Petunia ampelnaya: the best varieties and cultivation features

Among the crops grown for decorative purposes, ampelous petunia stands out. Yes, she cannot displace roses from the first positions, but she can be a successful companion to them. To achieve an optimal result, you need to understand all the intricacies and specifics of use.

The ampelous petunia stands out in the world of flower cultures for its completely unusual colors and extraordinary looking peduncles. Having looked at it once, people will not forget how this plant looks like. The length of the shoots can reach 1.2 m. But sometimes it is about 0.3 m. When the plant develops, they effectively fall down.

The creeping shape of the stems is not the only advantage of the ampelous petunia. The foliage is soft and slightly pubescent on top. The older the plant, the more leaves it has.... Flowers are found in large numbers. Each shoot sinus makes it possible for one flower to form. Outwardly, they look more like bells.

Flowers can be milky white, purple, and even more exotic colors. The petals are dyed in 2 different colors. The inner part of the petal is always brighter and richer than the outer side of it. As a result, ampelous petunias form, indeed, unique "living carpets". But it will be even more accurate to represent them if you compare them with another variety.

An important feature of the cascading petunia is that this varietal group also has creeping stems. Sometimes the name "semi-ampel" group of varieties is found. It is extremely demanded by domestic gardeners and decorators. Gioconda can be especially attractive. It produces flowers painted in different tones, forming a ball.

A giant flower cap develops almost from the very root. The severity of this cluster is so great that it falls to the ground from its own weight. Botanists have established that cascading petunias are a type of ampelous group. They develop strong, elastic shoots. The main stem can be directed both upward and to the sides.

If in purely ampelous varieties the length of shoots reaches only 1.5 m, then in cascade varieties they can be up to 2 m. In this case, the thickness of the shoot also increases. Additionally, its strong growth is noted.

Ampel plants are abundantly covered with flowers, which has already been noted. Cascading flowers give even a smaller number of flowers, but they are larger in size, and in addition, they can have different colors on the same plant. The difference in the characteristics of the plant dictates the different approach to cultivation. Those who decide to start an ampelous petunia can do with a modest capacity.

Cascading ones require a much larger tank (minimum capacity 5 liters). Accordingly, you will need either hanging pots or flower beds (as an option, large stationary flowerpots and supports). If the plant can only direct the shoots down, it will have to be pinched. If the shoots can be oriented in different directions, pinching will only slow down growth, weakening the bush itself.

In a conversation about the best varieties of ampelous petunias, it is impossible to ignore Easy Wave. This variety has an impressive variety and ease of cultivation. Some experts consider these petunias semi-ample, as they form a spherical or dome-like crown. The plant can be planted in a floor planter. However, some growers are experimenting with hanging placement, and even with open ground.

The length of the lash is sometimes 1 m. When cultivated in a container, each specimen requires the use of at least 8 liters of soil. Easy Wave blooms profusely, the leaves are almost impossible to see.

The varietal group of surfinii is distinguished by active growth and resistance to negative meteorological conditions. Flowers may appear with:

• purple;
• white;
• red;
• purple;
• in blue.

The plant sometimes grows up to 0.7 m. Surfinia are grown both in the sun and in partial shade. For this, suspended, floor planters can be used. Outdoor cultivation is possible, but rarely practiced.

"Table Yellow" - one of the newest varieties included in the group of surfinia.

"Avalanche" used mainly for decorating closed balconies and gazebos in private gardens. Petals can have one of five colors:

• red;
• orange;
• white;
• blue;
• pink coloration.

Truly ampelous culture is deservedly considered Velvet F1. The plant is covered with velvet foliage. The same velvety is inherent in the petals of the buds. Velvets are popular as honey plants and as bait for pollinating insects.

"Opera Supreme" - a kind of hybrid. The stems of this mixture can grow up to more than 1 m. The small-flowered culture is characterized by minimal whimsy. Flowering can occur at any length of daylight hours. At home, Opera Supreme is distinguished by year-round flowering. If you choose a plant with active flowering, you can give preference and "Mashenka".

It has thick leaves and juicy pink flowers (the center is yellow). The plant is not susceptible to diseases. Very often used "Explorer", which gives the widest range of colors. Shoots can reach as much as 1.5 m, while they are strong and not destroyed even by a fairly strong wind.

Black Velvet is an incredibly beautiful hybrid variety. She forms black velvet flowers. Their diameter is up to 0.08 m. At the same time, the growth of a highly branching bush can range from 0.25 to 0.35 m. The culture looks even outwardly mysterious and romantic.

