Petunia has been and remains a favorite of many generations of gardeners. Without it, it is difficult to imagine a city, a flower bed, and a village garden. In order for petunia to please the eye and soul with abundant flowering all season, it needs systematic top dressing.
Of course, it is worth remembering that it is always better to underfeed than overfeed. And one more important condition must be observed: at a certain period of life, the plant needs certain fertilizers, and not those that are at hand or in the nearest store.
Top Dressing is good, but it is not a panacea for all ills: it cannot make up for a lack of light or an excess of watering. Therefore, if you decide to get a chic petunia, make it a rule: the primary optimal growing conditions, top dressing – secondary. No options.
But in fact, experienced gardeners are advised to give fertilizers, but to approach their choice calmly, without fanaticism. And even select the optimal composition and frequency of fertilizing empirically, assessing the reaction of the plant to a particular drug (only if no prolonged-acting fertilizers were used during planting).
When to start feeding
If petunias are sown in a common container, it is better not to delay the dive (optimally – in the phase of cotyledon leaves). Feeding can be started at least 10-14 days after the change of residence of the seedlings (it is necessary to give the seedlings time to adapt to the new place, because even a carefully conducted dive will still be stressful for them).
If the seedlings grow in peat tablets, top dressing can begin with the appearance of a second real leaf.
What you need to know about feeding petunias:
- rooting is done only on wet ground! Plants are watered with clean water at least an hour before fertilizing;
- liquid or soluble forms of fertilizers are preferred;
- Petunia is fed throughout the growing season.
What problems can there be with seedlings
If the crops failed (this happens), do not rush to cover the microscopic sprouts with fertilizers! First, experienced gardeners are of the opinion that they will not use weak seedlings – do not expect good growth from a bad seed. And sow the petunia again, with fresh seeds. Secondly, even if you decide to give low-growing shoots a chance, they will need special attention and care: you need to provide additional lighting, try to maintain the optimal temperature for petunias +18…+20°C (64.4-68°F) day and about +15° (59°F) with the night.
When the depressing factors are eliminated, you can try to “revive” the seedlings with B vitamins. In a regular pharmacy, buy vitamins in ampoules (B1 or B6, B12), immediately before use, prepare a working solution: mix 1 liter of warm water (+25…+30°C/77-86°F) of water and the contents of 1 ampoule. Spray the seedlings 1 time in 7 days. Immunostimulants are also used for this purpose. After these activities, the plants grow quickly.
Feeding before flowering
Regular top dressing (once a week) begins with the appearance of the second real leaf, alternating between root (when the plants are watered under the root with a solution of fertilizers) and foliar (when the solution is sprayed on the leaves). Now young plants need to increase the shoots, form a lush bush, so nitrogen must be present in the composition of fertilizers. They continue to be used until the first buds appear. Usually by this time the seedlings are already planted in a permanent place – in flower beds, hanging baskets or balcony boxes.
Fertilizing for flowering
As a rule, by this time the petunia bushes are well formed, well developed. Now their main task is to provide abundant long-term flowering, so choose compositions with a higher content of phosphorus and potassium. Usually top dressing is done once a week, but there are options: many gardeners practice more frequent application – after 2-3 days or even with each watering, but the drug is diluted 3-4 times weaker. Plants react better to this mode of feeding.
In conclusion, I would like to warn gardeners against excessive zeal.
Fertilize, but measure know!
Do not overfeed petunia, everything is good in moderation! Extra fertilizers will not do any good: the diameter of the flowers will still not reach half a meter, alas. But the risk of fungal diseases and various rots will increase many times, and you need it?
Treat your petunias with love and care, do not demand from them more than they can give. And keep an eye on their condition, so as not to miss an alarm signal about the beginning of the disease or the appearance of pests.
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