In order for petunias to please the eye for a long time with abundant flowering and lush voluminous bushes, it is important to follow the basic rules for sowing and growing different types of these beautiful ornamental plants. In the material, we will analyze in detail how and when to plant seedlings at home, how petunias are planted on seedlings and in a greenhouse, and also on what days the lunar calendar recommends sowing seeds in 2024.
Varieties
Before choosing a suitable date, it is worth deciding which particular petunia is planned to be planted in 2024. In flowerpots and on a personal plot, it is possible to grow various types of this beautiful flower:
- Ampelous - are distinguished by long flexible stems (50-150 cm). Designed for planting in pots, on the balcony, vertical gardening of walls, and also for decorating tall floor vases.
- Shrub - form lush bushes (the height of low-growing varieties usually does not exceed 30 cm, tall ones can reach 75 cm in height). Most often, these varieties are planted in open ground. The plant needs proper formation.
- Fringed and terry got their names for the corresponding features of the flowers.
There are also varieties in each group that give a medium, large or small flower, so carefully study the information provided on the seed packaging at the time of purchase.
| Plant type | Large flowers | Small flowers |
| Ampelous | Gioconda
Ramblin Aladdin | Opera Supreme
Velvet Burgundy Polaris Tidal Wave |
| Shrub | Easy Wave
Ultra Daddy | Carpet
Primetime Horizon |
| Fringed | Aelita
Titanium Gavrish Frillytunia Alba | Aphrodite |
| Terry | Valentine
Dreams Papaya Double Cascade | Tart Bonanza
Tumbelina Sonata |
Sowing seedlings
Important! For most varieties, the period from sowing seeds to the appearance of the first flowers is about 80-90 days, so planting petunias for seedlings in 2024 should be carried out as early as possible so that with the arrival of the first stable heat, the plant can be transplanted into the ground and enjoy its rapid flowering.
If everything is done in a timely manner, and petunias are well cared for, the plant will delight with bright flowers all summer.
Terms by region
Since sowing petunias for most areas is recommended through seedlings, you can start growing flowers in January and February, providing favorable conditions for the plant on the windowsill or in the greenhouse.
For the southern regions, where planting is possible as early as mid-April, any varieties can be sown as early as January.
For the middle lane, the following sowing dates are recommended:
- small-flowered and double species - in January;
- usual varieties - in February and March.
In the territory of the Volga region, Western Siberia and the Urals, sowing is best done before mid-March.
For the territory of the Far East and Eastern Siberia, petunias can be sown until mid-April.
Please note that for plants sown in winter or early spring, it will be necessary to provide artificial lighting, since the length of daylight hours and the intensity of the sun's rays are still insufficient. An ordinary phyto-lamp, which can be purchased at any specialized store, will help with this.
It's not scary if the beginning of flowering of young plants will be in March or April, because the flower feels great both in a flowerpot and in open ground. It is quite possible to enjoy the flowering of petunia for some period indoors, waiting for the arrival of warm spring weather for transplanting flowers into the garden.
Auspicious dates
Important! It is better to sow the seed of petunias during the growing moon, like all other flowers, garden herbs, as well as plants that bear fruit in the aerial part.
The lunar calendar will help you choose the most favorable periods for planting petunias in 2024:
| Moon phases | Months | |||
| January | February | March | April | |
| Descending | 01.01.24-10.01.24 | 01.02.24-09.02.24 | 01.03.24-09.03.24 | 01.04.24-07.04.24 |
| New Moon | 11.01.24 | 10.02.24 | 10.03.24 | 08.04.24 |
| Growing | 12.01.24-24.01.24 | 11.02.24-23.02.24 | 11.03.24-24.03.24 | 09.04.24-23.04.24 |
| Full Moon | 25.01.24 | 24.02.24 | 25.03.24 | 24.04.24 |
| Descending | 29.01.24-31.01.24 | 25.02.24-29.02.24 | 26.03.24-31.03.24 | 25.04.24-30.04.24 |
Important! You should not sow seedlings and plant young flowers during the periods of the new moon and full moon, as well as the day before and after these dates.
According to this rule, such dates from January to April will be unfavorable:
| Month | Bad days |
| January | 10-12, 24-26 |
| February | 9-11, 23-25 |
| March | 9-11, 24-26 |
| April | 7-9, 23-25 |
Experienced flower growers also recommend taking into account the signs of the Zodiac when compiling your calendar for planting petunias for seedlings in 2024.
- for sowing seeds and picking, the days of Capricorn, Taurus, Pisces, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio are favorable;
- watering is good to do in the days of the reign of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces;
- unfavorable for work with petunia seedlings - the dates of Leo, Aries and Sagittarius.
Sowing methods
Now you know when is the best time to plant petunias for seedlings in 2024, now let's look at 3 ways to sow seeds.
The most common option is sowing in the ground.
The method is used for sowing classic seeds. The algorithm is as simple as possible:
- fertile soil is laid in containers;
- seeds are sown on the surface;
- sprinkle with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite;
- sprayed with a spray bottle;
- cover with transparent plastic, glass or film.
The first sprout can be expected as early as 6-7 days.
Flower growers also widely use sowing seeds in individual pots.
If the first method was good for classic seeds, then individual sowing is for capsules (pellets).
Important! Each such capsule contains 3-10 seeds, so in each pot you will get a beautiful lush bush that can be planted in a pot or in a garden.
The only minor disadvantage of pelleted petunia seeds is the longer period before the first entries appear. The first sprout appears approximately on the 10th day.
The third way is to sow pelleted seeds in special peat tablets.
The main feature of this method is that the seedlings that will sprout in tablets will need to be planted in individual pots after about 1 month, and then the young plant will grow, as in any other option.
Seedling care
Three basic needs of young petunias are:
- watering;
- compliance with temperature and light conditions;
- feeding.
At the seedling entry stage, watering is carried out as carefully as possible - by spraying or moistening the soil through a syringe.When the seedlings get stronger, it will be possible to water in the usual way. Please note that petunia can withstand short periods of drought, but you should not let the soil dry out so as not to spoil the young plants.
Important! Adequate lighting is a key condition for petunia, so flower growers who undertake to grow seedlings for sale highlight seedlings around the clock, stimulating more intense vegetation and early flowering.
If time allows, then it is enough to highlight the plant 11-12 hours a day to get a strong plant.
The temperature regime varies depending on the stages of seedling development:
| Stage | Optimal temperature |
| Seed sprouting | 23-26°C |
| Before the first pick | 18-22°C |
| After picking before landing in the ground | 18-20°C |
It is recommended to dive seedlings when the seedlings become crowded in the seed box.
You need to fertilize young petunias 2-3 weeks after germination. Petunia likes:
- nitrogen fertilizers that stimulate the growth of green mass;
- phosphorus-potassium fertilizers that stimulate flowering.
Cutting
When petunia seedlings get stronger, it must be pinched to form lush branched bushes. If desired, the plant can not be pinched, but grafted at this stage, cutting off the top of the shoot with 2 leaves and rooting them. For more effective rooting, you can process the cut with a root. So you can get even more beautiful bushes for the garden.
Ground landing
Important! It is better to plant petunia seedlings in open ground on a growing moon. This will ensure easy adaptation of the plant and abundant flowering throughout the season.
After waiting for the period of return frosts to end, it is best to plant a petunia in a well-lit area of the garden, digging the area in advance and adding humus or compost.
Ampel varieties can be planted in pots with a volume of 3-5 liters, depending on the splendor of the bush, be sure to lay a drainage layer on the bottom.
For more information about growing petunias, see the video:
