorescent lamp from the side of the room to compensate for its lack from the outside.

Granulated seeds, of course, are much more expensive than ordinary, cheap seeds, but working with them is much simpler and more pleasant than with small ones. It is more convenient to take them by hand and plant them in one row, and they also allow you to use a special sowing machine for planting. Experienced gardeners say that the result of planting small and granulated seeds is about the same, but when working with natural sowing material, labor costs are much higher.

The beautiful petunia has long become one of the most beloved flowers of numerous gardeners. It is distinguished by the brightness of the petals, various colors, large flowers and a fairly strong pleasant aroma, filling all the space around the flowering shrub.

About the time of planting flowers

Loves petunia and potassium-rich fertilizing. But you should not be limited to mineral fertilizers.

By the way, if, in preparing the earth mixture for sowing, add chopped wood ash to it, the “black leg” can be avoided. On 1 bucket of the mixture you need only 1 cup of ash.

On the choice of seeds

In order not to wash away small seeds with a stream of water, it is necessary to water the improvised “bed” extremely carefully - through a strainer. It will cut the stream of water (preferably thawed or rain), so that watering will be gentle.

Usually this is the end of February - March. But this does not mean that it is impossible to sow, for example, in January. You can, of course, just in this case, it will be necessary to cover the seedlings almost around the clock in addition, and it is uneconomical. In addition, the plants received too early by the time of the “relocation” to the street will have time to lose some of their decoration. So hurry in this matter is not worth it, as, incidentally, delay.
And I, after watering neatly .. with a toothpick, I hooked it and seated it in a little thing. For a few years already got the hang of it, so ... good luck !!!

When creating optimal conditions in 2.5-3 weeks after sowing, the appeared seedlings can be swooped down (see below). 3 weeks after the first picking, seedlings are planted in flower containers (8-10 cm in diameter), using a substrate containing the largest number of micro and macro elements. After transplanting petunia seedlings into flower containers for good rooting for 7-10 days, the temperature is maintained: at night +18 degrees, in the daytime +20 degrees Celsius, then it is lowered at night to +14, in the daytime to +16 degrees Heat.

On the choice of land

Ideal area with loose and moist soil. Before planting, the ground must be fed with any fertilizer for flowering plants. You can use 20-30 grams of nitrophoska per 1 square meter.

In a week, petunia shoots will appear. From now on, they need to be ventilated at least once a day (preferably twice).

As they grow, thin bylinochki released from the seed coat. For this process, they need a sufficient amount of moisture in the soil. Only after the first leaves were born, you can remove the film.

Whichever soil you choose, whether purchased or from the garden, be aware that it must be thoroughly steamed and, if possible, rid of spores of fungi and pests that affect small, weak shoots. Petunia seedlings at home - not a myth, but a reality. It is important to simply observe the technology of growing fragile, thin, afraid of drafts and drying of seedlings.

Due to the combination of absolute unpretentiousness to the growing conditions and numerous beautiful flowers, it is very often used in landscape design for landscaping settlements: decorating streets, squares, boulevards, squares, lawns, parks.

Organic fertilizers for petunia (mullein, chicken droppings) are also very useful. Only they should not be abused, especially during the flowering period, because the nitrogen contained in them in large quantities causes a rapid growth of green to the detriment of flowering.

6 stage. Picking

How to plant petunia on seedlings

Stage 4 - Waiting

To focus on when to sow petunia on seedlings, the best thing about the climate: the earlier spring comes, the earlier you can get down to business.

If it is very thick, I would have baked it when 2-3 leaflets appear. I like the nail file adapted.

And if the seeds of petunia are in granules ... We make shallow parallel grooves on the surface, spill them well, then we carpe them in strips cut from colored paper napkins. Lightly press the strips to the ground and carefully (with the help of a wet wooden stick from ice cream) place the seeds in granules on them. Granules easily stick to strips and are no longer lost in the ground. Top of the earth do not sprinkle. Crops are sprayed from the spray. Along the grooves, we place plates indicating the variety, the date of sowing and the number of seeds sown. Then we cover containers with crops with a dense transparent film and put in a bright warm place (approximately +22 degrees).

Seedlings are planted at a distance of about half a meter between plants. It is advisable to engage in planting in the morning or after sunset, so that the scorching rays of the sun do not traumatize the tender seedlings. Each bush under the root is plentifully watered with warm water and mulch with sawdust.

How to help the seeds go up?

To do this, remove the cover, wipe off the condensate and leave the crops for 10-15 minutes open. Exact time is not important. Nothing bad will happen if you cover the crops immediately (for example, being late for work). You can air crops and hour, if you have other things at this time. It is only important not to forget to do it every day.

Further, all attention is focused on maintaining the air temperature of about 20 degrees, airing the room and seedlings for 10-20 minutes daily and timely soil moistening. Please note: it should not be constantly raw. Control of these parameters is obligatory, since planting petunia on the seedlings is small, it is also necessary to grow it.

Petunia seedlings in peat tablets

As a substrate for planting seeds, well-crushed surface peat layers are used, mixed with sand, protecting the soil from the growth of moss, algae and root rot (“black leg”), flavored with fertilizers and microelements, providing a small plant with everything needed for growth, development and further flowering.

These bright flowers look great both on lawns dividing the road, and hanging pots along the streets. Even a few plants, planted near the restaurant, beauty salon or shop, located on the first floor of the house, delight visitors and passers-by with different flowers of delicate petals and lift the mood with a sweet fragrance.

It should be watered with organic infusion of plants every two weeks. To obtain liquid fertilizer on the basis of mullein, you need to part 1 of it diluted with 10 parts of water and insist for several hours. Infusion of bird droppings is prepared in the same way, only in the ratio of 1:20.

When to plant a petunia seedlings?

When the seedlings appear on two true leaves, they can dive, that is, sit down.

Do not forget that, like other members of the nightshade family, petunia also needs constant warmth. We will try to take this into account. Seeds germinate at temperatures above 20 ° C. The higher it is, the better, but also within reason.

Well, now - about the most important thing, that is, about sowing and caring for the shoots of future beauty.

Picking and seating

I cut the ground into centimeter squares, hook it with a fork and put a glass in a half-filled (I do not stamp the ground), water it at the root of a spoon or spray such a small square of the earth, not everyone gets accustomed, and then I cut out frail ones that survived, leaving 3 pcs, when thrown out 1-2 leaves

Conclusion

Seeds germinate under a fluorescent lamp after 10-20 days at a temperature of + 20-22 degrees. Light is necessary for emerging shoots and the more of it, the stronger they are. If there is not enough light, the shoots are drawn out and often fall. After the appearance of the first true leaf, crops are aired, remove the film and reduce the temperature (overnight) to + 14-16 degrees. In the phase of the 3rd landing leaflet, it is possible to thin out a little, to sow extra seedlings. In the future, the main thing is not to overwet them. Water every 3 days: if the soil is allowed to dry slightly, the roots will begin to look for moisture and work better. It is advisable to pinch the plants, and during early plantings you can take apical cuttings.

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Petunia: growing seedlings

If you decide to plant the seeds of petunia immediately in open ground, then first dig the earth and feed it with complex fertilizers. Mix the seeds with fine sand and sow in the ground. Carefully moisten crops from the scattering tip for the watering can. In warm weather, the first shoots will appear in 8-10 days.

At first, petunia seedlings develop very slowly, their strength goes to building up the root system. If in some places the seedlings are too thick, thin them with tweezers.

We wait until the first real two leaves appear and proceed to the next stage.

The quality of the soil, its composition depends on the preservation of the optimal amount of moisture. Because of its lack of seedlings quickly dry, and the excess contributes to the development of fungi and damage to the stem or root system of the plant.

At the dacha, in the front gardens of country houses, on the balconies of city apartments throughout the summer more and more new flowers bloom on each of these simple at first glance plants.

Pests do not disturb petunia as often as other garden plants. However, to prevent the appearance of ubiquitous thrips, aphids or other “aggressors”, it would not be superfluous to treat them several times in a season with an aqueous solution of any systemic insecticide that is used to protect the beds from pests.

You can - in special rassadnye cassettes or disposable plastic cups.

If we did everything right, the first thin sprouts should appear somewhere in a week. Much depends on the quality of seeds and varieties.

Stage 1 - Prepare the soil

I can not imagine how to dive one by one. I sit in bunches, 5-10 pieces each. Separate a disposable knife.

When the plants grow up and get stronger, they dive into separate containers. To do this, it is best to use plastic cassettes with 100, 260, 380 holes (the best option is a cassette with 260 holes). After picking, the 1st watering is performed with a 0.1% solution of a previcure, followed by clean water. In this case, the temperature for rooting seedlings is desirable to maintain in the range of 18-20 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, the plant quickly takes root and on the 10th day after the picking, seedlings can be made to feed the petunia with mineral fertilizer. Top dressing is repeated 2-3 times.

Unpretentious petunia does not need frequent watering or any special care. It is sufficiently abundant to be watered once a week and to apply complex mineral fertilizers 1 time in 2 weeks. Petunia does not like stagnant water, so make sure that there is good drainage.

When the petunia leaves touch the glass, remove it, but continue to carefully monitor the soil moisture. Petunia is demanding for watering. Peresushka will destroy your plants. You can moisturize from the pallet or watering "under the root", the main thing is that there are no drops on the leaves.

How to plant seedlings of petunias correctly after picking? The main rule should be to maintain a distance between them of 5 cm or more. One of the ways to achieve the result can be seating the pickered petunias into separate pots or plastic cups, having previously made drainage holes in them, since it is impossible to grow the seedlings of petunias at home before flowering: the shoots grow rapidly and actively occupy space.

Another important point: the level of acidity and soil salinity should be as low as possible.

On the home plot, petunia can be used everywhere, just pick the correct length and height of a flowering plant, as well as know about the presence of hanging lashes, quantity, quality and arrangement of flowers.

As you can see, the business of growing our beloved petunias requires attention, especially at the stage of sowing seeds and seedlings. However, the bushes, "drenched" with delicate bright colors that delight all summer, giving a good mood - this is a worthy reward for the hard work.

Before picking, the soil in the box must be thoroughly moistened so that during transplantation the intertwined tender roots can be easily unraveled without injury.

To speed up the process of awakening the seeds to life, the box with crops needs to be wrapped with polyethylene or any nonwoven material, for example, agrofibre. Seeds placed in such a micro-teplitsu will heal faster and produce sprouts.

It is very simple: you just need to mix in equal proportions sand (preferably coarse river), light peat land and soil from the bed.

Without these amazing beauty of flowers of the most unusual colors and exquisite forms, it is difficult to imagine a summer flowerbed or rabatka.

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You can also use plastic cups (0.5 liters). We make holes in them for water flow. To the former composition of the soil mix we add 1 part of husk from buckwheat or millet. The earth becomes loose, breathable. Put the cups in a common dish and pour them through the pan. Petunia grows sturdy and blooms in these cups. And when the threat of the last frost has passed, we transfer the seedlings to containers in a permanent place, having previously poured expanded clay on the bottom. Top sprinkled with a little earth. The petunia grown in such a way practically does not get sick and blooms until the coldest.

Growing seedlings

At home, petunia, which you especially like, can be preserved and propagated. Reproduction of this flower occurs by cuttings. A plant grown in this way is no different from the parent bush and begins to bloom 2-3 weeks earlier than those grown from seeds.

As soon as the seedlings of petunia grow up so that they can be held with your fingers, pick them out in pots or cassettes, carefully loosening thin roots with a spatula or toothpick. If the roots are long, pinch them so that when planting you can freely distribute them in the ground. Carefully pour soil to the donkey.

Having learned how to plant a petunia on seedlings, you can easily achieve positive results. Your work will be rewarded with exquisite hats of bright, fragrant flowers. And it will cost you practically nothing, since it is very easy to grow petunia seedlings at home. Beautiful flower gardens you!

There are several opinions of experienced gardeners and how to determine the required amount of land and how to grow petunia seedlings at home. Some suggest using plastic containers with a lid for products sold in the disposable tableware department stores, others are of the opinion that it is advisable to use containers made from natural materials (peat). How seedlings of petunia are grown in peat tablets, we will find out a little later.

So, for hanging pots and flowerpots located near the house, arbors, installed along the garden paths, low ampelous and cascade varieties of plants are suitable. It is convenient to combine them with higher brethren of the same or a contrasting color, creating a composition with a high middle and falling lashes. And to decorate a flower bed and a flowerpot, short and medium-length stalks richly covered with fragrant flowers are optimal.

I wish you, dear friends, a successful forcing and flowering of this amazing flower!

Planting in open ground

Land for seedlings fits the same, in which we sowed.

Stage 5 - Care of seedlings

Preferably priming the mixture pre-freeze. To do this, in the fall we fill with soil a box or other container, reserved for the seedlings, and put them into the frost.

They are terry and look like bells, upright and ampelous, large and small, monochromatic and two-colored. Speaking of a modest and at the same time a beautiful plant, we mean inimitable petunia, the cultivation of which sometimes causes heated debate. Although she is not capricious, however, in order to achieve a violent and prolonged flowering from her, you need to know the secrets of courting her.

At an early age, petunias develop very slowly, building up the root system. If, after the appearance of the first true leaflet, they swoop out, the plants will gain mass faster. In a greenhouse or on a glazed balcony, seedlings of petunia relocate when the night temperature does not fall below 6 degrees Celsius. Mature plants also prefer well-lit, open spaces ...

Breeding petunias

The bush that you have chosen for breeding should be transplanted into a pot in August, and pruned with the onset of cold weather, leaving no more than 15 cm, and brought into the house. This flower pot is stored in cool conditions at a temperature of not more than +12 degrees and watered moderately, so as not to provoke flowering. Observing these conditions, you can get good cuttings.

To prevent the plants from growing, place the grown petunia in a cooler place. A month after the picking, it can be taken out on the glassed-in balcony, veranda or in the greenhouse.

Petunia attracts a variety of varieties, hybrids and ease of cultivation. See for yourself by sowing petunia with us in the snow!

If the capacity for seedlings does not have drainage holes, it is necessary to make them before the work begins.

In an urban setting to decorate a flowered balcony of petunia - just a treasure! Of these, even an inexperienced florist can create very beautiful compositions. At the same time, it is not so important whether there are single-color varieties or multi-colored varieties in each box - various options look impressive. They not only delight the eyes of passersby, but also give the owners of the apartment and people passing by with their delicate scent.

MegaOgorod.com

You are for me "your man"! All my life I planted petunias, recently sowed an ampelnaya for the house. Sow looking for what? In the garden or for home. For a home, you can at any time, there are other conditions. If you are already late to the dacha, sow soon! Sprinkle the seeds over the surface of the rammed (slightly) soil, then press, put under the special. lamp and truncated.

Stage 7 - Feeding

Tender petunia shoots are like children: they need caring care. Especially since they face many dangers, and if you do not keep up with something, all our work will be in vain.

Immediately before sowing, we bring the box into a warm room and warm it naturally. Only after this we sow.

Few plant lovers know that petunia is a distant relative of potatoes and tomatoes. Grow it mainly as an annual. Meanwhile, it may well grow for several years in a row.

When to sow petunia seeds on seedlings

As soon as flowering begins, immediately mark a few lower buds, where the seeds are likely to appear before the rest of the buds. Save these particular seed buds. Choosing the buds - be patient. Petunia seeds ripen long enough. The period from the beginning of the flowering of the bud to the full maturity of the seeds, when they can be collected, is from two to three months.

Plant cuttings are best done in spring. Lateral root shoots with a length of not more than 9 cm are ideal cuttings. They remove the bottom leaves, the top cut off half. The ends of the cuttings must be treated with a growth stimulator and put in cups of soil.

We grow up seedlings of petunias ...

Varieties and petunia hybrids with strong shoot growth need nipping. When the plants of petunia reach 5-7 cm, for better tillering of the plants, pinch the shoots above the 4-5 leaf.

Growing seedlings of petunias is not difficult, for success you need to observe only a few conditions: well-chosen soil, sufficient lighting and temperature + 20 ... + 25 ° С.

We fill the tank for sowing petunias with earth, not reaching 2 cm to the top, the minimum distance from the ground to the edge of the tank is 6 mm. This distance is necessary for the development of small shoots in a space protected from all sides. If you plan to use a plastic container with a lid, be sure to make several small holes in it, through which the space of the greenhouse will be ventilated, and leave about two centimeters from the ground to the top.

Planting a petunia seedling seed pellets

In this article you will find information on how to grow petunia seedlings at home without the hassle and worries.

I grow without glass or film. Already that year. And about airing, in no case can one change the temperature and humidity so dramatically. I did this once, so they withered and dried off, although I knew that it was impossible.

Petunia seedling picking

To have the power to bloom, petunias need enough strength. Under natural conditions, in a flower bed, she will receive all the necessary things from earth and air. Under conditions of artificial cultivation, she needs additional feedings.

So, as soon as the seedlings ascend, the cover must be removed - the plants need to be tempered in the fresh air.

Stage 2- Sowing

How to grow petunia seeds?

This beauty is interesting, above all, by the lush flowering, which pleases its fans throughout the summer and a good half of autumn. And if petunia is brought into the room in September and the second youth is presented to the aged bush with the help of grafting, it will delight with its colorful “gramophone” in the winter and spring. However, before the second wave of flowering, she needed a short rest.

Most of the hybrid plants are very unstable in the offspring, or the flowers may be of a different color or size. That is, the result of your efforts to collect seeds and grow petunias will be a surprise for you. That is why, choosing hybrid varieties for growing, it is better to buy seeds in specialized stores.

When breeding cuttings of petunias, it is very important to plant them as soon as possible. Already an hour after cutting, they will not be able to take root. Caring for them is similar to caring for seedlings.From the bosom of each leaf grows a new shoot, and petunia blooms more abundantly.

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how to sit petunia

Forest

Soil for petunia

Irima

Here we come to the most important thing. Let's talk how to sow petunia on seedlings. There are two ways of landing, choose any.

This question is asked by any person who first starts a new business. How to grow petunia seedlings at home and prevent mistakes? This reflects the one who has already had a bad experience of breeding petunias. Unfortunately, with all the simplicity of an adult plant, small seedlings are subject to various misfortunes. How to plant seedlings of petunias, not all gardeners know.

Olga

When you sow, be sure to cover the jar with glass or put it in a transparent bag and on the window. Every day, remove the bag, slightly moisten the ground from the sprayer, twist and put on the bag. When the petunias enter, it is better to clean the condensate 2 times a day and 10 minutes to air the plants without the package.

Dmitry Ivanov

Before planting on the flower bed, it is advisable to “treat” plants with nitrogen-containing fertilizers that stimulate green growth and tillering. It is necessary to water the soil with a liquid nutrient solution once a week or two, depending on the fertility of the soil.

Hedgehog

By the way, the temperature at this stage needs to be reduced to about 18 ° C during the day and a couple more degrees at night, but not by direct ventilation!

elena orlova

In the case of petunia, it would be more correct to call this procedure the spreading of seeds along the surface of the soil. This is exactly the way it is necessary to “sow” it, without putting the seeds into the ground at all, otherwise they will not germinate.

ann

Basically, petunia is pretty unpretentious. But, nevertheless, abundantly it will bloom far from any place. To bloom, it needs a lot of sun and heat - it hates cold.

Natalie M

On planting grown seedlings in open ground, reproduction by cuttings, see on a separate page.

Oksana

No matter how you grow petunia, it will become a real decoration of your garden. This is a real find for gardeners. Her bright flowers with extraordinary aroma will become an essential attribute of any flower bed, balcony or window sill.

always smart

In early June, seedlings are ready for planting in a flowerpot, balcony box or flower bed:

Non-GMO

The soil should be loose, moisture-holding and quite fertile. If you are using ready-made soil, add some washed sand (approximately 1 part of sand to 5-6 parts of soil).

In the first case, the soil is moistened with water in advance and slightly compacted. On top of it put seeds in granular form or natural seeds.

We start with planning a flower garden. In late autumn and winter, gardens and vegetable gardens rest from plants, and their owners from hard, but in most cases rewarding work. This is the best time to think about placing plants in your garden, including in flower beds and flower beds. From how we want to see every corner of the land, will depend on the choice of seeds for seedlings.

Non capricious character

Sow faster, I have already given the 4th leaf

By the way, it is possible from time to time to fertilize young plants “on the leaf”, that is, by spraying them with a nutrient mixture from a spray bottle. For this, you can use instant fertilizer type crystal.

Petunias, especially at such a young age, do not tolerate drafts!

You can pre-mix small seeds with sand. Enough gently scattered on the surface of the soil small seeds slightly tamped. By the way, there should not be even the smallest lumps in the soil, otherwise the seeds will arbitrarily deepen and, naturally, will not germinate.

Growing seedlings of petunias

But to the ground this flowerbed beauty is unassuming - it feels equally well on sandy and clayey areas. The main thing - that the land was well fertilized. However, no matter how much and what we brought there, if the light is not enough, and the moisture, on the contrary, is too much, the plant will bloom, but without much zeal. These moments must be considered to get what you want.

For the cultivation of flower seedlings of petunias, it is proposed to use high quality seeds, which are produced by well-known flower companies. Flower seedlings of petunia must meet all the necessary requirements (the resistance of this variety to environmental conditions, plant size, colors, etc.) for seasonal landscaping of gardens, parks, squares.