Petunias "Purple Falls F2" are recommended by the developers of the variety for:

• hanging basket;
• a box on the balcony;
• garden container.

The variety blooms as abundantly as the best surfinias. Excellent resistance to rain and high temperatures guaranteed. There is a positive experience when using the "Purple Falls" not only in vertical plantings, but also in horizontal floral carpets.

Sometimes it turns out to be an attractive choice. "Enchanting waterfall". Reviews about this culture confirm its excellent qualities. If the care is carried out correctly, even from a small amount of seeds, rich shoots can be obtained. You can safely choose such a variety for summer cottage cultivation.

As for a variety such as Rapunzel - This is an ampelous plant, the shoots of which can reach 0.8 m. Flowers with a diameter of 0.08 m are formed on the falling stems. The variety is considered very resistant to drought.You can safely leave the plants on the balcony or loggia - nothing terrible will happen in a few days.

"Success Violet" - a variety that attracts with the early appearance of flowers. All plants of this group are uniform in terms of ripening, which is very convenient in the household. Individual specimens can reach a height of 0.35 m. In this case, the shoots are extended by 0.7-0.9 m. The variety is supplied with seeds in the form of pills.

If there is a desire to grow terry petunia, then it will do "Shock Wave". However, this plant can also produce "simple" flowers.

Snow-white inflorescences look unusually graceful against the background of emerald leaves. Shock Wave is also appreciated as a lovely houseplant. And also it is not difficult to propagate it by cuttings.

Rose Wayne F1 attractive in that it can bloom the whole summer in a row. Moreover, under favorable conditions, the plant looks beautiful from the onset of warmth to the return of winter.

"Parple Velvet F1" differs in colors of the same size. The hybrid is extremely popular and has very long branches - up to 1 m inclusive. Such powerful shoots develop in a short time.

"Opera Blue" forms dome-like bushes. Daylight hours have almost no effect on the development of culture. You can achieve a decent appearance both in the ground, and on the balcony, and in street pots. To ensure full development, you will have to use containers with a volume of 6-7 liters at first.

And here "Wave purple classic" - like other representatives of the Wave family - it blooms very early, abundantly and steadily.

Hanging shoots can stretch up to 1 m. Duration of flowering - July, August, September. If autumn is warm, part of October is sometimes captured. Petunias of this variety are planted mainly in pots or hanging baskets.

As you can see from the description of many varieties of petunias, they can be planted in pots. But at the same time, it is required to strictly observe the principles of agricultural technology. If it is possible to support the seedlings with artificial lighting, the timing of planting seeds can be very early - even in February it is already possible. If this is not possible, you will have to wait until about March 15 (and sometimes a little longer). The main reference point in this case will be daylight hours.

The soil for planting seeds should be loose and contain nutrients. The lightness of the structure is also very important. The optimal composition of the planting soil is as follows:

• 1 part of selected sand;
• 2 parts of bog peat;
• 2 pieces of turf;
• 2 pieces of leafy land;
• 2 parts high quality humus.

The soil on top should be as light as possible. Simple loosening is not enough here - sifting is also needed. When about a day remains before sowing, the landing site is watered. A small amount of dry sand is also added there. Acceleration of seed development is possible by covering them with polyethylene or glass.

The container is transferred to a room with an air temperature of about +21.22 degrees Celsius. It will take about a week to wait for shoots. As soon as the growth appears, it must be carefully looked after. Humidity should be kept within the optimum range, without drying out and without condensation. As soon as the first foliage appears, the film or glass must be removed.

As soon as the seedlings in the pots have hardened, you can prepare for planting them in the ground. The best moment is the evening, when the weather is cloudy, but not damp. It is advisable to transplant seedlings together with the soil in the pots. The size of the holes for seedlings is at least 0.1x0.1 m. The distance between seedlings is determined according to their dimensions.

Varieties with large flowers should be placed at least 0.24 m.But in the case of ampelous plants, the situation is even more serious - there should be a distance of at least 0.3 m.After the end of the transplant, you should take care of the fastest rooting. The best way is mulching with humus or peat. Such techniques help, among other things, improve protection against accidental frost.

Last of all, when transplanting, petunia is watered. As soon as flowering begins, you need to closely monitor the lower flowers. The best specimens are selected from them. Seeds are collected from already withered and finally ripe buds. Only they can contain flawless seeds.

Most often, planting material matures in 75 days. But special attention must be paid to the selection of a suitable variety. Terry ampelous petunias are unlikely to come in handy - they simply will not transmit the necessary qualities "by inheritance." Even experienced and diligent growers may not achieve a good and stable result. Occasionally, flowers appear with a heterogeneous size, configuration, and even with a different tonality.

