Petunias can turn a garden into a bright carpet, but they need special conditions to do this.
Many gardeners make typical mistakes, due to which the plant loses its decorative properties.
Here are some proven tips to achieve luxurious blooms without any extra effort.
The quality of future flowers depends on the planting material. Hybrid F1 varieties are resistant to diseases, form large buds and do not require complex care.
Cheap seeds often produce weak seedlings that lag behind in growth.
Experiment with hanging and bush varieties - they create the effect of a flowering waterfall.
After 4-5 leaves appear, the top is carefully cut off with manicure scissors. This stimulates the growth of lateral shoots, making the plant voluminous.
When the branches reach 10–12 cm, they are shortened by a third, preserving the growth point. The procedure is repeated every three weeks until mid-summer.
This approach will turn a modest bush into a spherical “pillow” with dozens of buds.
Petunia loves loose soil: mix garden soil, peat and compost in equal parts. Water it only under the root, avoiding water getting on the leaves.
Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are added every 10 days - they prolong flowering.
Withered buds are removed immediately, and at the end of June all shoots are cut to 10 cm. In just 14 days the bush will be covered with new flowers and will retain its beauty until frost.
Following these rules will turn petunia into the main decoration of the site.
The main thing is not to be afraid of experiments and give the plant enough light. The result will exceed the expectations of even skeptics.
