Petunia

Petunia hybrida is the scientific name for the flower Petunia. It is a widely cultivated species of flowering plant which is in the family Solanaceae. It is a very popular plant which has got its name from the French .The name for the plant has its origin from a Tupi-Guarani language. Petunia flower is seen in gardens as hybrids. The flower Petunia is one of the best summer flowering annuals. They look amazing in a massed display. They look superb in good pots and hanging baskets .They are available in wide color range and are present in every color except in orange color. They can be found in bloom if the faded flowers are removed in regular intervals. The Petunia plants grow to a height of 10-16 inches. Even though they can be used as cut flowers they give the best view when they are present in the garden. They are present in a variety of size and color and hence it is an awesome view to the eyes of a spectator which would be cherished for long.

Petunia have a long flowering period, are easy to grow and are available in many forms and colors. Some of the botanists have place the plants of the genus Calibrachoa in the genus Petunia. Botanically, tobacco plants and petunias are related. The seeds of Petunia are really hard to handle. While planting it is better to cover with a dusting of soil and water from the bottom of the pot so as to avoid dislodging of seeds. When the seedlings are found to be 1-2 inches tall they can be transplanted outdoors at intervals of six to eight inches in soil that has been enriched with compost or manure. Then pinch out the growing tips when they reach a height of 3-4 inches so as to encourage the bushy growth of the Petunia plant. In order to establish the plant so as to have a flourishing growth we have to wait until the soil dries out to water. Overwatering the plants will result in the death of plant, this is because over watering will result in foliage to the yellow. Hence the plant will eventually die. Even if we are applying over fertilizers, it will also result in an abundance of foliage with few flowers. During the growing season of the plant the supplemental feeding should be limited to one or two. In order to encourage a second blooming the plants should be cut back after the first flowering flush. Petunias grow well in most soils. Best growth occurs in well-drained, light soil of medium fertility. If the soil or the area is poorly drained, you can build raised beds to grow good petunias. They prefer soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

To purchase Petunia it is always preferred to buy healthy young petunias that are short and compact. Leggy, thin plants are slow to adjust to outdoor conditions. Young plants which are not yet in bloom often settle in faster. Petunias are commonly thought to be as annuals even though they are perennial plants, which mean that they actually may survive for several years under ideal conditions. The most beautiful breed of Petunias is Brandy. One of the best online florists in the world, Blooming Britain, has a wide range of Petunias to select from.