Petunia on the balcony: selection of seeds and fineness of cultivation

Looking at the pictures of European cities and seeing abundantly flowering plants on balconies and in window boxes, you are lighting up the idea to embody such beauty in yourself. For this purpose, petunia is ideal . Its flowers , depending on the variety, can be any color: simple and terry, small and large, monochrome and variegated, with smooth edges and fringes. The choice for today is simply huge.

Petunia is a perennial plant belonging to the family of Solanaceae. In our country, given the climate, it is grown as an annual. In indoor floriculture it is not customary to use it.

Growing petunia on the balcony dramatically reduces the choice, as not all varieties can bloom for a long time. While the plant is young, it looks attractive, but by July shoots are bare, and new ones are no longer formed.

In order not to feel disappointed and not to rush about in search of a suitable variety, you need to purchase seeds of cascade petunia, for example, the Typhoon series. Of these seeds, unusually powerful plants grow with a lot of solid long branching stalks, not hanging, but growing lateral shoots. Blossoms such petunia on the balcony until frost.

It is desirable to sow seeds in February or early March. On the disinfected moistened soil, decompose them and do not sprinkle them on top. Cover the container with a bag or glass, put on a light sill. Periodically aerate and moisturize from the spray gun. When the first sprout appears, package (glass) is removed. When three real leaves are formed, the plants should be planted in separate containers.

Immediately to the balcony box should not be planted, since it will be difficult to regulate watering, and if waterlogged seedlings can be struck black leg and die. Given that the seeds in the pack is small (usually no more than 5 pcs.), You should not take risks.

2 weeks after the picking, the first fertilizing with a complex flower fertilizer is necessary. Once the roots have mastered the earth clod (to be visible, it is convenient to use transparent cups), plants must be transplanted to a permanent place.

Petunia on the balcony should be illuminated as much as possible by the sun's rays. Irrigation should be alternated with top dressing. In a five-liter container it is not necessary to plant more than 2 plants. That plants do not lose an attractive appearance, faded flowers should be periodically removed. If the seeds and ripen, then they will not grow the same plants, because the cascade series are hybrids.

Petunia on the balcony under the influence of wind can break. In this case, two options are possible. The first: to root off the broken off shoot (if it is long, it is worth cutting into pieces) in water, and then planted. Second: do not touch it, because the series "Typhoon" differs from others ability to recover.

If the petunia on the balcony is so good that you do not want to lose it, you can save the motherhood until the next season. Before freezing, cut the shoots, leaving about 10 cm, and then keep the plant in a cool light spot. For a while, petunia can still blossom, and then it seems to freeze. Watering during this period should be meager, no additional dressing is required. To prevent mildew, the plant can be watered with a solution of phytosporin. In spring, with increasing daylight hours, feeding renewed, increasing the share of nitrogen fertilizers. Growling shoots can be cut and planted if more plants are needed.

Petunia on the balcony, the same as in European photos - this is the pride of the florist and delight for the eyes of passers-by.