Growing petunia from seeds is quite difficult. Having sown it in the ground, every housewife eagerly awaits that all her seedlings will sprout together.
However, it is not always possible to achieve excellent results.
Optimal term
From sowing to planting petunia seedlings in open ground, it takes about 3 months.
It is planted only after the threat of frost has passed and after stable warmth has been established.
Therefore, it is worth sowing petunia seeds in February - March, but everything will depend on weather conditions.
Selecting quality seeds
Petunia seeds should be fresh, it would be nice if they were also pelleted.
Unlike regular seeds, pelleted seeds contain nutrients necessary for their rapid growth and development. Such seeds are quite large and easy to sow.
Soil preparation
These plants like nutritious, loose soil with low or neutral acidity. You can buy it in a special store, where it is sold in a ready-made balanced form.
Or prepare it yourself at home. Take the following components in equal proportions: turf soil, peat and sand.
Disinfect it by roasting it in the oven.
Optimal container for seedlings.
Petunia seedlings are grown in peat tablets, small pots, disposable cups, plastic trays or boxes.
You can't take any metal container. It's better to take plastic, wooden, ceramic or cardboard, it is the most suitable material. The main thing is that it has drainage holes.
Correct sowing
Place a drainage layer in the seed sowing box, pour 8-10 cm of soil mixture on top and sprinkle it with a small layer of river sand.
Level everything, compact and moisten. Place petunia seeds on top in rows at intervals of 3 cm from each other and sprinkle with soil. Using a spray bottle, generously moisten the soil surface and cover the box with film, glass or plexiglass.
Further care
Caring for seedlings consists of the following actions:
- ventilation of the room;
- regular and moderate watering;
- providing 16 hours of additional lighting and maintaining an optimal temperature regime;
- diving;
- when applying fertilizer.
