A simple and accessible 7-point guide to when and how to sow petunia seeds for seedlings in 2024.

Petunias in bloom are often seen in many gardens and parks. Experienced gardeners recommend choosing favorable days for planting seeds according to the lunar calendar. They also advise against ignoring the aforementioned unfavorable periods when it's not advisable to undertake the "work." If the desired date isn't listed, it's called a "neutral" date.

Lunar calendar for 2024

The basic rule is that we need periods when the moon is waxing. We ignore the new moon and the full moon, as these are unfavorable days. The dates "before" and "after" also count as unfavorable. The waning moon is generally neutral in this case.

Regions

The soil warms up at different times in different regions. Plants should be planted outdoors once the weather has become consistently warm. Don't plant again until the threat of frost has passed.

In the Moscow region, petunia seeds can be planted from February 10th to 15th until mid-March. In central Russia, this is the best time, as the bushes will form by early May. To prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy, they are given light.

In the Western North, the Urals, and Siberia, the optimal period is considered to be from 10:00 to 15:00 until the end of March, sometimes even early April is possible. Avoid earlier plantings, as the seedlings will have to be kept indoors for too long and will become too leggy.

As for southern Russia and Ukraine, the optimal period is from mid-January to February. However, in the Far East, it's best to start no earlier than early April.

Adviсe

Last year's seeds are ideal for planting, but you can also use seeds from 2-3 years ago. Hybrid varieties purchased from specialty stores will also enhance your garden.

The timing depends on the petunia variety and cultivar. Cascading and trailing varieties are planted first. Double varieties are planted a little later. Varieties with small and large flowers are planted even later.

For healthy, high-quality seedlings, use fresh store-bought seeds or high-quality home-grown seeds. Abundant seedlings should be thinned out.

Selection and preparation of seeds

Before deciding to plant, keep in mind that different petunia varieties, in addition to varying flower shapes and colors, need their own space. Trailing and cascading varieties are best grown in pots, while bush varieties are grown directly in flower beds. Each variety has its own density. For example, Superbissima and double petunias are not particularly dense and appear disheveled when in bloom. Varieties such as Multiflora and Surfinia appear fuller when in bloom.

Some varieties of seeds germinate well within 5-6 years. When purchasing seeds, carefully check their expiration date, as storage conditions affect germination.

Experienced gardeners recommend choosing seeds from trusted brands, which include:

• Aelita;
• Plasma seeds;
• SeDeK;
• Russian vegetable garden;
• Article;
• Gavrish and others.

When purchasing granulated planting material, it must be planted in well-moistened soil. Otherwise, dissolution will be difficult, meaning germination will take a long time.

Soil preparation and sowing

For planting seeds, use shallow, wide containers or plastic pots with drainage holes. Pre-treated pelleted seeds can be sown in pellets or individual cups.

Pre-prepared containers are disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, then washed with soda ash and rinsed well under water.

Petunias grow and bloom well in loose, nutritious soil with a slightly acidic or neutral pH. The soil should be moisture-retentive. Stender's soil mix is ​​considered a good commercial potting mix, but for every 5 kg of this soil, you should add:

• 1 tbsp each of potassium sulfate and Kemira;
• 200 g coarse sand;
• half a liter jar of wood ash.

Many gardeners prepare their petunia soil themselves. To do this, mix one part garden soil and one part perlite, then add two parts peat. Sift everything through a coarse sieve, then a fine sieve, and water according to the instructions with one of the following solutions: Extrasol, Gliokladin, Previkur, or Barrier.

Place a thin drainage layer at the bottom of the cup; you can use crushed rock or expanded clay. Add the prepared soil mixture on top, leaving about 2 cm from the top. Mix the seed with fine sand, moisten the soil, and distribute it evenly over the surface.

No need to cover or plant deeply. Spray lightly, cover with plastic or glass, and place on a well-lit windowsill. The cups should be kept in a room where the temperature does not drop below 24°C.

After the seeds sprout, air them out twice a day, remembering to remove any water droplets that have accumulated on the cover. Initially, air them out for 20 minutes, then increase the time and decrease the room temperature. It should be 20°C during the day and 17°C at night.

As for soil moisture, it is maintained at a constant level. Once the seedlings reach the cover, it is removed.

Seedlings grown in winter and early March require additional lighting. Initially, they require almost constant light for 14-21 days, but later, 12 hours a day is sufficient. Artificial lighting is provided using lamps and special phytolamps, which are placed 25 cm above the seedlings.

Care Features

At the very beginning, seedlings focus their energy on developing their root system. At this time, they are thinned out, removing weakly growing ones. The soil in which they grow should neither dry out nor be too wet. Water with water at room temperature; it should be settled, soft, and free of any impurities.

Avoid contact with the leaf surface, and be careful not to wash away the soil. On cloudy days, perform the procedure in the morning; on sunny days, in the evening. Seven days after the seedlings emerge, and then a week later, spray the plants with a weak solution of Previkur.

After four true leaves have formed, petunias are fed with Kristalon. To prepare, dissolve 1 teaspoon in 5 liters of water. A week later, spray with Uniflor-Micro, following the instructions carefully. Throughout their growth, the seedlings are fed with foliar and root fertilizers three times a week.

If seedlings are planted in nutritious soil, then fertilizers are not applied so often, they are reduced, or they are fertilized only if the plant is developing poorly, has too thin shoots, and the leaves are becoming faded.

As soon as three pairs of true leaves appear, the seedlings are pricked out into cups filled with potting mix. They are replanted with a root ball. After the soil has settled, water them. Initially, the seedlings need protection from direct sunlight, and the temperature should be 4°C lower.

Such measures will prevent the bushes from stretching out, and after a week it will need to be raised again.

You should start feeding the transplanted plant no earlier than 5 days and no later than 10 days.

To prevent the seedlings from stunting their development, a root stimulant is added to the soil after 14 days. Seedlings grown from tablets do not need to be pricked out. If roots begin to emerge from the bottom and sides, the seedlings, along with the tablet, are transferred to a larger container.

Pinching, which involves removing the top of the rosette, will make petunia bushes bushier. Vigorous varieties and hybrids are pruned above the fourth leaf. New shoots will begin to emerge from the axils of each leaf. The procedure is repeated every two weeks, twice.

Pinching doesn't work for cascading and trailing varieties. No matter how much you pinch off the tops, the side shoots barely grow. Hardening off should begin 14 days before the intended planting date.

Potential problems when growing

If the seeds are planted too deeply, germination may not occur. Fragile seedlings will die from constant temperature fluctuations and lack of light. The plant is at risk of fungal diseases, particularly blackleg, if the room is cool and the humidity is very high. Infected petunias are not treated; they are removed, and the soil is watered with a 40% Formaldehyde solution or Maxim.

After this, the soil should dry out completely throughout its depth. Iron deficiency causes chlorosis. Seedlings should not be overwatered, as this will disrupt their nutrition. Ferovit can be used to save the plant. Petunias are often plagued by spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions. To combat this, treat seedlings with Actellic, Fitoverm, and other biological products.

Petunias are naturally wild plants, but breeders have developed hybrid and garden varieties from their seeds. This has made it possible to grow these flowers both indoors and outdoors. With proper care, they will bloom throughout the warm season without causing any problems.

The key to long, abundant, and early flowering is timely and properly prepared seedlings. Carefully selected, high-quality seeds sown on favorable dates in 2024 will sprout quickly. They will grow strong bushes with a good root system.