Petunia Variety & Care Suggestions

jordanmichelle1989

9 years ago

Very likely I will be planting primarily Petunias in my 18 pots. I seem to have lost the knowledge I used to have as far as which varieties are best?

I've spent way too much deadheading in the past so would like to avoid that. Brands I see in my shops around here are Supertunias and Wave? Do either need to be deadheaded? Will they both look about the same in pots and hanging baskets? Any other great varieties or brands you'd suggest?

As far as care, do I need to prune them back when I transplant them, in order to keep them compact without looking too leggy? Also, I was told by a gardener to ruff up the roots and take half the roots off the bottom end of the root ball when planting. Is this necessary?

Featured Answer

woodnative

9 years ago

I wouldn't take half the roots off the plant!! IF the roots are tightly compacted in the rootball you can rough the edges a bit to help them make good contact with the surrounding soil and grow into it quicker. Most of those Petunia varieties keep on going pretty well. Where are you located. The only thing Petunias don't like is excessive heat and sometimes look a little "tired" in hot midsummer. If they are leggy and tired at that point I prune them back a bit and they look good again in the cooler fall.

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Comments (7)

jordanmichelle1989
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I always felt like it was excessive to take off so much of the roots.

Would you suggest waves or supertunias for pots? Both are similar is pricing so trying to figure out how to get as much bang for buck by choosing the right ones.
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brooklynbonnie
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just one thing to keep in mind, maybe - I remember planting some Supertunias a few years ago, and afterwards, found mention somewhere that when the plants become wet, they smell like dog poop. I was surprised, but sure enough, after the next rainfall, I went out to check and didn't even have to move my face close to smell them! :-)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
i used to cut a cross in the bottom of bad rooted plants.. and splay them open .. sorta like butterflying a shrimp ...

i also then started buying better stock .. younger plants... that were not so root bound ... and found out such.. by tipping them out of the pots ...

if you find a display for sale .... then buy the smallest healthiest plant .. not the largest .. the one with the least flowers .... it will take the stresses of replanting much easier ...

in other words... delay instant gratification .. and a few weeks later.. you will have it ..

ken
mzdee
9 years ago
Waves are very reliable as are the supertunias. Proven winners has some beauties (check out Picasso). This time of year the hanging baskets get pretty inexpensive. I have used them successfully instead of buying individual pots. Just trim, fertilize, and give them sun throughout thee growing season.
Cathy Kaufell
9 years ago
see http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4636699/m=23/my-wave-petunia-tree
claire c
9 years ago
I am a very experienced gardener but only recently discovered the proper way to deadhead a petunia. I always just plucked the spent flower but you must also pull the leaf cluster it sits in. Otherwise the plant will start to go to seed and get leggy without good flower production. I grew waves from seed this year and they are awesome!