Ideal - own seeds

Petunia is an amazingly beautiful plant that adorns the plots, balconies and window sills. Gardeners love her for blooming almost the entire season. Petunia flowers begin to bloom in May and delight in their magnificence until October. It is an unpretentious flower, easily growing in the home. A huge variety of varieties from ordinary to terry and ampelous, with a unique color and aroma, can satisfy the taste of even the most experienced gardener.

You can make your own mixture by mixing for this equal parts of humus, peat ground turf and washed sand. A simpler composition will do: peat, garden soil and sand (2: 1: 1). Sift the mixture and steamed in a double boiler or colander for 1 hour. This will save petunia shoots from diseases and weeds.

You should resort to a little trick before sowing petunia on seedlings: if you decide to use small seeds of petunia, then scatter them on a sheet of white paper, arm yourself with a jar of water and a toothpick. Having laid the seeds in a single layer on a piece of paper, select the best ones, wetting the end of the toothpick with water, bring it to the selected seed. When it sticks to a wet toothpick, carefully transfer it into a container with the ground. Using a wet toothpick, plant the right amount of seeds on the ground.

Some people are satisfied with many-flowered varieties with long stems and monotonously colored flowers, and some are not enough like terry cloves of expensive varieties.

Time to sow

I sowed 2 days ago, in plastic cups, and stand on the window under the battery. will sprout when it is about 5-6 cm tall - I will be planted on the street. last year she did it - they all grew and started, and they were well grown and bloomed well .... some varieties of petunias still need to be pinned from above when they land in the open ground to grow. if you know how a variety is called - look on the Internet you have to pinch them or not.

So, our seedlings have grown up and formed small, but well-branched bushes. It can be planted on beds, in rabatki or street containers when the weather is warm outside. You need to know how to properly plant petunias, since planting and subsequent care is the key to a long and high-quality flowering.

Water the seedlings often. First - for this we use a spray, and when the seedlings grow a little and get stronger - through a sieve.

Capricious seedlings

Board

Any plant is born from a small seed. Petunia is no exception. Her seeds are so small that it is difficult to see without a magnifying glass. However, with the right care and grow full-fledged plants.

I would not wait for many leaves to grow ... when this is often planted and not necessary. The first leaves of the seedlings of petunias are not real ... they are cotyledons ... let them grow at least a couple of real ones and then start planting. Pull out carefully in small bundles, trying not to tear off the roots, separate from each other and land one by one in small containers. Do not worry that a part will die ... the roots will break or tear off ... it is inevitable ... that you will be able to transplant enough ... surely more than a hundred seedlings have risen. For the future ... try to sow less often. For uniform sowing, you can use this technique ... sow on a layer of white snow ... you will see how the seeds are distributed in the sown area. It is even more convenient to sow granulated seeds ... they are really expensive, but the quality is good, the varieties are much better and easier to grow.

For sowing seeds for seedlings, a substrate of the fine fraction is used, made on the basis of high-quality high-moor peat, with a corresponding content of micro-macro elements and pH acidity, as well as with a minimum level of salinity. Substrate for sowing seeds should be disinfected from diseases and pests and pass water well. For sowing seeds, you can use special plastic containers with a minimum height of 10 cm. The container is filled with 8 cm of substrate, the remaining 2 cm is left free to protect young shoots from temperature and cold air movement during ventilation.

This unique plant is grown mainly by seedling. Most people prefer to buy ready-made seedlings, but they can be grown on their own. The seeds of this flower do not grow well, so the choice of land should be approached responsibly. The soil for sowing seeds should be nutritious, well drained and neutral. Well, if it is a mixture of sod land, well-rotted humus, river sand and peat.

When to sow petunia?

In the second variant, a layer of snow 3-4 mm thick is laid on the slightly compacted soil, and on top of it are petunia seeds. This method does not require pre-irrigation and is preferable for people with poor eyesight, since it is more convenient to sow petunia on seedlings when the dark seed falls on the white background of snow.

Having decided on the color and varietal decision, feel free to go to the store for seeds.

Today is the new moon. So on the growing moon I sow in plastic containers from under the cake - there is a lid there, it turns out a great greenhouse.

If we plant bushes in containers, we must first take care of the drainage, so that the excess moisture does not concentrate at the roots, but leaves.

Do not forget about the additional lighting. A day for germination should last at least 12-14 hours. We extend it artificially by placing a fluorescent lamp above the box with seedlings at a distance of at least 20 cm from the leaves. As they grow, the lamp must be gradually raised.

Petunia can be grown in egg trays. Sowing the seeds into separate cardboard cells (for this, you can use tweezers), we end up with already spiked seedlings - each plant grows in a separate cell. This allows you to save a lot of time and get stronger seedlings.

Earlier it was already mentioned that petunia is unpretentious. However, at the stage of seed germination and growing seedlings, it requires increased attention.

Grown up seedlings need to dive - carefully seated in separate containers.

Petunia seeds are of two types - pure and coated. The latter have several advantages. The shell protects the seeds from diseases and various mechanical damage, and also facilitates sowing. The advantage of seeds without a shell is only that they are cheaper, and with the right sowing they can achieve good germination. It is advisable to mark the crops of petunias in order to know which variety is sowing.

In the tank, which is designed for seedlings, it is necessary to make holes at the bottom so that the excess water does not stand and does not cause rotting of the root system. Put a drainage layer on the bottom of the pots or the crate and fill them with sifted earth. The earth needs to be moistened and slightly compacted.

If you are growing seedlings of petunias on a windowsill, you need to sow no earlier than mid-March, when the day is already quite long. Do you have the ability to light shoots with a special lamp? - You can sow petunia in late February. The temperature for successful seed germination is + 25 ° С.

In either case, it is desirable that the distance between shoots be at least 5 mm. In no case should the small seeds of petunia be buried: sprouts will not have enough strength to break out of the ground. If you really want to fix them in a specific place, you can slightly sow the ground surface of the earth with a flat plate.

In order for our petunia to please the maximum number of warm summer and autumn days with its beautiful flowers of the owners, a few words should be said about when to plant a petunia on seedlings. Usually grown up and grown strong plants are planted in a permanent place in the middle of June, when the threat of sudden cold weather passes, and the cold nights are replaced by warm ones. Of course, in the Urals and in colder regions, snow falls in June, but this happens quite rarely. If you are not sure of the weather, do not rush to plant the plants in the ground, decide on the circumstances when planting petunia on seedlings.

And then - dive and disembark (I plant on the balcony). Often she took seeds granulated, they sprout well, grow strong, bloom.

The distance between large plants (varietal characteristics must be taken into account) - 30 cm in a row, and between smaller ones - 20 cm.

"Black leg"

Petunia is grown in peat tablets.

So, growing seedlings should begin with a selection of seeds. Do not buy them in natural markets. It is better to overpay a little, but purchase high-quality seed in a specialized store. The seller will also be able to suggest which varieties are more suitable for cultivation in rabatka, and which - in a container on the balcony.

Who ever had the opportunity to grow this beautiful and rich flower in his country house, he knows what is being discussed now. What seeds to take and when to plant a petunia on seedlings so that it blooms then magnificently, pleases for a long time and does not hurt? How to learn this skill? How to grow your own variety or even grow a flower for sale (which is very profitable)? What are the subtleties of this skill - this article will tell everything now.

