picasso petunias are wilting!

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
mares13 Waukegan, IL Apr 05, 2010

I have the new "Pretty Much Picasso" petunias in a container that I won at a Proven Winners seminar. I was thrilled, even though apprehensive about keeping it alive from March to May until I can keep it outside. I have it in my sunniest room, and it has been doing well except not too many blooms, but when I put it out during the day on 3 different occasions in the sun it wilted very dramatically, in 70+ degree sunny weather. The only thing that I can think of is that it was windy, and maybe that did it. I have fertilized it with Proven Winners continuous action fertilizer and was planning to use water soluble fertilizer when I can keep it in sun for longer periods of time. Any suggestions? I love these petunias and would be very upset if they don't thrive. Thanks!

Post #7681117
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 05, 2010

Wind can cause problems, or it also could be too much sun too soon. When plants are used to being indoors, you need to expose them gradually to outdoor light levels or else it can shock them. No matter how bright of a window you have them in when they're inside, it is nowhere near as intense as sunlight outdoors. So if you're going to put them out for the day, I'd keep them in a shady location, and when they're ready to live outside full time then give them a little bit more sun every day until they're completely used to it. Also note that leaves can sunburn when you give them too much sun too quickly--this damage doesn't necessarily show up immediately, but if in the next few days to a week you start to notice bleached out spots on the leaves that eventually turn brown, that's what caused it.

Post #7681966
Quote
amorecuore Ft Lauderdale, FL(Zone 10a) Apr 05, 2010

I agree that it's too much sun too fast. If you're going to give it any outside sun it should be no more than around 2 hours of morning sun only for 3-5 days. Then you increase it to around 4 hours of sun for a few days. Then 1/2 day sun for a few days. If you take a good 2 weeks adjusting it to more and more sun every few days you should see minimal stress on the plant. Even though its only early April the sun right now is just as intense/as high in the sky as it would be in late August.

Post #7682907
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP