You might not think of petunias as cool-weather annuals, but these tough plants actually do best when temperatures are on the cool side. That's why, in some frost-free regions petunias are often planted in the fall and winter instead of the summer.
Your petunia needs at least 10 hours of light per day to prevent it from going dormant, so if you don't get that amount naturally in the winter, you'll need to turn on the grow light for part of the day. Keep the soil moist, with a texture that feels like a well wrung-out sponge.
If temperatures fall below 40 degrees they may not like it, but below freezing will surely kill them.
In cold climates, petunias are annuals and only last one growing season. Within their warmer growing zones, petunias will come back every year but still don't last very long—about three years. However, they will self-seed for continued growth. Petunia spp.
Petunias are bright and lively, bloom from spring until frost, and scent the air with lovely fragrance. Best of all, petunias are amazingly easy to grow, both in the garden and in containers. There are literally hundreds of named petunia varieties.
Planting Petunias in Pots
Petunias are very well suited to drier soil and warm temperatures, so containers are a natural fit since the soil dries out and heats up rather quickly. Petunia plants are not very particular regarding the pots they call home.
How Long Do Petunias Last? As an answer to your question, petunias can last between 2 and 3 years in warmer climates. However, the fact is that in the real sense, petunias are annuals in cold climates. As such, they might be unable to survive the cold temperature that comes with winter.
This can be done by hand, or you can use thumb knifes or scissors. It's a good idea to deadhead the wilted or dead petunia flowers once a week.
Petunias will last and bloom all summer long and into fall, until the first frost However, they are technically tender perennials, you can bring them indoors and keep them through the winter as houseplants in a sunny window where they'll get at least 6 hours of sunlight.
If you don't remove the base of the flower, you'll end up with a dried seed pod instead of a new bloom. You don't need to cut off much of the petunia stems, but if they look ratty, you can cut the stems below the flower and above green, healthy-looking foliage.
3) Prune the branches regularly
Preventing leggy petunias requires pruning the branches by one quarter or half on a regular basis.
Petunias Winter Care in Pots
Getting the potted plants out of cold temperatures and into a basement or garage can protect the roots so that the plants will grow again in the spring. Trim back overgrowth and water when the soil dries out.
Unlike other annuals that need to be replanted each year to enjoy them again, Laura Bush petunias readily reseed themselves so a fresh patch can be expected to greet you the following the year provided the area that the seeds have fallen in goes undisturbed.
These tender perennials are able to survive outdoors in winter only in warm-weather USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, coming back year after year with proper care. Gardeners in other areas must satisfy themselves with growing petunias outdoors as annuals.
Leaves wilting or turning yellow and cracked soil are indications that the plant is too dry. Water right away if the plant appears dehydrated, and the Petunia may recover, but drying out too much may stunt the growth or be fatal. Overwatering is equally bad for Petunias, so hold off on watering if the soil is damp.
Petunias like well draining soil and will wilt and most likely die if they become soggy and waterlogged. Always make sure that your containers or window boxes have drainage holes. Petunias are some of the best plants for hanging baskets, precisely because they like a generous watering with immediate drainage.
Petunias prefer full sunlight, so be aware, container plants may dry out more quickly during hot weather periods. During such periods the plants require two daily waterings. Bedded plants need water when the top 12-15 cm (5-6 inches) begin to dry. Bedded plants need once-a-week a deep watering.
The short answer is, yes, hummingbirds do like petunias. These birds like brightly colored, tubular-shaped, nectar-filled flowers, and petunias are just that.
Petunias do need a decent amount of water, so don't pair them with any cacti, but try to avoid plants that need continuously moist soil. Choosing plants that complement your petunias will provide season-long enjoyment.
When you plant your container, keep in mind that trailing petunias will spill out of the pot so you don't want it to get too crowded. A pot that's too crowded can sometimes lead to root rot, so you'll want to be mindful of how crowded it's getting.
It may take two to three weeks for the cuttings to form sufficient roots in the glass with water. When planting directly in pots, the cuttings are simply inserted a few centimetres deep into the soil, which is then pressed down well.