Petunia can transform even a modest plot into a celebration of colors, but the path from a tiny seed to a lush bush requires attention to detail.
An experienced gardener shared his personal experiment with Vivienne varieties and large-flowered hybrids - from the first sowing to the opening of the buds.
Timing
Mid-March is the ideal start for sowing, when the sun gives enough light. But you can not wait for the calendar spring, sending the seeds into the ground at the end of February.
Early sowing requires discipline: without phytolamps, the sprouts will stretch out, but if the windows face south, the chances of success are high.
With this schedule, the first shoots appear within a week, and flowers appear by the end of May.
Soil and planting
Petunia is capricious about the soil: looseness and neutral acidity are its “must have”.
The finished substrate is sometimes disappointing - sometimes you have to sift the lumps through a sieve. After disinfection with potassium permanganate, the soil is moistened and the seeds are laid out. The granules are carefully placed with a toothpick, without deepening.
The container is covered with film, but not placed in direct sunlight - the greenhouse effect can destroy the embryos.
Care
The first sprouts are a signal for careful ventilation. The film is removed only after 2-3 weeks, when the seedlings have become stronger.
Dangers lurk at every stage: overheating on the windowsill, stems stretching due to lack of light.
Salvation is moving to a cool place (+16°C) and treatment with "Athlete". Fertilizing is postponed until picking, and the marking of varieties is not ignored - later it is impossible to distinguish hybrids.
The main secret? Petunia does not forgive haste. Even fragile shoots will gain strength over time if you give them enough light and do not overwater.
Experience shows that experimenting with timing and sowing methods works when there is patience behind them.
In just two months, the seedlings will turn into bushes ready to be moved to a flowerpot or open ground - all that remains is to choose the shades for the future floral fireworks.
