OP, you have described the reasons why I stopped growing petunias years ago, lol.

Thanks for the help. Last year was the first time I ever planted annuals and at that time I planted a ton of petunias. This year I "thought" I cut way back on petunias, as I purchased many other types of annuals, yet I still feel like I planted way too many even though it didn't seem like it at the time. Obviously, they start off so small and then they continue to amaze me with an extreme amount of growth and blooms. For two years in a row, I've learned my lesson so yes, it's been a learning process. They are beautiful though and while looking at my containers I often feel like it's worth it, yet when it's 110 degrees outside and I've spent hours each week removing spent flowers, it sometimes makes me question my sanity.

I suppose my main concern is whether or not the plant will die if I miss deadheading one or two blooms. I'm going on a week and half vacation next month, which makes me worry they're going to be done for upon my return. Should I shear them all back?

I would shear them back heavily before you go. You'll love them again when you get back.

So, are you taking suggestions for carefree, long blooming container plants?

I'd love suggestions! I plant everything in pots and they need to be able to withstand full sun and continuous days of dry, extreme heat and wind.

I've experimented with quite a few this summer and have found my favorite, less needy annuals to be Zinnias, Asters, Dahlias, and Calibrachoa. My absolute favorite is the Calibrachoa. To my knowledge I don't have to deadhead it, right? I haven't taken off any blooms and it continues to produce more and more. Wish I would have put it in my hanging baskets, rather than the time demanding petunias.

Which ones would you recommend?

lol ... like i said.. fear your success ...

this is how you learn ... thru you mistakes ...

i like the idea to shear them back just before your trip ... but leave one alone.. just to see the difference when you get back ... lessons learned thru experimenting are usually better retained ...

i am also with rhiz on why i quit growing them ...

ant this is why i moved toward perennials ... and let them just bloom out ... unlike annuals.. they dont tend to die without deadheading.. they just have a shorted flower period ...

of course.. if you are doing this all in pots... that complicates perens ... in the sense .. if nothing else.. you have to deal with winter storage of live plants ... which can be very tricky in pots... this will probably nest the next evolution of your gardening skill ...

ken