Petunia is a favorite plant among gardeners in our country, thanks to its beauty, abundant long-term flowering and unpretentious care. Particularly beautiful is the amulet petunia, similar to a waterfall of flowers. In this article we will consider the features of growing and caring for this plant, as well as address the issue of choosing a suitable pot.
Features of the plant
The word ampelnaya comes from the German ampel - vaz. All ampelous plants are characterized by long creeping or falling shoots. Ampel petunia possesses elongated shoots up to 120 cm inherent in such plants with elegant bells of flowers, suitable for planting in hanging pots or tall vases, boxes. It is also suitable for creating flower cover. One plant is able to cover with a uniform carpet up to 2 m of the earth.
The color palette of ampelous petunias is quite wide: all shades of pink, purple, white, yellow and others. The size of the flowers in different varieties are also diverse - from small to large, similar to carnation.
There are also ampelous and semi-amber petunias, which differ in the length of the shoots.
How to choose a suspension tank?
A planter is a vessel in which a flower pot fits., it has a greater degree of decorative function, and the pot - utilitarian. Initially, pots were designed to hide ordinary clay pots to make decorative room, setting. Thus, the pots perform the function of a pallet, but increasingly, plants are planted directly in pots without using a pot.
On the modern market pots are represented in a wide variety of materials, designs, colors. So how to choose? First of all, one should proceed from a practical point of view. If we are talking about ampelous petunia, then it is mainly planted on verandas, gazebos, balconies, around the house, that is, in open areas and rooms. Consequently, it is necessary to choose a material that will not deteriorate from rain, wind and sun. In this case, suitable plastic, ceramics and metal.
For ampel petunias, hanging pots are most suitable. Here are some popular varieties.:
- Cache-pot on a metal chain with an insert made of cocovites.
- Plastic pots with imitation rattan.
- Simple plastic pots.
- Cache pot with fastening for balconies and fences.
The advantages of hanging pots include such characteristics:
- save horizontal spaces;
- can be placed where there is no support;
- high mobility, for example, during frosts can be easily brought to a warm room.
Also similar to hanging in their characteristics are wall vases, which can perfectly decorate the walls of your gazebo or terrace.
An interesting type of pots in the form of a floor vase, in which the ampelous plants will descend by a beautiful waterfall all the way to the ground. Such a vase can be made of plastic and ceramics.
You can build a high vase from several large, more flat vases, if you put one on top of another, then in your garden there will be a kind of fountain of flowers.
The rest of the gardener when choosing pots, you should be guided by your taste preferences and the overall style of the houseso that the pots are combined with each other and with their surroundings, then the flowers will become a decoration of the space and will look harmonious.
A photo
Then you can see a photo of petunias in pots, including those located around the house:
What varieties are better to plant?
In pots can be planted any varieties of petunias, but the most suitable are the following varieties of ampelous and semi-amber petunias:
Surfinia
Especially love Russian florist. Characterized by a variety of colors, resistance to natural phenomena, splendor bloom, fast vegetation.
Catherine
Hybrid variety. Stem length up to 80 cm. Flowers of rich color: bright pink or pink-red streaked. The diameter of the flower is 6-7 cm. It blooms magnificently.
Explorer
The variety has very long strong stems up to 150 cm. The plant is very hardy. Flowers large, wax. The colors of the flowers of this variety can be very different.
Black velvet
Relatively new variety of ampelous petunias. Buds large up to 8 cm, velvety beautiful black.
Easy wave red
Stem length about 1 m. Variety plants have bright red small flowers. Thick bloom is also characteristic.
Mashenka
The length of the stem is 70-80 cm. Small flowers look like a funnel 3-5 cm, dense bloom, pink color with a yellow center.
Wonderwave or Fortunia
It is also a very popular variety in our country. The length of the shoots from one to 1.5 meters. The diameter of the flower is 5-7 cm. Flowers can be of different colors.
The Snow Queen
Stem length up to 80 cm. Variety with characteristic beautiful white flowers. Flowers grow very thick.
Instructions: how to plant?
Healthy seedlings can be transplanted into pots just before being transported to the open air or transplanted as soon as it becomes obvious that the root system of the plant does not have enough space. On the street, petunia can be taken out after the threat of spring frosts has passed.
If the planter is used for its intended purpose, that is, as a decorative pallet, then there is no difficulty in transplanting the plant; you just need to put the pot in the appropriate size pot.
If we fill the soil directly into the pots, then in this case drainage holes must be made at the bottom.which are usually not provided there so that excess moisture flows through these openings. This measure will prevent rotting of the roots.
Instructions for transplanting petunias in pots:
- Choose a planter with a large enough diameter so that the plant has room to grow.
- Prepare and disinfect the soil. Petunia loves a neutral or slightly acidic soil with a high content of sand. You can buy ready-made mix. It is possible to disinfect by heating in the microwave, watering with potassium permanganate or other special compounds.
- Pour the drainage mixture to the bottom: perlite, coconut chips, etc., and tamp the bottom with the soil.
- Turn the pot (capacity) with wet seedlings, careful not to damage the roots.
- Replant the plant in pots, fill the cavities with soil, tamp.
- Water the plant.
The first time after transplanting flowers is better to protect from direct sunlight.
We offer to watch a video on how to properly plant petunias in pots:
How many pieces can I place?
Ampel petunia is characterized by rapid growth and lush flowering, so no more than two plants are planted in one pot. Sometimes, by planting several varieties in a single container that match the color, unusual flower arrangements can be created.
Care
- A place. They have petunia on the southern sunny side, as the plant is sun-sweet.
- Watering. Petunia is moisture-loving, but it tolerates dry periods quite well. A sign that watering is required is drying of the top layer of soil, if it is not smeared on the fingers, as well as wilting of the flowers. On particularly hot days, watering is possible 2 times a day, at other times - once a day.
In order not to water the plant too often, some gardeners add hydrogel balls or baby diapers to the soil, which hold the liquid and give it to the plant as needed.
- Top dressing. 1-2 weeks after transplantation, the plant can be fed. During the period when the green mass is formed, petunia needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers to strengthen the shoots and stimulate growth.
After the appearance of the first buds, fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be started, excluding nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Also, to prevent yellowing of leaves should use iron-containing fertilizers. Feeding should be carried out at least once every 2 weeks.
- Trimming. Some varieties also require pruning to form a neat plant appearance. Also, to preserve the decorative it is necessary to remove withered flowers and yellowed leaves.
- Transfer. Sometimes petunia outgrows the size of its pot, which affects the health and appearance of the plant. In this case, the plant needs to be transplanted into a larger container.
In general, petunia is loved by many for its unpretentiousness and will suit even novice gardeners. No wonder it is actively used in the design of public places, squares, courtyards, etc.
Ampel petunia is a beautiful and unpretentious plant and will decorate your garden, yard or balcony. With proper care and selection of a suitable pot, it will delight you with lush blooms until frost.