What and when to sow? Choosing the best varieties

Petunia should not be sown until mid-March; the day should be long enough for it to grow. If possible, light up the seedlings with a special lamp.

If you are planting using different varieties, first plant ampelnye forms - those with a long cascade: they need more time to build up the required volume. But pay attention: modern hybrids can germinate only at a temperature not less than 20 ° C-25 ° C, whereas the old ones could easily endure and 17 ° C-18 ° C. There is one more nuance: the first flowering meloculum species, they need to be sown a little later.

Sometimes on sale you can find seeds in a special shell. As a rule, they are expensive - these are rare varieties that we recommend to grow only in peat tablets. If you want to create your own variety - bolder: first of all it will help you, which simply works wonders!

Preparing the soil for small petunia seeds

The flower has always attracted summer residents with a variety of its varieties and hybrids, and it is much easier to grow it than roses or other "pampered" plants. Observe only a few conditions: well pick up the ground, put additional lighting and keep the temperature from 20 ° C to 25 ° C. Prepare the soil loose and moisture-absorbing. Mix for this equal parts of turf land, peat and humus, or peat, garden soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. If you brought ready soil, add more sand (only washed) in this ratio: 1 part of sand to 5 parts of soil.

Even if you take ready land for seedlings, it is still desirable to improve it. Poor foundation is bad, but oversaturated with flowers is also useless. Just follow this recipe: add 5 liters of soil:

0.5 liter jar of ash
250 gr. perlite
1 tbsp. spoon of potassium sulfate. If you do not have the latter, then add 1 tablespoon of Kemira or any other fertilizer where there is a lot of potassium.

Mix well. At the bottom of the container, first put the drainage - expanded clay, and only then the ground. The earth should be just that, because Petunia seeds are very small in size, they are not so easy to sprout. Small clumps of earth should be good to pass air and moisture, the soil should not be either sour or too alkaline.

If you do not know how to grow the plant properly, or you already had a sad experience - this time, bake it in the oven or process all the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Filling the boxes, leave about 2 cm from the edge - so that the shoots are then protected by the edges from accidental drafts. As a container for seedlings, plastic or wooden boxes are quite suitable, at the bottom of which you need to make drainage holes for water. If you forget about this nuance - the petunia will quickly rot, be careful.

Planting seeds - carefully, a lot of subtleties!

So, before planting a flower, treat the container well with an antiseptic - at least with the same solution of potassium permanganate.

If you do not use snow during sowing, then pre-mix the seeds with sand - so that later they can be evenly distributed evenly.

If you have purchased pelleted seeds, it is better to plant them in peat tablets, but the usual ones are more convenient to sow in the snow. They are simply visible on it better, and so it is easier to evenly distribute them later. Tablets are good because they are instantly soaked with water, do not gain too much, are not pressed and do not grow moldy, and when divided into several parts, they are scattered into multiple parts, without injuring the tender roots of the seedlings. And, most importantly, by the color of the pill, you can visually determine whether you need watering now or not. By the way, in one tablet you can sow 5 seeds at a time.

To make the seeds germinate well, keep the temperature exactly + 25 ° C. These are ideal conditions. But try not to overheat the room - in such conditions, the seedlings will grow elongated, and much more susceptible to various diseases.

After planting the seeds of this culture can not be watered, because they are too small and will quickly go to the ground. And they will not germinate there, naturally. Therefore, the first few days just spray them several times, and for additional disinfection add a small amount of potassium permanganate.

To summarize: the main difficulty in growing petunia seedlings is the germination of seeds and constant feeding. But the result will make you very happy!

We grow the first shoots of our flowers

The fact is that, first of all, the plant strengthens its root system, and only 1.5-2 actively develops the aboveground part. That is why at first seedlings will develop a little slowly - this is due to the fact that their forces will go to build up the root system. And sunlight is most important at the time of germination for seeds. Without it, they will not germinate - that is why they are taken when planting not to drip ground, but only gently pressed to the ground.

Water the seedlings also need to skillfully: in any case not on the leaves, only "at the root." Are there any droplets on the plant itself? Shake them off. Especially make sure that a crust does not form on the surface of the earth, which immediately blocks the oxygen to the roots of the plants, and they are “choking” from this. To prevent this from happening, the soil is often loosened. The watering itself should be neat, moderate and regular. Sprouts will quickly die if you let the soil dry out at least once, and if you overdo it with watering you will get a black leg.

Remove shelter gradually: on the first day, just for five minutes, and after a week, increase the interval. So do it until the seedlings have real leaves - young plants will get used to everything quickly.

Dive the seedlings: gently, carefully and warmly

As soon as you can hold the seedlings with your fingers, it's time to move on to picking into the cassettes. Carefully loosen the soil with a toothpick or spatula, and pinch long roots. After transplanting, carefully pour the soil to the donkey. But not all varieties need pinching - only for those who have a fairly strong growth of shoots. In such, as soon as they grow to 6-7 cm, they need to pinch the shoots above the 4th leaf - so that the bush is wider and more beautiful. You do not need to deepen the seedlings - then, after picking and rooting, you will be able to add more land to it. In the process of picking each plant deepen to the true leaves - so the petunia will develop strong and healthy roots, which are less likely to fall ill.

Now it is important to ensure that the plants do not stretch. To do this, put the already grown sprouts in a cool place - in another month you will be able to plant it in a greenhouse or flower beds. This will be the first of June. Want a petunia to give color earlier? Light up.

A plant blooms from May until autumn, and all this time the garden will delight you with a wealth of colors. Try to grow this flower yourself - you will succeed!

Petunia has long conquered floriculture lovers and became No. 1 among the leaders in the number of varieties, in the number of cultivated specimens, in use in various compositions. It is well acclimatized in flower beds, rabatkah, alpine slides, pots and containers. And it feels excellent everywhere, adding bright, sunny colors to our world. Consider what kind of petunia is needed for growing from seed and when to plant seedlings.

Plant virtues

Why did the plant become so popular in a fairly short time? After all, growing petunias from seeds is not an easy task. But flower growers deal with these problems, because they know what the result will be: a chic, bright bush covered with simple or terry flowers, with a wonderful aroma. It is worth working for it!

And the qualities that distinguish it from other colors are numerous:

cold resistance, which is especially appreciated by residents of the northern regions,
unpretentiousness and ease of growing,
you can grow yourself and not buy seedlings in flower centers,
has many shapes and shades
many varieties are fragrant,
good in single and group landings
blooms throughout the summer.

In addition, hybrids (F1), completely unique in their survival rate, abundant blooms, and a variety of forms, are on sale. There are plenty to choose from and create a unique flower arrangement.

Seed selection

Breeders offer a huge selection of seeds. It's great, but the choice must be approached consciously. Remember that next year hybrids will not give you a flowery waterfall, such seeds are used once. Look at the expiration date on the package, because the seeds are so “pecked” for a long time, and it will be unpleasant if they do not sprout at all.

Choose seeds based on your needs. What compositions do you want to create, what dreams and fantasies to embody? Maybe we need cascade or ampelnoe petunias. May be interesting terry shape or simple, but that the flavor surrounded your home.

