For the past two centuries, the flower petunia attracts the attention of flower growers and breeders. There are several reasons for this. First, they love her for the wondrous beauty of flowers: bright, large, diverse colors and shapes. Secondly, it has a very long flowering period. Third, petunia is one of the few plants that combines well with other garden crops. And fourth, it is unpretentious in the cultivation and care.
- Features of cascade and super cascade petunias
- Popular varieties of cascade and super cascade petunias
- What love cascade petunias
- Choosing a landing site: what should be the lighting, humidity and temperature
- Pots for growing cascade petunias
- How to plant cascading and super cascade petunias
- Soil requirements
- The technology of landing cascade and super cascade petunias (seeding scheme + terms).
- Proper care of seedlings, feeding cascade petunias (+ transplanting in open ground or in hanging pots)
- How to care for an adult plant
- Features of watering cascade petunias
- Plant nutrition and fertilizer
- Breeding methods for cascade and super cascade petunias
Petunia (Petunia) It belongs to the genus of herbaceous perennials of the nightshade family. It has about 40 species, among which there are annuals. The flower is used for decoration of gardens, city beds, fences, and rooms, balconies, houses.
In this article we will focus on the details of growing cascade or ampelous petunias.
Features of cascade and super cascade petunias
Cascade petunia was bred in the 60s of the nineteenth century as a result of cell hybridization. From all other species, ampelous or “hanging” petunia differs in length and flexibility of stems that grow downward, as if cascading. It grows quickly, grows well. Often hanging cascades petunias can be found in hanging pots on the balconies, window frames, terraces, gazebos, lampposts.
At length shoots of cascade petunias reach 1-2.5 meters. The size, color of flowers, duration of flowering and methods of reproduction vary depending on the type of plant.The main feature of all cascade petunias is resistance to cold and adverse weather conditions.
By the way, sometimes ampelous petunia and cascade petunia are distinguished into separate species, although there are no fundamental differences in their form or in their care.
Popular varieties of cascade and super cascade petunias
We have already said that breeders are not indifferent to petunias. Vivid evidence of this is the many varieties and hybrids of this flower.
All varieties and hybrids of cascade petunias can be divided into three groups:
- with flexible, durable lateral stems that grow downwards;
- with stems that grow up, and as a certain length is reached, they fall down;
- short-lash semi-crayons (super cascade petunia).
Speaking about popular varieties, it is necessary to mention that such a petunia is super cascade. Supercascade - This is a cultivar of a large-flowered petunia, which forms continuously flowering cascades of many large (12 cm in diameter) flowers. It is characterized by early and longer flowering.Forms not very long, but well-branched shoots. This series is often used for planting in balcony boxes, flowerpots, hanging baskets.
What love cascade petunias
Since petunia was originally a resident of hot and humid countries, she loves warmth, plenty of moisture and a long light day. However, in the process of selection, hybrids were bred that endure the absence of these factors. Petunia cascade and its varieties just belong to the category of weather resistant. However, like all plants, when grown, it requires compliance with certain agrotechnical rules.
Choosing a landing site: what should be the lighting, humidity and temperature
Since all petunias are warm and light-loving, if you plant it in the garden, it is better to take care of it to grow in an open, sunny place. In the shade the shoots are too stretched, the leaves become larger, and the flowers are smaller. If you plant it on windows or balconies, then it is better to do it from the south-west or south side.
Petunia is resistant to droughts and excessive moisture, but does not tolerate stagnant water. The plant can withstand temperatures up to -10 ° C.Sensitive to high temperatures.
Petunia is usually easy to tolerate in adverse weather conditions, however, shoots and flowers can be damaged by rain and wind. Therefore, if the flowers grow in pots, in such weather they are best moved to a safe place or think it over in advance.
Pots for growing cascade petunias
When choosing a pot for this plant, it should be borne in mind that it is not recommended to plant more than one flower in a capacity of up to 5 liters. Otherwise, fighting for a place in the sun, they will interfere with each other and lose their decorative effect. In large pots with sizes of 10-14 liters two or three plants can get along. In the case of planting petunias in pots, it is necessary to take into account that the distance between the stems of plants must be at least 15–20 cm.
In the pots with a diameter of 28 cm, 3-5 terry petunias and 5-7 ordinary cascade ones can be planted.
How to plant cascading and super cascade petunias
In order to get beautiful waterfalls and lush flowering from the petunias, it is necessary to adhere to several recommendations for its care and cultivation. They relate to soil requirements, planting and watering technology, fertilizing and nipping.
Soil requirements
Cascade petunias live well in fertile soils, however, they prefer loamy and sandy loam most of all. The ground should be loose, moist, light and neutral in acidity.
For planting in pots, you can use the following soil composition:
- turf ground (2);
- leafy ground (2);
- peat (1);
- coarse river sand (1).
