The selection of varieties here is usually enormous. One of the advantages of growing petunias from seed is that you can get a much wider choice of available petunia types. Place the tray in a warm and bright location. Give Them Plenty of Light. We recommend the Black Gold Seedling Mix and the 20 Row Seedling Flat. Knowing your frost dates can help you decide when to start your seeds indoors. Proper petunia care involves removing spent blooms and the seeds they may produce. However, most petunia varieties will bloom throughout the summer, except in extreme heat. They need a sunny spot and grow best with regular watering, plus a liquid plant food every two to three weeks. Petunia seeds are very small (dust-like!) At temperatures above 15C (59F) basal branching is restricted, the main stem grows more quickly and flowering is hastened. If you want the earliest summer colour and nice sized, bushy petunia plants to place in the garden after the last frosts in May/June, it’s a good idea to sow petunia seeds 12 weeks ahead of your expected last frost. Start Early. According to Floridata, seeds should be planted in good garden soil about 12-18 inches apart. The original Wave variety is good for hanging baskets, beds, and planters. Plant the seedlings 10 to 12 weeks in advance of when you plan to transplant them (recommended in early … more blooms. Petunias can be germinated from seed. [1] X Research source Grandiflora have the largest flowers and are the most commonly-used type of petu… Growing Petunias from Seeds. Required fields are marked *. Petunia plants need to be acclimatised to outside condition before planting out (when all danger of frost has passed) at 30cm apart, in an open sunny position. Shake the packet to mix sand and seed, then slowly tap it to release the mixture over the surface of your compost. They also require no deadheading. Need help with seed starting? Take care not to over water them and make sure that you acclimatize them to outdoor conditions over a few days before you move them outside permanently. Germinated petunia seeds will present sprouts seven to 10 days after planting. You can grow petunias from seeds, but it is easier to grow them from transplants. Fertilize once a month. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If you fancy growing your petunias from seed, the following tips should help:- 1) Sow your seeds from February to late April, using a peat-based seed compost which needs to be moist but not wet. Propagation by sowing is very successful and uncomplicated. Pick your type of petunia. Pelleted seeds are easier to space when planting, reducing the need to thin later, and can be used with a hand-held seeder. Petunia seeds are very small and needs lots of light in order to germinate. The temperature for germination should be between 18-24C (64-75F) at seed level and this can usually be provided in a heated propagator, if this is not available, seal sowing trays in a clear polythene bag in a warm room of … Flatten the surface of the soil and press lightly then water. They are prolific bloomers, although some forms require deadheading to keep them going. Originally from South America, petunias are a trumpet shaped flower and mostly grown as annuals in the US (although the can be perennials in zones 9-12). Comments will be approved before showing up. It will overflow the edges, making a lovely cascade. Normally, a petunia plant starts to exist from a seed within 10 to 12 days from planting the seeds. Use a seed starting mix, available at most garden centers, to grow your seeds indoors. Unfortunately this also delays the appearance of the first flowers. In the north, this is around the first week of … One for Petunias, next one for … If you already have petunias at home, you can also harvest the seeds yourself. All the best The coating easily dissolves in moisture. Sowing in seed trays. You may wish to add vermiculite or sharp sand to improve drainage. #petunias #growingpetunias #flowers Peat-based composts are still the best option for sowing petunia seeds. The year round source for the home gardener since 1979! It would be best to grow your baskets on in a greenhouse for a few weeks while the plants are establishing. They come in almost every COLOR! Water the area with a fine mist so as to not over-water. Multiflora is a great choice for flower beds and containers and give them a try for your cutting garden. This has more than likely come about by poor sowing techniques or bad compost rather than poor seed performance. Cover the seeds with soil (about 1/8 inch layer), and water lightly. Petunias are moderately easy to grow from seed, and extremely easy to grow from commercially grown seedlings. Look for these next season as we try them in our trial garden. Whatever happened to to the old fashioned petunias that emitted a pleasant fragrance on a warm summer night? One major advantage to this variety is they are sturdier against wind and rain. Fluorescent lights are suitable for a … If you have the opportunity to arrange additional light for seedlings, then sowing of petunia seeds to grow seedlings can be carried out in February. Containers and double-flower varieties require additional fertilization for the optimal growing. You can grow petunias from seeds, but it is easier to grow them from transplants. Many of our mail-order catalog partners sell Wave petunia seed packets, and you often can find unique colors you may not find in stores. Sow petunia seeds indoors in early spring in a flat filled with well-drained potting soil. Use petunias everywhere there is sun. About 10 weeks before your last frost date: Fill eggshells with potting soil. Remember to water them. You can choose to use lights, like the. HOW TO GROW PETUNIA FROM SEED. About 10 weeks before your last frost date: Fill eggshells with potting soil. While many people buy petunias in six-packs at the nursery, it is incredibly simple to grow petunias from seeds. This is best achieved by covering the seed pots with polythene or glass and a sheet of newspaper to reflect