Content
Multi-colored, voluminous petunia bushes have already won the hearts of many experienced and novice flower growers and gardeners. Their flowering period is mid-spring until the first frost. They decorate summer cottages, flower beds, balconies, verandas, restaurant and cafe areas. This flowering plant is not whimsical. However, one of the most important agrotechnical issues deserves attention, since the development and abundance of petunia flowering depends on this. In this article you will learn how to pinch petunia.
We will talk about why you need to pinch petunias. You will also learn about how this process is performed and what important points need to be observed in order for pinching a petunia to be completed successfully. Additionally, the question of how to simultaneously propagate petunia by cuttings will be considered. In addition, a thematic video will be provided to your attention.
What is the benefit of pinching
Flowering of petunia begins 3 months after germination. Plant growth is directed upward - towards warmth and light.
In view of this, pinching or shortening the top of the main stem is used.
By cutting the central stem, a new growth point begins to form, thus the petunia grows to the sides. This helps to increase the number of branches and, accordingly, buds. Pinching petunias promotes the development of a more lush and beautiful bush. In addition, this event improves the quality of flowering.
However, new larger buds are formed later on the side shoots.
To make the petunia bush voluminous and beautiful, it must be pinched several times. Moreover, this must be done already at the seedling stage. The first pinching can begin after the first five true leaves appear.
It is better to do this after planting in open ground. However, if the plant is kept indoors for a long time, due to the lingering spring cold, then pinching should be done after the appearance of five mature leaves. Otherwise, the petunia will grow and you will not be able to form compact bushes.
Pinching and pinching. What is the difference
Pinching is the removal of a growing point, which is carried out at the stage of growing seedlings. Thus, already at an early stage of development, a compact bush is obtained with lateral shoots on which beautiful flower buds are formed.
Tweezing is carried out with a sharp garden knife or nail scissors. Such an event must be carried out very carefully. Beginners in this business usually implement the formation of an adult plant by pinching.
Pinching, unlike pinching, is carried out on an adult plant. This technique allows the variety to be propagated using cuttings.
A month after the first pinching, the side shoots are shortened, which promotes their branching. All subsequent trimming is for decorative purposes and is not mandatory.
Conditions for pinching
In order for the formation process to go smoothly, it is important to comply with some formalities. So, you should prepare all the equipment in advance.
To carry out this manipulation, the gardener will need:
- Manicure scissors for pinching.
- Garden knife or pruning shears.
- Strong seedlings with five large leaves.
- Container for collecting cuttings.
We can conclude that pinching is as important a process as sowing seeds and picking seedlings. Therefore, you should not take this stage of petunia care lightly.
Some rules
You have already learned a lot about how to properly pinch petunia, however, we suggest you familiarize yourself with some more rules that will help you succeed in growing this beautiful flowering plant.
- Overgrown seedlings are not suitable for pinching. Therefore, carefully monitor the seedlings.
- The pinching process does not last long. The top must be cut off so that at least five leaves remain below.
- If petunia is transplanted into open ground, then it is pinched about three days after transplantation. This way, the petunia will have time to take root and pinching will not lead to its death.
- A sterile instrument should be used to cut shoots.
- The cut should be made in such a way as to minimize damage to the sprout.
- To make the buds larger, petunias need to additionally feed the plant with special fertilizers.
Incidental propagation of petunia
Carefully cut off the tops of petunia shoots can be used as cuttings to propagate the plant. To do this, the cuttings are placed in water and when roots appear on them, this indicates that it is time to plant them in the ground. In this case, the lower part of the stem should be cleared of leaves, leaving a few at the top. Planting cuttings is done quite tightly. In order for the sprouts to take root, they need to be watered and sprayed, as well as fed with fertilizers. Some gardeners use growth stimulants.
After the cuttings get stronger and begin to grow, they also need to be pinched. Elite and expensive varieties are more capricious; they can suffer from changes in temperature and moisture, as well as from exposure to wind and rain.
Conclusion
If you follow these rules for caring for petunia, you can grow beautiful bushes of this flowering plant, which will be no worse than in the photos given in this article. In addition, we invite you to watch a thematic video that will complement your knowledge:
