I was recently visiting a farmer's market in my area. I was amazed at how full and beautiful thier hanging petunia baskets were! I would sure like to try growing my own next year. I am new to growing flowers. I started petunias from seed this year but I don't think they will be near as full as those I saw. I would like to plan for next year though. Anyone have any advice on when I should start planting them? January? febuary? Any tips on varieties soil medium ect......
thanks,
Tom (Ny.)
Growing petunia baskets ?
I usually start mine in early March. The Waves are usually sold as pelleted seeds and very easy to start from seed. I use fish fertilizer until they are transplanted into the final basket (container). Then I use a good slow release fertilizer.
Those "full" baskets you see now are most likely near the point of being root bound and will be high maintenance to keep looking nice for more than a month. What I do with the pre-planted baskets is repot them into a much larger container with new potting soil and slow release fertilizer for hanging baskets, Smart Cote brand. A 10" basket repotted into an 16" minimum. I put one into a half wooden barrel and it is huge now.
It's actually a good deal to do it that way. You will never be able to buy all the plants, that size, individually for the price that you pay for the basket. If you choose to start petunias from seed, you will need lights. And yes, they will get as big as the ones you have admired, but not until July...weather dependent. We have had a very cold spring, so everything is a little later this year. Had snow last weekend and frost several days last week (unusual for here) but I guess it can happen. Everything, perennials, trees & shrubs are about 3 weeks behind normal. Last few days have been very sunny and warm so the petunias really took off.
This message was edited Jun 12, 2009 10:05 PM
Thanks Joannabanana,
The wave petunias Seem to be very popular so I think I'll give those a try. They really are amazing. I started some seeds using peat disks in a 1020 flat with the dome. Only about a third of them germinated though. The pelleted seeds will be much better to work with. Perhaps I'll try seeding them just using jiffy mix.
I do have a light rack in my house were I germinate all my seedlings. I've had really good luck with veggies but not so much with annual flowers. Still learning, But that's half the fun :)
Thanks for the tips on The fertilizer I will be sure to give that a try. I read somewhere that petunias like a cooler temperature around 65(f). My sun-room where I germinate most of my seedlings is about 75-80(f) so I was thinking about setting up some lights in the basement where it is cooler.
I was recently at a nursery auction and bought myself a greenhouse It's 100ft x 12ft so I'm sure I'll have plenty of room for Petunias. (lol)
The weather hare has been it's normal cool temperature for early June, but the last few days have been bright and sunny.
TG, come on over to the greenhouse forum and join in the conversations.
JB is so right about the hanging baskets needing repotted!
I got the most beautiful Supertunia hanging basket from my daughter for Mother's Day and today I purchased a 16" coco fiber/wire basket to transplant it in because it's terribly pot bound and also dries out so quickly. Also picked up some Miracle Grow potting soil with the crystals and going to try a different fertilizer which is Green Light brand Flower Food which has to be added every 2 weeks but I'm going to try that instead of the temp released which I normally use. (Contains 12-55-6 plus iron.)