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Terry petunia is a variety of crop that attracts especially increased attention from gardeners due to its lush flowering. It can be an ideal solution for decorating a terrace or balcony, the center of any landscape design composition. It is loved for its abundant flowering, ease of care, and choice of varieties presented in a wide color palette.
Terry petunia is convenient to plant both in the ground and in pots
Description of terry petunia
Many gardeners consider petunia of the terry variety to be the most beautiful of the flowering low-growing ornamental plants, the main advantage of which is its large, usually more than 10 cm in diameter, and numerous bright inflorescences. Their petals are delicate, thin, corrugated or wavy, and may be rugged. They are arranged in several layers, which is why they give volume to the buds. The structure of the flower is velvety and can form folds.The color of the inflorescences is varied: pink, crimson, violet, purple, lilac, yellow, white. There are varieties whose petals in the center are painted in one color, and on the edges - in another.
Sometimes the color resembles blots
Terry petunia bushes are compact, often no more than 30 cm high. The leaf blades are oval-round in shape with pointed tips, bright green, and covered with small hairs. Their size is small, but the quantity is enough to give the bush a lush shape. The roots of terry petunia are straight, slightly branched, and short, so it can be grown in pots, flowerpots and boxes.
The flowering of the crop usually occurs in late spring and lasts until the arrival of the first frost. Since in Russia it is considered an annual, after flowering it is removed from flower beds.
Varieties with double flowers are considered hybrids with a lifespan of no more than a year
The best varieties of terry petunia with names and photos
To date, experts have bred more than two dozen varieties of terry petunia. All of them have external differences, which are manifested in the size of the bush, the shape of the leaf blades, and the color of the flowers. The varieties most often found in flower beds are terry petunia, photos and descriptions of which are presented below.
Sonata
The Sonata variety is a bush up to 30 cm high. It is quite branched, abundantly covered with large flowers, up to 12 cm in diameter. It is characterized by high resistance to various diseases.
Petunia Sonata flower petals are exclusively white
Angora
Angora is a densely double variety with medium-sized flowers (up to 7 cm in diameter). Their shade is very attractive, it can be salmon or soft pink. The bush is large, strongly branches, and grows up to half a meter in height.
The budding period of terry petunia Angora lasts from June to September
Double Cascade
Double Cascade is another abundantly branching variety of terry petunia, the bushes of which have a width and height of about 35 cm, although there are also dwarf varieties up to 15 cm. The flowers are graceful, wavy, dense, their diameter is approximately 10 cm. The color of the inflorescences different: blue, lilac, pink. In hot weather, the buds emit a tobacco aroma.
Double Cascade has been pleasing gardeners with its elegant flowers for a long time.
Valentina
Terry petunia Valentine is characterized by numerous inflorescences that resemble carnations in appearance. Their petals are highly corrugated and colored red, pink or crimson. Medium-sized bushes - from 25 to 40 cm in height, strong, densely branched.
Valentina has good drought resistance
Pirouette
Pirouette is a densely double variety with bushes about 35 cm tall. The flowers of the crop are large, up to 12 cm in diameter. Their color is usually expressed in two tones: pink, red or purple with a white edging.
Pirouette petunia flower petals corrugated
Duo
The multi-flowered petunia variety Duo is characterized by densely double spherical flowers of lilac, purple, pink, red, and crimson colors. Flowering is abundant and can be observed from early summer to autumn.
Duo inflorescences are small, on average 5 cm in diameter
When to plant terry petunia for seedlings
It is best to start growing terry petunia from seeds in February, but this is subject to additional lighting of the seedlings. The crop is sown so early that by the time it needs to be planted, the bushes have already grown and acquired relatively strong immunity.
In the absence of additional lighting, or when sowing terry petunia seeds for seedlings in cold areas, work is postponed until March.
How to grow terry petunia
You can propagate terry petunia in two ways:
- generative;
- vegetative.
The second method is simpler and preferable. Involves cutting off the tops of the shoots and rooting them in wet sand. The first is more difficult and can cause many difficulties.
Seed preparation
Growing terry petunia through seedlings begins with the purchase and preparation of seeds. It is recommended to purchase them in trusted stores.
Seeds are offered on the market in loose and granular forms. They are already prepared by the manufacturer and do not require stimulation or disinfection, although if there is no information about this on the packaging, it is still better to soak them for 20-30 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate.
There are more loose seeds in the package, they are cheaper, but granulated ones are more convenient to sow
Planting terry petunia for seedlings
To plant terry petunia seedlings with seeds, you first need to prepare a container. To do this, place a layer of drainage on its bottom, and then pour pre-disinfected soil. Planting material is sown without deepening it, but only pressing it slightly with the palm of your hand. Afterwards, the plantings are moistened with a growth stimulator, spraying it from a spray bottle. Next, the container is covered with glass or film and placed in a warm room with a temperature of about +23 ° C until germination.
Seedling care
Caring for terry petunia seedlings involves a number of procedures:
- Every day, the shelter from the containers is removed briefly for ventilation.
- The soil is moistened as necessary with warm water from a spray bottle.
- When seedlings emerge, the seedlings are hardened off, increasing the duration of their ventilation and gradually lowering the temperature to +18 C, and after a few days the boxes are completely opened.
- After two true leaves appear on the seedlings, they are picked out in separate cups, and when the roots fill the containers, they are replanted or planted in a permanent place.
Many gardeners say that seedlings of terry varieties of petunia are weaker than others
Transplantation into open ground
They begin to plant terry petunia in open ground closer to mid-May or even early June. It all depends on the weather. Despite the fact that the plant is resistant to light frosts, it is better to plant young seedlings when the threat has completely passed.
Planting is carried out in previously dug and fertilized soil, the interval between plants is maintained at least 30 cm, the root collar is not buried. When all the plants are planted, the flowerbed is watered.
Caring for terry petunia
Like any plant, terry petunia should be properly cared for. Although it is not one of the demanding ornamental crops, it still needs attention. The basic rules for plant care are:
- Watering. Carry out as it dries, using settled water at a temperature approximately the same as the environment.
- Loosening. Organize after each moistening and remove weeds at the same time.
- Fertilizer. Apply once every two weeks. They use complex products, minerals, and organic matter.
- Topping. Performed to ensure abundant flowering of the bush. All fading flowers must be removed.
When caring for terry petunia, many gardeners mulch it
Diseases and pests
Most varieties of terry petunia have fairly good immunity to diseases and harmful insects. However, if care is not properly organized, the plant becomes susceptible to certain ailments. Troubles that can be encountered in the process of growing crops include mold, powdery mildew, rot and chlorosis.
Among the parasites that can attack petunia are spider mites, whiteflies and plant aphids.
Conclusion
Terry petunia is a representative of a large genus of flowering plants, which appeared thanks to many years of work by breeders. The culture has many varieties that bloom with gorgeous bright buds throughout the summer. It can become a decoration for any flower bed, looks great in flowerpots and flowerpots, and can be grown in boxes on balconies and loggias.
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