Cultivation of ampelian petunia is a fascinating process

Petunia is a perennial plant, but it is grown in our country as an annual. Varieties of her set a lot. They can be divided into large-flowered, small-flowered, dwarfish and ampel. Ampelles are called varieties that form dangling long shoots. They look great in hanging flowerpots.

To cultivate ampelian petunia did not cause grief and disappointment, you need to know what conditions for lush flowering are required, and observe them. A well-lit sunny place is needed. Soil is preferable to neutral or weakly acidic. Watering abundant, despite the ramified root system. These plants are famous "gluttons", they need regular feeding (every 10 days).

Petunias, depending on the variety, blossom in 70-90 days from shoots. If you want to achieve early flowering, then the planting of petunia should be carried out in February, however, seedlings require additional lighting. March sowing does not need lighting.

Cultivation of ampelic petunia begins with the purchase of quality seeds, preferably dragee, in a special shell. They need sunlight for germination, a temperature of about 23 ^° C and an air humidity of 94-97%.

In the prepared container with a drainage hole pour nutrient air-permeable soil, moisten evenly from the spray gun. Gently distribute the seeds on the surface, slightly pressing them. The container with crops is placed in a transparent bag or covered with glass, put in a bright warm place. Crops are daily aired by removing condensation from the glass or turning the bag. When drying the soil - sprayed with water.

Petunia shoots appear on the 7-14 day after sowing. After the germination of the first seed, the package (or glass) should be better removed, with more careful monitoring of humidity. You can spray or water more often very carefully, trying not to nail the gentle shoots to the soil (it is convenient to use a pipette). It is desirable to lower the temperature to 18-20 ⁰ C in the daytime and at night to 14-16 ⁰ C, so that the seedlings are not stretched.

Petunia picking is carried out when two real leaves appear in the shoots. Traveling on separate tanks, plants are buried to a rosette of leaves, roots are directed downwards. When 5-6 leaves appear, the seedlings need to be pricked (to improve branching).

Cultivation of ampelian petunia is a fascinating process, a bit troublesome, requiring attention, especially in irrigation. If there is a lack of moisture, the shoots can dry up, and if there is an excess, the roots can rot.

The first time the seedlings grow very slowly, at this time the root system is growing. After the 5th week, the growth of the aerial part is accelerated. If grown plants become cramped in small containers, and the time to land in containers has not yet come, then petunias are desirable to be transplanted into larger pots.

Planting grown up, and, perhaps, already flowering, seedlings in containers or hanging pots, you should consider the "appetites" of the plant. In a 5-liter pot, you can plant only 1 plant, in a 10-liter pot - not more than 3, but better. 2. If these recommendations are not observed, flowering will be short-lived, as plants simply do not have enough food, despite the feeding.

Growing ampelia petunia requires constant removal of faded flowers. This stimulates the appearance of new buds and improves the appearance of the plant.

If you manage to grow a particularly beautiful variety and have a desire to have the same for the next year, then you can save the motherhood, and in the spring multiply it with cuttings. And plants grown from cuttings, bloom much earlier than those obtained from seeds.