Petunia Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail
Petunia, also known as shuttlecock flower, dwarf trumpet, and garden petunia, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Petunia in the Solanaceae family. Its flowers are large and numerous, blooming abundantly, with a long flowering period and rich colors. It is often used as an excellent flower bed and planter flower, and can also be planted in natural clumps or used as a cut flower. In suitable climates or under greenhouse cultivation, it can bloom all year round. Let's take a look at petunia seed prices and planting methods below!
How much do petunia seeds cost?
The price of petunia seeds is generally around 80 to 100 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on seed quality and variety. For example, imported multi-flowered mixed-color petunias cost around 600 to 700 yuan per jin. Petunia seeds are very tiny. It is a long-day plant and requires plenty of sunlight during the growing period. Under normal light conditions, it takes about 100 days from sowing to flowering.
What varieties of petunia are there?
1. Merlin: A single-petaled, densely flowering variety with a plant height of 25 cm. It is an early-flowering type with strong branching and diverse flower colors.
2. Super: An early-flowering type suitable for outdoor cultivation, with large flowers and a flower diameter of 10 cm.
3. Blind Pearl: Flower diameter of 10 cm, petals with dark-colored veins, and flower colors including orange, blue, pink, purple, and more.
4. Carpet: A single-petaled, multi-flowered variety. It is heat-resistant with strong branching and compact flowers.
5. Falcon: A dwarf type with a plant height of 10 cm, flower diameter of 9 cm, and many flower colors.
Petunia Sowing Methods
1. Time: In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, petunias can be sown and raised year-round under protected conditions. Since the flowering period is generally controlled for May 1st and National Day, autumn sowing is done in October to November, and spring sowing is done in June to July.
2. Containers: Petunia seeds are very tiny, so in principle plug trays can be used for sowing. However, it is recommended not to use plug trays, because plug trays are all in one piece, and if germination is uneven, it will bring certain difficulties to management.
3. Medium: The soil used for sowing petunias is actually quite particular. Although using planting soil or garden soil for sowing can still produce germination, it will greatly reduce the germination rate. Therefore, it is better to choose a loose, breathable, moisture-retaining, and sterile medium for sowing.
4. Sowing: When sowing petunias, to ensure one seed per cell, you can dip a toothpick slightly in water and then gently pick up a petunia seed and place it on the soil surface. After all seeds are sown, spray with a spray bottle, being careful not to wash away the seeds.
5. Management: After sowing petunias, place the flowerpot in a seedling tray, cover it with a lid, and then put it in a warm and bright place. Uncover the lid every day for ventilation, and when the soil is found to be dry, spray in time to replenish water. After seedlings emerge, provide light in time.
Petunia Planting Methods
1. Soil: Petunias are not strict about soil requirements. Ordinary planting soil or garden soil can be used for planting, but petunias are afraid of too much water. Excess water in the soil can cause root rot and other problems, so potted petunias should use loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam soil.
2. Watering: Petunias should usually be watered in moderation to prevent them from becoming too dry or too wet. If too dry, the plant tends to wilt; if too wet, the roots tend to rot. In summer, when the weather is hot and evaporation is greatest, water should be replenished in time to keep the potting soil moist but not waterlogged. During the rainy season, drainage should be timely to prevent waterlogging.
3. Light: Petunia is a long-day plant and needs sufficient light whether potted or planted in the ground. With plenty of sunlight, it grows vigorously with lush leaves and abundant flowers. If light is insufficient, branches and leaves tend to grow leggy, and flowering is reduced or of poor quality.
4. Temperature: Petunias are not tolerant of frost. The suitable growth temperature is 13 to 18°C. In winter, the temperature should be 4 to 10°C. If it is below 4°C, plant growth stops. In summer, it can tolerate high temperatures above 35°C.
5. Fertilization: Petunias have a long flowering period and need continuous nutrient replenishment to keep blooming. During the early growth stage of young seedlings, thin fertilizer should be applied frequently. For potted flowers produced in winter, apply compound fertilizer frequently in March to April, and appropriately apply nitrogen fertilizer as a top dressing according to growth conditions.
6. Pests and diseases: Petunia diseases include damping-off and stem rot, and pests include diamondback moth, aphids, and leaf-rolling moths. Damping-off can be controlled with 800 to 1000 times diluted solutions of chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl.
7. Pruning: When petunia seedlings grow to about 10 cm tall, pinch off the growing tips to encourage side branches to sprout, resulting in more flowers. After each flowering period, if seeds are not needed, promptly cut off the spent flowers and shorten the branches, so side branches can continue to sprout and bloom continuously.