Description of 11 varieties of cascading petunia, planting and care in the open field
Cascading petunias are characterized by a varied palette of bright, saturated colors, as well as a long flowering period. This popular ornamental plant adorns gardens and home gardens, terraces, balconies and pillars. It is also suitable for indoor use. It is easy to grow unpretentious and cold-resistant petunia, so even novice flower growers willingly choose it.
Description and features
Cascade petunia was bred in the 60s of the 20th century through hybridization at the cellular level. This is a subspecies of ampelous petunia with its own unique features. It is characterized by strong and elastic long shoots that do not break from strong winds. Initially, petunia stalks stretch upward, and then, becoming heavier, begin to fall smoothly. Important advantages are unpretentiousness and cold resistance.
Varieties
Plant species differ in the size of the bushes and the direction of growth.
With flexible, sturdy lateral stems that grow downward
In this flower variety, the shoots are characterized by both strength and flexibility. Lateral stems of petunia, directed downward, grow, forming a dense "curtain".
With stems that grow upward
The second variety of cascading petunia is characterized by stems growing upward. Only when they reach a considerable length do they begin to grow downward or sideways. The large buds of this flower are the same size. The plant's cap is very voluminous and therefore requires a lot of space. It can be used as a ground cover crop.
Half-ampels with short lashes (super cascade)
The semi-ampelous petunia has small stems, but due to the branching, they look voluminous. Reaching 12 centimeters in diameter, large flowers form in spectacular and harmonious cascades.
Popular varieties
Among the variety of varieties, each grower will be able to choose the right option.
Surfinia
One of the most interesting hybrid varieties of petunias is Surfinia.Bright and attractive flowers on long and strong stems are gathered in a bunch. Their shades are diverse - pink, snow-white, dark red, purple and yellow.
Conchita
This species is characterized by medium-sized flowers of various colors - white with a greenish throat, dark crimson and pale lilac. The surface of the petals is silky or terry.
Fortunia
It is a short but highly branched shrub with long shoots. The falling branches reach one meter in length. Flowers collected in inflorescences have a diameter of up to 7 centimeters. They densely dot the stems, giving the impression of a solid flower ball. The colors include both warm and cold tones.
Ramblin
The large-flowered petunia Ramblin is spectacular and attractive and is characterized by strong growth. A round bush is dotted with medium-sized flowers.
Typhoon
The variety of cascading petunia Typhoon has a specific bush shape - with a branch height of up to twenty centimeters and a leaf diameter of up to thirteen. Shades of flowers are white, scarlet and brown. This variety is difficult to endure a cold snap, and is also capricious regarding the quality and composition of the soil.
Tornado
Cascading petunia Tornado is characterized by fast growth and high power of tall stems. The shade of flowers is very beautiful - white with silver.
Rose
Rose is often planted as a thick floral carpet. A distinctive feature of this cascading petunia is the medium-sized flowers of an expressive pink color.
Surf
The Priboy variety is represented by two subspecies - Pearl surf and Lilac surf. They have sprawling branches, dense foliage, and abundant long flowering. The first type of petunia has a white color with a nacreous bloom, and the second is pale purple.
Mona Lisa
One of the most charming varieties of cascading petunias is called Gioconda. At the same time, it is very easy to care for, which makes it extremely popular. This plant is grown in pots and is used mainly for decorating vertical flower beds. A low, neat bush strewn with numerous flowers of luxurious shades - white, pink, scarlet, purple, orange, neon, salmon and purple. In addition to external beauty, this variety is characterized by increased resistance to temperature extremes and diseases.
Cascade
Cascade is a popular variety that combines compact bushes and large flowers. The petals are corrugated and densely double. This plant is characterized by early and abundant flowering, as well as resistance to drought and cold. The color of flowers is pink, lilac, crimson and blue.
Niagara
The Niagara variety is distinguished by large, up to 7 centimeters in diameter, flowers with smooth satin petals. Medium bush - up to 45 centimeters in height. The varied colors look very harmonious thanks to the combination of white, lilac, deep purple and purple shades.
What they love
Petunia, being a native of countries with a predominance of hot and humid climates, loves long light days, warm air and an abundance of moisture. Hybrid varieties, bred as a result of careful selection, are characterized by good adaptation to almost any weather conditions.
Choosing a landing site
Before proceeding with the landing, a suitable site is selected.
Temperature regime
Cascade petunia is sensitive to too high air temperatures, but it easily tolerates frosts down to -10 ° C.
Lighting
You need to choose an open sunny place for a cascading petunia, since this plant is warm and light-loving. On balconies or windows, it should be planted from the south or southwest side. Shady areas should be avoided, because under such conditions the shoots become elongated, the number and size of flowers is noticeably reduced, and the leaves, on the contrary, increase.
Humidity
Petunia is not afraid of drought and high humidity. Stagnation of water is destructive for her, therefore it should not be allowed.
Grow pots
For growing cascading petunias, medium to large containers should be used. There should be special holes at the bottom to drain excess moisture. In the first case, it is not worth planting more than one plant in one pot with a volume of up to 5 liters. To plant two or three copies, you will need a large, spacious pot - 10-15 liters, in which the flowers will feel free and not create obstacles for each other to grow.
The optimal distance between the stems is 15-20 centimeters.
How to plant
When planting a plant, it is necessary to comply with the recommended dates, take into account the characteristics of the soil, as well as the requirements for temperature and light conditions.
Soil requirements
In order for the petunia root system to develop correctly, a loose and light soil with breathable properties and neutral acidity is needed. For these purposes, you can purchase ready-made soil with the addition of special baking powder at a flower shop.
You can also prepare the composition yourself by mixing the following components in equal proportions:
- sod land;
- peat;
- sand;
- humus.
No less effective is the soil, consisting of deciduous and sod land, peat and river coarse-grained sand.
In order for the soil to retain moisture, you need to lay a layer of expanded clay on the bottom of the pot.
Sowing dates
The optimal period for sowing cascading petunias is February or March.
How to plant
The container must be filled with soil so that 1-1.5 centimeters remain to the edge. Petunia seeds should be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the substrate. Sprinkling with soil is not required, as this will only create an obstacle to germination.
Since this plant has too small seeds that are difficult to see on the soil surface, you can first fill in a layer of snow, and then distribute them on top. Subsequently, the snow will melt and moisten the soil.
After sifting the petunia seeds, it is recommended to lightly sprinkle them with water and then cover with glass, agricultural textiles or plain paper. Instead of pots, you can initially use plastic food containers with sealed lids.
Temperature and light conditions
This plant needs an abundance of light, so at certain times of the day it may need additional lighting. A fluorescent lamp is quite suitable for these purposes.
The optimum level of air temperature is from +20 to +23 degrees Celsius.
Airing
Crops should be ventilated daily for fifteen minutes, and the level of soil moisture should be kept under control.
Seedling care rules
In order for petunia seedlings to grow actively and be healthy, it is necessary to provide them with full-fledged care, which combines regular watering and nutritious feeding.
Watering
As soon as the leaves of the seedlings touch the glass or lid, the container must be opened and the first watering performed. Overdrying the soil and oversaturation with moisture is equally dangerous for the plant, therefore it is important to observe the measure. It is recommended to water petunia in a pan or under the root, but its leaves cannot be moistened.
Pallet
The method of watering the seedlings from the pan is preferred as it prevents root rot. To do this, fill the tray with water, and then put a container with a plant in it. Hold for 30-40 minutes and drain off excess water.
Under the root
Watering the seedlings at the root should be done using a watering can with a thin long spout so as not to wet the leaves.The jet should be moderate - for this, the watering can should be kept at a low height above the seedlings.
Dive
Petunia bushes will grow healthy and beautiful if the seedlings are dived in a timely manner. It is recommended to perform this procedure twice. The first time - three weeks after sowing in the same containers. The second time - a week later in separate small containers or cups.
You can also perform a single pick after the formation of at least two leaves on each seedling.
Top dressing
Two weeks after sowing, the first shoots will appear. It's time to introduce the first petunia feeding. Weak solutions of potassium permanganate or fungicide have proven effective. After picking, it is also necessary to feed the plants using solutions that promote the fastest root formation, for example, yellow crystal.
Landing in open ground
You can plant flowers in a flower bed in mid-May or early June. This period is also favorable for transplanting petunias into pots or a hanging balcony box.
How to care for an adult plant
Competent care of the formed petunia bush is to maintain optimal soil moisture and the required amount of nutrients in it.
Watering features
Watering the cascading petunia is necessary daily, paying attention to the fact that the soil is evenly saturated with moisture. The correct watering will be indicated by excess moisture flowing through the drainage holes. During dry periods, two moisturizing sessions per day are required. When the temperature drops, the frequency of irrigation should be reduced.
Other methods of supplying moisture to the adult plant can be used, such as regular irrigation with a spray bottle or using a tray of cool water.
How to feed properly
During the flowering period of cascading petunia, it is necessary to apply complex mineral fertilizers with an increased content of magnesium and potassium. The optimal frequency of procedures is once every two weeks.
Topping
The first time this procedure must be carried out when the shoots grow to 5-7 centimeters. At this stage, which is the active growth phase, the removal of the particle above the fifth sheet is performed. This will ensure a more active growth of the side shoots of the petunia. For the best effect, the procedure should be repeated every month.
Diseases and pests
Cascading petunia, especially its hybrid varieties, is resistant to pests and diseases. But in some cases, the plant is affected by fungi, aphids and late blight.
Fungi
Fungal infection is the most dangerous enemy of the cascading petunia, provoking a deterioration in growth and flowering, and also preventing the development of new lateral shoots. The presence of a fungus is indicated by darkening and rotting of the stems of the plant. Treatment of the bush with antifungal solutions will help to eliminate the problem.
Late blight
Late blight is the result of a violation of the planting technology and soil oversaturation with moisture. In such cases, the bush should be treated with copper oxychloride - this remedy is effective both for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.
Aphid
Garden aphids are localized on the leaves of the plant, depriving them of nutritious cell sap. Spraying with a solution of wood ash and laundry soap helps to get rid of the pest.
Reproduction
Cascade petunia is propagated by seeds or by vegetation.
Seed method
Sowing the seeds of the plant is done in February or March using a special container. Moderate watering with a spray bottle is required for the first two weeks. Then the container with petunia seedlings must be moved to a sunlit place, and after the formation of the first 2-3 leaves, the plants must be transplanted in separate containers.
Vegetative way
With the vegetative method of reproduction, it is necessary to select the strongest and most attractive specimens of cascade petunias in the fall, which will be used as queen cells. Cuttings are carried out in February or March. It is necessary to carefully separate the tops of the shoots no more than 4-6 centimeters in length and immediately place them in the substrate, covering them with a film on top.
At a temperature of + 20-22 degrees, plant roots are formed in a week. After another 7-10 days, you need to pinch the tops of the petunia cuttings for proper formation and plant them in separate containers.
