Petunia is called the queen of the garden. Each gardener planting this plant hopes to get a beautiful flowering ball in its area. How to make flowering plentiful and long, we will tell in this article.
Space to the roots
The roots of the plant require space, as they grow well, so petunias are planted at a certain distance from each other:
- 30 cm for varieties forming large bushes;
- 25 cm for varieties with large flowers;
- 20 cm for small flowers.
If seedlings are planted in flowerpots, you should be guided by the following rule - on one bush 5 liters of land.
Quality land
Petunia grows well on sandy loam and loam, in open sunny areas. Before landing, compost or humus must be added. To create a good breathable soil, the earth is also mixed with peat, ash can be added.
Planting seedlings is carried out together with a lump of land, preferably in the evening, not earlier than the second half of May. After planting, the plant is abundantly watered, and the next day mulch to prevent evaporation of moisture.
Regular feeding
The plant is very fond of regular feeding. The first fertilizer application is made a week after planting in the ground.
At the very beginning, it is necessary to use nitrogen fertilizers, so that the bush grows faster. A little later, to stimulate flowering, phosphorus and potassium mixtures, for example, potassium monophosphate, are used. They must be introduced when the buds begin to form.
In case of yellow spots on the leaves, it is necessary to use the iron chelate preparation. Processing is carried out 3 or 4 times with an interval of several days.
Feeding for petunias is carried out at least once every five days. Fertilizers are applied both by the root and extra-root method.
Ample watering
Watering is done in the evening every day or every other day, under the roots of the plant, so as not to damage the flowers. On a hot summer day, this procedure is carried out twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. The next day, weeding and loosening of the soil is mandatory to prevent crusting.
Petunias love heavy watering, with a lack of moisture, flowering weakens, but it is important to prevent waterlogging, in which case fungal diseases can occur. If the plant is in a pot or flowerpot, drainage is necessary.
Plant formation
When gardeners buy a small plant with young seedlings, it is necessary to make the first pick, pinch a twig over the third leaf. The length of the separated shoot should be 3-4 cm. This is best done with the apex so that the lateral branches grow. To form a beautiful flowering ball, it is also necessary to pinch the lateral stems when they grow 10-15 cm in length.
An important procedure is the removal of faded flowers that take a lot of energy from the plant. Such a simple action will lead to better formation of new buds.
Observing these simple rules, you can get a beautiful plant that will delight you with flowers from the end of May to October.
