Despite a certain susceptibility to diseases and pests, petunias, which are available in many colors, are particularly popular as balcony plants. This is not least due to the high number of flowers, which are constantly forming and thus ensure an extremely long flowering period.
When is the flowering time of petunias?
The flowering period of petunias extends from May or June to October or November. To ensure long and lush flowering, the plants should be watered, fertilized and checked for pests regularly.
Perennial blooms in the garden and on the balcony
The first petunia flowers appear in May or June, depending on the location and time of cultivation. If the plants are then sufficiently watered and fertilized over the summer, new flowers will gradually form in a sunny spot. This abundance of flowers usually only ends in October or November, when the sensitive plants die off due to the first night frosts. If related species such as the magic bell are planted instead of the petunia, the opening and closing of the flowers can be observed depending on the time of day and the respective weather.
Proper care during the flowering period
Due to their origins in South America, petunias can tolerate locations in full sun. However, plants that require a lot of water and nutrients in a hot and dry place should also be watered regularly. The following things are also part of regular petunia care:
- fertilization at least weekly with suitable products (€8.00 on Amazon)
- regular checks for common petunia diseases
- checking for possible aphid infestation by pushing the densely growing shoots apart
Towards the end of the flowering period: What to do with the petunias?
Since petunias are not hardy outdoors, they are usually composted in the fall. However, they can be successfully overwintered if they are pruned vigorously and in suitable winter quarters.
Tip
For aesthetic reasons and for the benefit of plant he alth, wilted petunia flowers are regularly plucked off during the flowering period. But if you let the seed capsules on some flowers fully ripen, then you can grow petunias yourself from seeds on the windowsill for the new season from February onwards.