Be sure to read the characteristic on the back of the package, and the shape of the plant itself will become clear, how much space it will take, what diameter the flower will be. Now they sell all the seeds, mostly drafted, wrapped in a nourishing film. In packing them a little. And, as a rule, they are expensive. But do not take the money, because you need a good result. A beautiful, lush petunia originates from a small seed.

Soil composition and capacity for sowing

It is best to use containers with transparent lids (can be heated), in which plastic or peat jars, peat tablets, egg trays are placed. There are universal containers for sale: with jars inside, with a lid, with heating. All conditions in order to be able to grow petunia from seed at home.

Tip: you can take different containers for planting, but remember that the seeds are very small, so the first time you need to cover the top with glass or transparent material to preserve moisture.

The composition of the soil consists of leaf soil, peat, fine sand and humus. That is, the mixture turns light and nutritious at the same time. The mixture should sift and be sure to steam for 1 hour (from diseases and weeds). At the bottom of the tank you can pour a layer of small gravel, you can also make a hole (which is best) so that the root system consumes the necessary amount of water. Petunia when growing from seeds at home is painful for the lack of moisture, so the soil should not dry out.

Pour the ground into each container, not reaching 1 cm. Up to the top (for watering), slightly compact it, otherwise the seed may “fall” into the soil. In the center of the jar make a small recess for landing.

Tip: It is desirable that the container was under one plant, and it could be removed without damaging the roots when you planted in a permanent place.

Rules for growing seedlings of petunias from seeds

The main question of flower growers is: “When to plant petunia out of seeds with subsequent cultivation in the open field?” After all, large seedlings will hardly take root, and small plants will not have time to please us with flowers throughout the summer.

Petunias should be sown at home not earlier than mid-March, when the daylight will be longer, and the seedlings will be medium in size. You can plant the seeds in the last days of February, but in this case, additional lighting is required. Seed germination requires a high room temperature - +25 degrees.

How to grow seedlings of petunias? Consider a few ways:

The seeds are mixed with sand, evenly scattered over the surface of the earth mixture, sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with captivity.
If the seeds are coated (coated with a nutrient sheath), then each seed can be placed separately in a peat tablet, making a small depression in it and closing it with a film.
Soil a little soil soil, top with snow pour a small layer of 1-1.5 cm .. Evenly spread the seeds on the snow. It will melt, and the seeds will be on the surface of the soil. Cover the container with glass, place in a warm, well-lit place. You can put a desk lamp nearby.
In each separate peat pot, place the seed and cover with foil. Put the pots in the pan. So you are more comfortable to follow the shoots, and the excess moisture will be collected at the bottom of the pan.

Tip: Seeds of this flower culture are small in size and do not need to be covered with earth. But they need moisture: constant spraying is necessary as well as regular airing.

It can be concluded that growing petunia from seeds is troublesome, but the result will exceed all your expectations!

Features of care for flower seedlings

If you do not have specific knowledge of how to grow petunia seedlings, then tell about it in stages:

At home, growing petunias independently from seeds does not pose such complexity, because it is constantly supervised, and if you correctly follow all the rules of care, the seedlings will be strong and strong.

Tip: root picking should be done when the plant has already formed and has 4-5 leaves, i.e. when the plant is strong enough for such a procedure. Plants in peat tablets do not peep.

The front of work is big, but now there shouldn't be any questions about how to grow a petunia, therefore success in the form of bright, flower beds is guaranteed.

Foreword

How to grow seedlings of petunias correctly, because these flowers are considered quite capricious? We learn to choose seeds for planting, pick picking and feeding seedlings.

To grow these fragile flowers in your garden, you must carefully consider the choice of variety and seed, taking into account some of the features:

Curly (ampelous) varieties are poorly suited for planting in open ground. They are best grown in pots, while planting can be carried out quite tightly, so that the plant looked lush.
Drainage seeds, which are coated with fertilizer and nutrients, are considered to be a good option for planting in open ground. However, you will have to carefully control the watering, because due to an insufficient amount of moisture, the shell simply does not dissolve, which means the seeds will not germinate.
Choose not a mixture, and the individual varieties of petunia. Also try to buy seeds only from trusted suppliers, and not with it.

Young seedlings of petunias

When choosing seeds, it is advisable to give preference to fresh seed. Therefore, carefully study all the recommendations of the manufacturer, indicated on the packaging with seed. Terms of cultivation of culture depend on when you plant seedlings on a flower bed. In central Russia, work is usually carried out in mid-June, and the seedlings after planting need about 12 weeks to get stronger.

Also consider varieties. Amun petunia requires the most time for growth, and small-flowered varieties of plants bloom in the first place, because these varieties can be planted first.

So that the cultivation of petunia is successful, choose the right soil. Petunias need loose and fertile ground. It is better, of course, to make it yourself, using peat, turf, humus in a ratio of 2: 2, also add one part of the sand. Mix the "ingredients" thoroughly and sift them to avoid lumps.

Petunia seedling in a pot

You can also purchase ready-made soil mixture, which should be improved before planting seeds. At 5 kg of soil you need to add 0.5 kg of ash, 250 g of perlite and a spoonful of any potash fertilizer. Seedlings in this soil will grow quickly and successfully. Also remember about the drainage, for the creation of which you can take expanded clay. Pour it in a container on the bottom, on top - the soil. If you use drainage, moisture will flow to the roots of the plant evenly.

When sowing seeds there are a few tricks:

Do not sow the seed too deeply, sprinkling it with earth. Carefully spread the seeds on the ground using a toothpick or tweezers.
Some gardeners use a hydrogel impregnated with a solution of fertilizers or peat tablets as a substrate, soaking them in warm water before planting. Such methods are much more convenient than planting petunias on seedlings.
As a container for growing seedlings is much more convenient to use plastic containers with a lid. You will still have to close the seedlings, which will allow you to get a greenhouse for plant shoots.

Novice gardeners often use milk cartons for growing their seedlings. Doing so is not recommended. First of all, as a result of watering such a container can leak. Another reason - cardboard containers are an ideal haven for the development of bacteria.

Plant seeds very carefully, observing a number of rules, which we will tell you about below. So, before planting the seed, process the prepared soil in addition to treat with any antiseptic, for example, a solution of potassium permanganate. Do not forget about the creation of favorable conditions for the development of petunia - moderate watering and temperatures around +25 ° C. It is important to ensure that the temperature does not grow, otherwise the sprouts will quickly grow and be more susceptible to diseases.

Planting petunias with seeds

After planting, the seeds of petunia, unlike many other plants, should not be watered in any case - they are rather small and due to watering can go deep into the ground and as a result do not germinate.

Therefore, in the first week you need to spray seedlings only from a spray bottle. You can also add a couple of potassium permanganate crystals to the water, which will additionally disinfect the soil.

It is also advisable to close containers with film or any non-woven material in order to create a greenhouse effect for future seedlings.

Growing petunias is a rather lengthy process, so you should not expect the first shoots to appear quickly. And all because petunia primarily develops the root system, and only after that sends all the energy to the formation of green mass and flowers.

To get good seedlings, after the appearance of the first shoots, you need to follow some important rules for watering. First of all, the stream of water should be directed strictly at the root, and not at the green part of the seedlings. If water droplets are noticed on the leaves of the flowers, they should be carefully shaken off. After watering, the soil should be loosened each time to avoid the formation of a dense crust, due to which oxygen will not be able to flow to the root system.

Petunia seedling

After the seedlings germinate a little and reach a length of about 3-5 cm, it is necessary to carry out the first picking - transplanting seedlings into separate containers. To do this, prepare the usual plastic cups of 0.2 liters, but no less - even in such young seedlings there is a well-developed root system that needs space. Prepare a soil mixture (exactly the same as when planting seeds), then begin to gently reach the developed plants and transplant them into new containers, deepening the plant to the first leaf.

After disembarking, water each petunia a little. Caring for young seedlings should include the following:

Good lighting. If the seedlings spiked out in March, the light day should be extended using additional lighting of the containers with the seedlings.
Temperature, which should be within + 23-25 ° C.
After picking, leave the seedlings alone for a couple of days, letting them get used to the new place. After the petunia has taken root, you can lower the temperature to +15 ° C at night and about +20 ° C during the day.

Do not forget to protect the seedlings from drafts. At this stage it is necessary to begin to control the shape of the plants by pinching the strongly growing shoots.

How to grow petunia seedlings in special? Tablets have some advantages - low cost and ease of use. And the most important advantage is that they improve the quality of seedlings. The method is convenient because it does not require a picking, because the peat contains all the trace elements necessary for the seedlings.

Growing plants in peat tablets

How to use these pills? Get them first. At the same time, the size of the tablets should be about 4 cm. After that, place them in plastic cartridges and cover with warm water, after which the material will swell and become larger. Using a toothpick, gently make a small hole in the tablet and place a seed in the hole.

Each cassette needs to be covered with foil, which will ensure quick germination of the seed. at the same time be sure to remove the small mesh, which wrapped the pills - this will allow the seeds to germinate faster. Every day, remove the film and ventilate the seedlings, removing condensate. In the future, care for such seedlings is exactly the same as for plants that will grow in ordinary soil.

Planted flowers in open ground about 3 months after planting seeds. When planting, it is necessary to assess the quality of the soil and the location of the flowerbed. So, petunia prefers bright places, because the flower bed should be made in an open and un-shaded place. The soil should be loose and non-clayey. If you plant ampelnye varieties in the pot, then for cultivation it is better to prepare a soil mixture in which such ingredients as sand, peat, turf, and leaf earth should be present. You can add a little perlite, which will give the earth extra friability.

Seedlings of petunias for transplantation in open ground

The distance between the bushes should be about 15 cm for small-color varieties and about 25 cm for plants with large flowers. It is quite simple to care for a plant in a flower bed: water and feed the plant 2–3 weeks after planting the petunias to a permanent place. The following feeding scheme is recommended:

in the first week we pour petunia with a mixture of water and humates;
in the second week we water with potassium sulphate.

Subsequently, the number of dressings should be increased to several times a week. At the same time try to alternate foliar dressing and spraying of plants, which will give the maximum effect. It is especially important to carry out feeding, growing in pots or containers, because in such containers the substrate is quickly exhausted and becomes unsuitable for plant development.

Growing plants in the open field is accompanied by foliar dressing with the addition of potassium humate, urea, magnesium. For adult plants, it is desirable to use special fertilizers for petunias, which can be purchased at the store. In mid-July, the bush is pruned, leaving a trunk about 12 cm long above the ground. This stimulates the growth of lateral shoots, which ensures flowering even until autumn.

If you follow all the rules of agricultural engineering (proper watering and fertilization of the soil), petunias rarely get sick. However, there are several fungal diseases that are dangerous for these plants. These include the “black leg”, powdery mildew (which also affects grapes),. The main causes of diseases in too dense planting, as well as a strong waterlogging of the earth. To rid the flowers of the "black leg", follow some rules:

do not thicken landing;
remember moderate watering;
remove affected plants.

If the plant is still sick, it is necessary to carry out the treatment with the help of products that contain ingredients such as mancoceb or oxadixyl.

Mealy dew on leaves

Gray and white rot can also occur as a result of poor lighting and excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers. To combat them, it is necessary to ensure uniform watering, to maintain a stable temperature, without differences, not to forget about the control over the density of plantings. The most effective drugs against the disease include “Integral”, “Maxim” and “Skor”.

Another terrible disease is powdery mildew, which affects plants with high humidity, lack of light and sudden temperature changes. The main signs of powdery mildew are the formation of white bloom on leaves. For prevention, it is better to use an aqueous solution of foundation.

Pest insects can also attack petunia: aphid, spider mite, whitefly butterfly, against which other means should be used. First you need to identify the pest. If it is a whitefly, the plant will quickly turn yellow and then wither. To quickly cope with the insect, you need to use the drugs "Condifor" or "Aktellik." Defining aphids is even easier - on the leaves you will notice small droplets of syrup. Noticing aphids, be sure to treat the bushes with drugs "Decis" or "Aktara."

Thrips pests are very small, therefore it is simply impossible to notice them without special equipment. Therefore, you should pay attention to indirect signs:

black fine excrement;
silver lesions on the leaves.

To destroy thrips, use "Aktar" or "Confidor". And against spider mites, it is better to use drugs such as "Neoron" or "Demit".

The homeland of this beautiful perennial of the Pasan family is the tropics of South America. But even in our mid-latitudes, it feels excellent, delighting the eye with long flowering, pomp, brightness and an abundance of shades of large flowers. Speech about petunias.

Of course, you can buy ready-made correct seedlings of this southern beauty in the store, but if you want to surprise your acquaintances with an unusual color or the appearance of some special hybrid, you will have to learn how to grow petunia from seeds yourself. This is not very difficult, but some nuances will have to be taken into account, and we will help you.

Step 1. Selection of petunia seeds

The seeds of petunias themselves are very small, so many gardeners prefer the drafted varieties. On the one hand, because of the size, it is more convenient to sow them, on the other hand, there is a risk that if there is an insufficient amount of moisture, the shell does not dissolve well and will prevent seedlings. There is no clear advice, the choice is yours.

Stage 2. Selection of landing dates

On average, a healthy petunia should bloom 10-12 weeks after planting. Therefore, the timing of planting petunias for seedlings depends on when you want to see flowering plants.

When to sow petunia on seedlings? Planting petunia on seedlings at home can begin as early as the middle of winter. However, provided that you have an additional light source for the full development of sprouts. With its lack of young plants will be thin and frail, will not be able to fight disease.

If you are hoping only for the window sill and the sun, you will have to wait until the beginning, or even the middle of spring, when the light day is increased enough to help the seedlings gain strength. However, it is also important not to delay the time here, otherwise the bloom will noticeably move away in time.

If you follow the lunar calendar, then in 2018 it is not recommended to plant petunia on seedlings on the days of the new moon (February 26, March 28) and the full moon (February 11, March 12). The most favorable dates are the intervals from February 13 to 16, as well as March 14-15 and March 20-22.

Stage 3. Seed preparation for sowing

Before you do the actual sowing of petunias for seedlings, you should take care to choose the right soil and suitable containers, as well as the location of the future "kindergarten".

To start, prepare shallow (about 10 cm) wooden or plastic boxes. Disinfect them with any antiseptic (Biotex, Antizhuk, Ecobio, Biosept), and place an additional piece of paper on the bottom of wooden containers.

Then, placing a little bit of expanded clay on the bottom of the boxes to prevent seedlings from rotting, fill containers with 2/3 of the height with prepared sifted soil.

The soil for seedling petunias may be different, here are some possible options:

ready-made soil mixture, bought in a specialty store;
a mixture of fertile soil and hydrogel (previously soaked in a suitable fertilizer) in a 1: 1 ratio;
a mixture of humus, turf, lowland peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 2: 1.

Stage 4. Sowing petunias for seedlings

How to sow petunia seedlings? Before planting the seeds, the prepared soil should be shed with boiling water or calcined in the oven to destroy possible pests (especially if you prepared the soil mixture yourself). It is useful to additionally shed the ground with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Petunia seeds (it is more convenient to use thin tweezers or a toothpick) sow on the surface of the treated, cooled and damp soil, do not sprinkle the soil on top. If you use pelleted seeds, then to successfully dissolve the granules, you should additionally spray them on the ground with water from a spray bottle (not from a watering can! Otherwise the seeds may needlessly dive deep into the ground).

There are several other ways of sowing small seeds, if this seems difficult to you.

Then cover the container with transparent polyethylene or glass to create greenhouse conditions for the seeds (and then the young sprouts). This option will save you from the need for daily watering and the option to damage just sprouted shoots. However, it is necessary to ensure that the condensate does not accumulate in excess - the glass (film) should be turned over to the dry side every day, and the ascended crops be aired (starting from 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increasing this time to 15-20 minutes).

Drained seeds to facilitate germination are sometimes advised to plant in peat tablets 3.5-4.5 cm in diameter. They are initially soaked in water, after swelling they drain excess water and, placing tablets in a tray, just one petunia seed is laid out on each surface . For better dissolution of the shell, you can additionally drip from the top of the granule with water from a pipette. After a few minutes, you can "help" the seeds by gently smearing the softened shell. Then peat tablets are placed in a tray and just like in the case described above, they are covered with a transparent lid and put in a bright and warm place.

If the seeds were fresh, and the sowing technology is observed - wait for the first shoots for the 3-4th day. Older seeds for the whole process may need more time (up to 10 days).

It’s not worth waiting for seedlings for more than two weeks - even if the seeds sprout, the sprouts will be greatly weakened, and healthy plants are unlikely to be obtained.

Stage 5. Petunia seedling care

Petunia shoots are very small, so in the first days after the appearance they need very careful care.

Light mode. Placement of containers with future seedlings should be bright, otherwise you will not even get shoots. In the first days of growth, illumination can be practically around the clock, in the future a 11-12 hour daylight day will be enough for a plant. If there is a lack of light, the backlight should be used (phytolamps, fluorescent or LED lamps that are installed at a height of about 20 cm above the seedlings), with an excess of direct sunlight, periodically shade the site or temporarily remove the boxes to another location.

Temperature mode. The temperature content of trays with germinating crops should be around 22-25 ° C (hybrid petunias are especially capricious in this regard). If the temperature is lower, the plants may not rise, if it is higher, they are more likely to get sick. As soon as sprouts appear, for the "hardening" of plants, the temperature of the content should be reduced: to 18-20 ° C during the day and 14-16 ° C at night. This can be achieved, for example, by moving the trays with seedlings away from the battery.

When the first true leaves appear, you can finally remove the protective film (glass).

Watering petunias. The moisture regime is also very important for seedlings: an excess of moisture can contribute to plant rotting or infection by a fungus (black leg), and the lack of - to the drying of petunias.

In the first week it is enough to spray the soil with seeds 1-2 times a day with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Emerged shoots will require daily watering.

Water suitable for these purposes soft, defended, without chlorine, room temperature, you can take the melt water. You can water the seedlings in the "lower" way (through the tray), you can pour water on the inner walls of the tray, and you can - drip from a syringe directly under the roots of the seedlings.

In cloudy weather it is best to water the seedlings in the morning, and in the sunny - in the evening.

Top dressing of seedlings of petunias. Very weak shoots 1-2 times over the entire period can be sprayed with a growth stimulator (Appin, Hetero-Auxin, Bouton, Ovary, Pollen). After 6-7 days after the appearance of the sprouts, you can feed them with mineral fertilizers (repeat this procedure no earlier than after 10 days).

Stage 6. Sampling the seedlings of petunias

The correct seedling of petunia is ready for picking at the stage of 2-3 real (not cotyledon!) Leaves. This time usually comes 3-4 weeks after sowing.

In principle, plant picking at the stage of cotyledon leaves is also possible. This may be especially true in case of a black leg disease, when it is necessary to isolate healthy plants from patients.

Picks - transfer of seedlings from one common to separate, larger containers for their best development. For the picking, prepare for each seedling a separate container with a diameter of at least 7 cm, with openings for outflow of excess moisture at the bottom. Using a wooden stick or dessert spoon, carefully pick up a clod of earth with the roots under the plant and transfer it to the “new house”, where some of the fresh soil, preferably already moisturized and enriched with humus or granulated fertilizer, is already compared to the initial one. The seedling is placed in the hole so that the cotyledons are visible above the soil level.

By the way, if you sowed seeds in peat tablets, then this stage of care can be safely missed, which is important for novice gardeners who are afraid of severely damaging the root system during this process. Seedlings are placed in new pots right in the "parent" tablets.

After 1.5-2 weeks after the dive, the plants are considered to be sufficiently “adults” to continue their hardening. Young petunia can be gradually converted to a temperature regime of about 15 ° C at night and 18 ° C during the day. This can be achieved by regular airing of the room or temporary, but systematic removal of seedlings to the open air. Plus, every 14 days you can feed with complex fertilizer for flowers (according to the instructions).

Stage 7. Growing Petunias: Pinching

At this stage, the appearance of an already grown plant is formed. If we want to see our petunia as a beautiful branching thick bush, at the stage of the appearance of three or four pairs of true leaves, you need to pinch it - with your fingers, gently break off the top of the central shoot with a growth point. New shoots will grow from the sinuses of the remaining leaves, and the bush will turn out lush.

Pinching seedlings can be repeated after a couple of weeks - this way even more shoots and, respectively, flower buds form in petunia.

Stage 8. Planting of seedlings of petunia in open ground

Before planting in the ground, seedlings of petunias should be already hardened enough to spend the day in the open air.

In the middle lane, the planting should be carried out after 12-14 weeks from the date of sowing of seeds (usually this period falls on the end of May - the beginning of June).

If this is not a balcony pot, but a garden plot, choose a well-lit place with fertile loamy soil, dig it up and add fertilizer. Try to land the landing in the evening (when the sun is not so active) or in cloudy weather.

The distance between plants at the time of planting depends on their variety (from 20 cm for small-flowered petunias to 30 cm for ampel varieties), and the depth of the holes must be at least 10 cm.

Pre-seedlings are well spilled in pots, and then, together with an earthen ball, rolled into the prepared hole.

The land between plants can be mulched humus or peat, and the plants themselves in the first days must be protected from direct sunlight.

So, congratulations - the seedlings of petunia flowers have successfully passed all stages of their development, and it remains only to wish you a rich and colorful flowering!

We hope you have seen that growing petunia seedlings at home is not difficult, although it does require certain skills and abilities.