How to plant an ampelous petunia correctly
Content:
You can plant flowers in different ways. Not every florist understands how to propagate ampelous petunia. This is mainly done with seeds, but cuttings can also be used. You can germinate them in different ways.
Reproduction methods
There are many varieties of plants, each with its own characteristics. They differ not only in the shades of the petals, but also in the shape of the inflorescences, the size of the shoots.
Ampel petunia is a beautiful and bright plant that has a different color of flowers
Benefits of grafting
The optimal way of vegetative propagation is the use of cuttings of shoots. At home, this option is easier to carry out than growing a plant from seeds. When using seed, there is a risk of getting a separation according to characteristics, in which case new characteristics appear in the sprouts.
Cutting has one advantage in this regard - the flower is the mother's copy. You can not be afraid of the appearance of new petal colors or deterioration of characteristics.
Daughter plants are easier to grow and the cuttings will root faster. There is no guarantee that most of the seeds will sprout and that they will all survive to adulthood.
Cutting allows you to get new copies of petunias faster. Before the seedlings can be transplanted into open ground, it will take about 1-2 months. Therefore, the seeds are planted in mid-spring.
Germination in water
There are two ways to root shoots - through soil or water. The second option is the simplest. It can be combined with the use of growth stimulants.
When the shoot has roots, it is transplanted into the ground.
For reproduction, part of the shoot from the mother bush is cut off by stems and placed in a glass of water. You can add root or succinic acid to the liquid. After about two weeks, roots will appear and the plant can be planted outdoors.
Through the ground
Some growers prefer to breed petunias in a different way. For this, cut shoots are immediately placed in the soil. This method avoids the risk of death.
Not all growers know how to cut ampelous petunia and what conditions need to be created for plants. Pruning should be done only during the growing season, i.e. from late spring to early fall. During dormancy, do not propagate flowers.
The grafting process is standard. A shoot with a length of 15 cm is cut from the mother specimen and placed immediately in the ground. A versatile soil for flowering plants is suitable. It can be spilled with a weak pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
From above, the pot is covered with glass or foil, this allows accelerating germination. The optimum temperature level is 25 ° C, high humidity will be an additional plus.
Even a novice florist can root the cutting directly into the ground. After about three weeks, new leaves will begin to appear on the shoot, this is a good sign.
Experienced flower growers recommend providing the cuttings with abundant watering and airing once a day. In the warm season, the greenhouse allows you to maintain an optimal temperature.
Fundamental rules
Reproduction of a petunia is not such a simple matter, and it does not always end successfully. Therefore, you need to adhere to some recommendations.
The optimal time is spring, since during this period the plant is full of strength, and the length of daylight hours increases. Warm weather also helps maintain the optimum temperature.
Do not worry about pruning, as the plant tolerates it well. Ampel varieties, even in a young state, need crown formation. Therefore, proper care consists in regularly pinching the shoots.
After rooting, the plant begins to bloom only after 1.5 months. Therefore, if you pinch the petunia in August, then it will bloom only closer to October. It is better to carry out the pruning procedure in April, then the seedlings can be planted in the open field.
The lower leaves must be torn off at the shoot, otherwise they will rot anyway
You need to cut off the branch under the knot - the place where the leaf and the stem join. Do not leave the shoot to dry, it is immediately placed in water or soil. Planting is carried out in separate containers. You can use transparent cups, this will allow you to control the development of the root system.
After the seedlings begin to grow actively, they are transplanted into permanent containers - pots or into open ground. After that, standard care is organized.
When and how to plant
The success of the germination of petunias depends not only on the correct content, but also on the season. In winter, the daylight hours are short, and this increases the period of emergence of roots in the shoots. Phytolamps can be used, but this complicates the process.
Preparation
Even if petunia grows at home, it may not reproduce all year round. The plant needs to provide a dormant period during which the flower is not transplanted, tolerated or disturbed. You can not give top dressing and cut off branches.
Experienced flower growers consider the end of February to the beginning of May to be the optimal time. At this time, the duration of daylight hours gradually increases and begins to warm.
If petunia is kept outdoors, then it is brought into the room and left for acclimatization, which takes 2 weeks. After that, the mother plant can be pruned. With the help of a pinch, you need to open a significant part of the soil, this allows you to thin out the stems and enhance flowering.
You can cut the shoots right in the garden. To do this, just select the appropriate branches. Do not take too long stems, the optimal length is about 10 cm.
Landing dates
What features ampel petunias have and when and how to plant cuttings, after what time they will begin to bloom - all this should be known by the florist. Shoots cannot be planted immediately in open ground, as they are still weak and may die.
It is optimal to place seedlings in small containers and wait for them to get stronger
During the development of petunias, you need to feed with universal means, for example, for flowering plants. It is better to fertilize in moderation, since an excess of nutrients is dangerous. Even in summer, you should not rush to take the pots out to the garden or to the flower bed. Any changes in temperature, changes in the regime of detention will lead to problems.
You can transplant it into pots or flowerpots when the sprout reaches a height of 10-15 cm.Do not plant petunias closely, otherwise they will not be able to develop normally. The optimal distance between them is 10 cm.
You can plant petunia seedlings when they become strong, but they do not yet have buds. During flowering, do not disturb the plant.Fertilizer is applied every two weeks.
Petunia can be propagated not only by seeds, but also by cuttings. In this case, it is important to follow simple guidelines. This is the only way to get new specimens of the plant.
