Spindly Petunias!

Okay, I DO cut mine back whenever they get spindly, but the new growth always seems to return to that spindly look again. Will the new leaves ever get as big as they are at the bottom of the plant? I want it to be lush all over!

To keep petunias from getting leggy you need to deadhead them regularly. I pinch off any blooms at the base as soon as they start to wilt (pinch off the whole flower, don't just pull out the petal part). I have a humongous pot hanging on a shepherd's hook that I deadhead every day (or every time I walk by it). HTH! Oh, and they like lots & lots & lots of sun.

This message was edited Jun 11, 2008 1:36 PM

For what it's worth, my petunias got spindly when they didn't get enough water.

I agree with jcoakly--mine used to get spindly when I only pulled out the petals. Now I pinch them back just behind the flower and they are doing beautifully!

I actually not only pinch off the entire head with a little stem but also take 1/3 off of the entire plant every couple months. But the leaves never leaf out as big as at the begining. Oh well.

Are they wave petunias? Those are meant to grow kind of viny and spread out . . . just a thought.

I wonder if you're watering them and feeding them enough, that can cause plants to have smaller leaves and be more spindly overall if they're not getting the amount of water and fertilizer they need.

Some are Wave and some aren't. I do try and water every couple days in this TExas heat. It can evaporate so quickly.I'll try and give more fertilizer this year.

When you water, are you giving them a really deep thorough watering? I've noticed with my plants (containers and in the garden) that if I'm in a hurry and don't water deeply enough, the plants will stay alive but never really grow much or look as good as they ought to, but if I take the time to water them really deeply then they do much better.

For what it's worth, my petunias growing in fairly heavy shade get much leggier than the ones that get some sun.

I also pinch mine back just as the flowers begin to fade. That really does seem to help them stay more compact.

Thanks everyone! I overwintered my 'wave petunia' in my cold frame this year. It is growing beautifully ..except smaller everything towards the ends of the branches.I did learn that a nice slow drink does my plants well..I'll be more consistant with the fertilizer and I'm going to try and pinch blooms off BEFORE they develop much to see if that makes my leaves bigger!