strong light, so the surface of the compost does not heat up too much, but some light still penetrates. You can buy petunias as seeds, seedlings, small flowering pot plants (bloomers) or as flowering hanging baskets. It does them no good to plant them early in the garden, as they’ll just sit and sulk or rot. Petunias need to be started from seed around 10-12 weeks before you want to plant them outdoors. Place the tray in a warm and bright location. That’s right about the time you’ll start wondering why your petunias … Gently press the seeds into the surface of good-quality seed compost and keep damp with a mist sprayer. It’s wrong to assume that all seeds can be sown the same way. The first week of June is a safe bet for planting in most of the UK, therefore petunia seeds are best sown in March. Kris Collins works as Thompson & Morgan’s communications officer, making sure customers new and old are kept up to date on the latest plant developments and company news via a wide range of media sources. If you already have petunias at home, you can also harvest the seeds yourself. Propagate petunias: Sowing seeds yourself. When large enough to handle, prick out plants individually into cell trays or small pots and grow on … Remember to water them. The selection of varieties here is usually enormous. Sow your Wave petunia seed into a moistened germination media or potting soil. Sow petunia seeds as soon as favorable climatic conditions arrive, either directly in flower garden or indoors in seed trays. Place your seeds in grow cells. Every seed ‘wants’ to grow, some just need a few more specific requirements. It’s wrong to assume that all seeds can be sown the same way. The T&M blog has a wealth of knowledgeable contributors. What is your favorite variety to grow? It is easy to find a petunia that works well with your planting needs. Proper light, water, and fertilization when caring for petunias will ensure a long season of beautiful blooms. Tuck petunias in between evergreen shrubs to brighten the area. Wave petunias can be grown from seed, using a seeding tray and soilless mixture. Growing petunias from seed Petunia from seed: sowing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. and needs lots of light in order to germinate. Geranium pests, diseases and other problems, Introducing Thompson & Morgan’s little book of garden wisdom, Trouble Shooting your Geranium growing problems, The sweetest tomato you’ll ever taste – or your money back. Six to eight weeks before you expect the last frost, scatter seeds lightly on the surface of a planting tray filled with potting soil. Remove the plastic sheet as soon as the seeds start sprouting. Sow the seeds … The low growing types are ideal for the front of a flower border, in planters near doorways and pools, or on patios. Transplant seedlings once they have produced two true leaves. Petunias need at least six hours of sun, but full sun from morning to mid-afternoon brings on their best performance. The seedlings grow slowly and are not ready to plant outdoors until 10 to 12 weeks after sowing the seeds. Some of these types of petunias work better being grown in a container, while some are better suited to the garden. Peat-based composts are still the best option for sowing petunia seeds. How to Grow Petunias from Seed Seed Germination. It is easy to find a petunia that works well Petunia seeds germinate within 10 days after sowing, while some may take about 3 weeks. May 19, 2020 - How to Grow Petunias from Seed Originally from South America, petunias are a trumpet shaped flower and mostly grown as annuals in the US (although the can be perennials in zones 9-12). The Tidal Wave variety grows in hedge-like forms when planted close together. When the rosettes of foliage cover the compost the trays can be moved from the greenhouse to frames and grown cool. Petunias are one of the most popular garden flowers for both borders and containers. He trained in London’s Royal Parks and has spent more than a decade writing for UK gardening publications before joining the team at Thompson & Morgan. You can find petunias in just about every color but true blue and with growing habits that mound in borders or trail down containers. A petunia plant is an annual flower that is difficult to grow from seed due to its small seed size. The seeds can be purchased in specialized stores. Place the fluorescent light approximately 3-6 inches (7-15 cm) above the top of the tray. The first week of June is a safe bet for … If they are well developed then you can transplant them to baskets very shortly. When the seedlings are large enough to handle transplant them into trays 5cm apart. Although there are hundreds of named petunias, they tend to fall into four basic categories, which are determined by flower size and growth habit. It is a great variety to try if you want a climbing petunia. Read it, Be sure to check out our full selection of. So MANY options! Soil used needs to drain well; add compost to help fertilize the soil to give the seeds a good start. Just remember that starting from seed takes longer so begin at least ten to 12 weeks before your outside planting date. Well done for growing your own Petunias! The temperature for germination should be between 18-24C (64-75F)  at seed level and this can usually be provided in a heated propagator, if this is not available, seal sowing trays in a clear polythene bag in a warm room of the house. While many people buy petunias in six-packs at the nursery, it is incredibly simple to grow petunias from seeds. GROW PETUNIA FROM SEED Step 2. The petunia ancillaris is the parent to most varieties of petunias and probably what you remember. The Grandiflora are ideal for flower beds and pathways. By sowing in early spring and keeping the temperature cool after pricking out, well branched plants should be produced which will flower more effectively when planted out in the garden. You can grow petunias from seeds, but it is easier to grow them from transplants. 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