Large-flowered varieties can begin to bloom at 85-90 days. Small-flowered varieties have a higher growth rate - flowering begins at 70 or 75 days. It is imperative to achieve decent backlighting in the first stage of the growing season. Some gardeners are growing already flowering petunias, which are sold in a number of stores. After planting, with proper care, they will be able to bloom almost until the end of the calendar autumn.

Good seedlings can only be grown with round-the-clock illumination. At night, it must be muted, but it cannot be removed completely. Important: you should carefully observe the thermal regime when cultivating petunias. Transplanting into new containers is done as soon as the roots look out. It is possible to increase the stretching of seedlings by adding soil; if the variety is capricious, it must be planted from a peat tablet.

Ampel petunia should be planted in the house on the south windows. The maximum amount of sun is very important to her. If there is not enough sunlight, due to fluorescent lamps, insolation can be extended up to 17 hours per day (± 3 hours). Sand, loam or sandy loam are suitable from soils.

To grow an ampelous petunia at home, you will have to comply with strict requirements. If you do not have sufficient experience in gardening, it is better to give up such attempts altogether.

Culture will be able to fully demonstrate its design qualities only if the basic rules are carefully followed. Lack of moisture turns into stickiness of foliage and even more serious ailments.

It is necessary to irrigate ampelous petunia with a significant amount of water. The older the specimen, the more liquid it will need. These are the needs of the green mass. Flowers grown in pots are advised to be dipped in water from time to time, even together with a container.

It usually happens with too frequent irrigation. If moisture has evaporated from the surface, but the soil as a whole is not yet dry, it is not allowed to water. Checking is done by rubbing the soil in your hand. Adequate dryness for watering is achieved if the soil simply cascades down and does not give noticeable traces. Problems can arise if there is no way to regularly water the plant.

Therefore, those who cannot normally maintain the culture, are forced to leave it for a while, it is necessary to use a hydrogel... This substance conserves moisture and prevents it from rapidly evaporating. This technique allows you to water the petunias twice or three times less often than usual. Of course, only clean, settled water should be used. It is not required to specially soften it, except in the most difficult cases.

You can support petunia during cultivation with special mixtures. It is best to combine feeding and watering.Make-up is carried out in the form of two-week cycles. The first week of the cycle involves watering with water mixed with humates. Potassium sulfate is added in the second week. The most intensive feeding is carried out at planting.

Later, the amount of added substances is reduced. If you leave it the same, you will not be able to achieve abundant flowering. The limiting concentration of liquid dressings is 0.005 kg per 10 liters of water. The need to combine watering and the use of fertilizers is due to the fact that in dry soil, top dressing can burn delicate roots.

The ampel petunia must be pinched to activate the formation of new buds and foliage. Shoots are removed by about 2/3. If you carry out the procedure correctly, it will be possible to maintain the graceful appearance of the plant throughout the growing season. Temporarily the development of new buds after pruning will be inhibited. But on the side shoots, the largest buds can be provided.

For the first time, pinching is done at the stage of seedling formation. You need to start it when 5 real leaves appear. It is recommended that you plant the petunia in open ground first. But you can't pull too hard with pinching. If the flower has already grown, it will not work to achieve compactness of the bushes.

In addition, it is highly desirable to plant petunias in store-bought soil. It is too sensitive to unfavorable factors to be able to create a good potting mix without experience.

Experts do not advise germinating seeds later than the second decade of April. Later, during the cultivation of the ampelous culture itself, fertilizers in granules can be used along with liquid mixtures. They are selected taking into account agronomic recommendations. You need to pour water strictly at the root. Moistening the flowers can lead to problems with them.

The next day after watering, the trunk circle must be weeded out and loosened. Strong crusts must not be allowed to form. Preservation of petunia bushes from one season to another is possible in a well-lit place where the air temperature is from +7 to +10 degrees.

Along with the usual pinching, you need to carry out full-fledged pruning. When only the tip of the shoot is removed, the stimulation of new shoots still does not occur. Recommendation: so that pruning does not spoil the appearance of the bush, it is done in stages. Once a week, 2 or 3 branches are harvested.

It is undesirable to plant several varieties of petunias in one area at the same time. This can lead to over-pollination, but it is extremely difficult to avoid it. Reproduction by cuttings is justified only for especially valuable and expensive varieties. Some growers prefer to grow petunia as part of an alpine slide. There her ingenuous beauty is revealed most fully.

How to plant ampelous Petunia, see below.