- turf ground (1);
- peat (1);
- humus (1);
- sand (1).
The technology of landing cascade and super cascade petunias (seeding scheme + terms).
A lot depends on the quality of planting material - it’s better to stop your choice on imported seeds. And be sure to buy them only in proven specialized stores.
The recommended time for sowing is February. At home - the end of March. In this case, the flowering need to wait in May and June.
For sowing, it is necessary to take a shallow container with a drainage hole, fill it with the substrate, not getting 1-1.5 cm to the edge. Petunias are sown on the surface of the soil, not sprinkling with earth, otherwise they simply will not germinate. In order to make it easier to level, resort to using a toothpick.
Sown seeds should be sprinkled with water and covered with plastic wrap or glass, paper, and agrotechnical tissue. (Some petunia breeders advise planting seeds in food containers with lids.)
The room where seeds germinate should be well lit, it is important to maintain the temperature in it not lower than + 20 ° С (optimal - + 23 ° С). Since ample plants need a lot of light, it would be very good to arrange additional lighting for 14-20 hours. At home, you can use a fluorescent lamp.
Periodically crops need to be aired (for 10-15 minutes), as well as to check the soil moisture.
Shoots should appear within one to two weeks. If after this period they have not yet appeared, it is not worth waiting for them - either the sprouts will not be at all, or the plants from them will come out weak and unsuitable.
Proper care of seedlings, feeding cascade petunias (+ transplanting in open ground or in hanging pots)
When the ends of the leaflets of the seedlings touch the lid or glass, the container with them should be opened. From now on, it is very necessary to control the soil moisture - it is important not to overdry or pour it. Watering is carried out in the pan or under the root.
As soon as the seedlings can be picked up with your fingers (or with the appearance of three leaves), they need to be picked out - planted in separate containers.
In order for the flowers to give good side shoots and not to stretch out strongly, during this period they need to organize a temperature regime of + 18-20 ° C, at night - + 15 ° C. In no case should water the leaves.
A week after picking, the plants must be fed with a universal complex fertilizer. If the seedlings are weakened, they can be helped with nitrogen fertilizers.
Subject to all recommendations and successful shoots, seedlings will be ready for transplanting into a flower bed by mid-May - early June. If the weather is favorable at the same time, seedlings can be planted in balcony boxes or hanging flower pots.
How to care for an adult plant
When your petunia has grown, you need to continue to control two factors: soil moisture and the presence of nutrients in it. In addition, in order for the petunia to have a beautiful shape and bloom magnificently, you should get rid of the top shoots and extra inflorescences. This is done by pinching. If you are wondering if you need to pinch a cascade petunia, we highly recommend it, since this procedure is necessary for it to properly form and grow.
Primary pinching is done when the bush enters the phase of active growth and the shoots reach a length of 5-7 cm. At this point, the growing point above the fifth leaf is removed.This will allow the side shoots to grow. From the bosom of each leaf grows a new shoot. Perform this procedure on a monthly basis.
They also hold a weekly pinch of petunia cascade, removing excess buds along with seed pods. So you will help the plant to bloom more abundantly, because the removal of the ovary stimulates the development of new flower buds.
Features of watering cascade petunias
It is necessary to water a petunia daily, during the dry period - twice a day. Water should infiltrate the entire soil, from top to bottom, as evidenced by its leakage through the drainage holes. Also, plants will enjoy the daily spraying of the spray. It is advisable to put the pots weekly in a container with cold water. With the onset of cold weather, the amount of watering is reduced.
Plant nutrition and fertilizer
The key to good growth and flowering plants is its regular feeding. During the flowering period of once every two weeks, petunia must be fertilized with a full complex fertilizer for flowers, preferably with a predominance of potassium and magnesium.
Breeding methods for cascade and super cascade petunias
In addition to the seed method, cascade petunia can multiply vegetatively. To do this in the fall should select healthy, well-developed plants, which later become maternal. The biggest problem with reproduction in this way will be to ensure proper conditions for the preservation of queen cells - good long-term illumination and temperature conditions of + 12-15 ° C. The cuttings are carried out in February-March. For cuttings use the upper parts of the shoots with a length of 4-6 cm. They are immediately planted in the substrate and covered with a film or lutrasil.
For root formation, a temperature of + 20-22 ° C is suitable. Under normal conditions, roots are formed in 6-10 days. After another 10-12 days, the cuttings can be planted in pots, after pinching their tops for the proper formation of cascade petunias.
So, we have analyzed in detail how it is necessary to cultivate cascade and super cascade petunia and under what conditions it is necessary to grow it. Following these recommendations, you will definitely be able to grow beautiful waterfalls from flowers that will delight you with their bloom throughout the summer.
