Growing Petunias from Seed. Resist the urge to cover the seeds with soil, petunia seeds need light to germinate. Flower seed packets rarely list estimated days to maturity, but most annual flowers need about 95 days from seed to flower. The advantages of starting petunias indoors are that you have a wider choice of varieties from which to choose, and you can raise large quantities of plants for less money. Continue Reading. How to Grow Petunias (with Pictures) - wikiHow If you are going to grow petunias from seed, start the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Cut off 3 to 5 inches of the stem just below a node (where leaves grow). Expect around 12 weeks from seed sowing to flowering. Growing from Seeds | Veseys Fast, carefree growth is a virtue, starting with short germination times. The very fine dust-like seed of petunias require light for germination. How to Overwinter Petunias | Gardener's Path Propagate Petunias for Winter-Bloom (Updated 2019) - Kevin ... How To Grow Hanging Baskets From Seed - Grow Big & Save ... Annual petunias can be grown from seed sown in late winter, but it will take about 10-12 weeks from sowing the seed until the seedlings are ready to plant out. Transplant the seedlings into individual biodegradable peat pots filled with potting soil when they have three true leaves. If your petunias start to flag or grow leggy, cut them back and fertilize them. There are red petunias, blue cultivars, white varieties, and combinations of all of the above. Germinating Petunias Fill a planting tray with damp potting soil. The main problem people find with growing petunias is in the size of the seeds. Bringing Outdoor Plants Inside - The Growing Place Petunias in pots can be left outdoors for the winter in warm areas, like zones 9 through 11. 2. The ruellia sun or shade means they require both conditions. The low growing types are ideal for the front of a flower border, in planters near doorways and pools, or on patios. If you do choose to grow from seeds, you will need to start them indoors 10-12 weeks . The annual or bedding petunias can be grown from seed sown indoors with warmth in spring in cell trays, seed trays or small pots at a temperature of 18-24°C (65-75°F). Black petunia plants should be acclimated to outdoor growing when started indoors. The main problem people find with growing petunias is in the size of the seeds. Seed is planted from late winter to summer and seedlings are available from late winter. Place the seeding flat in a tray with a half inch of water, and cover the tray with clear plastic. You should provide adequate sunlight and moisture to the seeds, for the seeds to germinate. To grow petunias, start in the early spring by picking an area with well-draining soil that gets at least 5-6 hours of full sunlight a day. The ten flowers listed here are quick to sprout, grow, and come into bloom, and most will reseed with a little encouragement. One of the most appealing features about growing petunias at home is that they come in different color combinations. These plants will grow to an impressive size, spreading as far as 2-3 feet in landscape (up to 5 feet diameter in a good year!) Germination should occur within 5-7 days. Here are the steps for planting petunias . If you grow petunias from seed, start them eight to 10 weeks before planting in beds. These conditions are significant to grow wild petunia. Outdoors. Grandiflora types have large blooms and are often used in hanging baskets and pots for maximum impact; multiflora types have more abundant . Tips for After Deadheading Petunias. The foil cover provides the necessary humidity. Although petunias are easy to grow outdoors from transplants, they may prove more challenging for beginning gardeners to start from seed. Wild Petunias can be propagated via cuttings towards and seeds. B. Question: When can petunias be planted outdoors? Sow petunia seeds indoors about 10 weeks before the intended outdoor planting date. But it can be worth the challenge to grow petunias from seed, especially if you're trying for a particular variety. It's usually safe to begin planting petunias in late April in southern Iowa and mid-May in northern parts of the state. Pinch off the petunia leaves on the bottom 1-½ inches of the stem. You'll save money because of the sheer number of plants you need, plus you'll have a much wider . The annual or bedding petunias can be grown from seed sown indoors with warmth in spring in cell trays, seed trays or small pots at a temperature of 18-24°C (65-75°F). Young plants not yet in bloom often settle in faster. Growing from Seed. Plant petunias either as seedlings or start from seeds. If starting the seeds early, it is ideal to germinate the seeds indoors in a warm place using bottom heat more than . Start your seeds at least 10 to 12 weeks before your zone's projected last frost date. When large enough to handle, prick out plants individually into cell trays or small pots and grow on at a temperature of 50-65°F (10-15°C) in good light. Use petunias everywhere there is sun. A thin layer of soil over the seeds puts down the risk of mold. Winter Sown petunias can successfully be done (via winter sowing in containers outside) in your zone in February & March and have germination by April. Pelleted or plain, sow petunia seeds by gently pressing them into moist seed-starting mix. Petunias are moderately easy to grow from seed, and extremely easy to grow from commercially grown seedlings. I repeat DO NOT COVER YOUR SEEDS WITH SOIL! And lastly, Wave Petunias are the trailing or spreading variety. If you use a larger container, give each plant about a 4-square-inches space. Place the tray in a warm and bright location. Sow the seeds thinly in trays of seed compost, water the compost before placing the seeds in the tray as watering after may wash the seeds away. Plant young petunias outdoors after your last spring frost date, but keep a close eye on the weather forecast and protect young plants from late frosts. FAQ. Most trailing petunias and other cultivars will be better for propagation via cuttings. You will have a great time growing different petunia varieties and creating color schemes that match your setting or take it in a totally unexpected different direction. In starter pots, plant the seeds in moist, rich potting soil. However, petunias can also be started indoors in late winter. If you want more Wild Petunias in your outdoor space or in indoor containers, know that propagating these plants is really easy. Sow petunia seeds in a growing medium indoors 10-12 weeks before planting outdoors. Sowing in seed trays. Gently lay 3-5 seeds on the top of the moisten soil {or Jiffy pellets} and lightly press the seeds into the soil. GROW . If you are going to grow petunias from seed, start the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Take cuttings from existing petunia plants and encourage them to grow roots. One for Petunias, next one for antirrhiniums, & the last one for digitalis camelots… *LEARN TO SOW ALL TYPS OF FLOWER SEEDS. The wave petunias will have fine, hair-like fibers along the stem that can develop into roots when placed in contact with potting soil or dirt. And the good news is that sowing petunia seeds isn't difficult at all. It will fit any size and shape of the plant… There's a real sense of satisfaction in growing your own show-stopping display of petunias from seed. Purchase healthy young petunias that are short and compact. That is a full month ahead of starting most vegetable seeds, but so important. As soon as temperatures drop to freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), garden petunias die. Spreading petunias make great ground covers, and trail down the sides of hanging baskets and pots. 8 Vertical Fence Garden Ideas. Petunias are so reliable and have such a wide variety of uses that it's no wonder it's one of the most popular garden flowers today.It's simple to buy a couple of petunia seedlings to fill one planter, but for mass plantings and garden edging, growing petunias from seed is the way to go. Seeds are planted too deep: We list this problem first, because many seeds end up too deep in the soil, and never see the light of day. Though petunias are quite easy to grow outdoors from transplants, amateur gardeners may find it difficult to grow them indoors. If you're planting petunias in containers, use a soil-less mix. Try 'Shock wave yellow', subtle sulphur coloured flower that looks great in a container. (See your local frost dates.) Plant petunias outdoors after the last expected frost when the plants stand at least 3 inches tall and have two or three leaves. Sow your Wave petunia seed into a moistened germination media or potting soil. Starting seeds indoors. You can plant one petunia plant in a 4-inch container, or plant up to four petunias in a 10- to 12-inch container. Spread: 18 inches to 4 feet. You can grow them in flower beds, hanging baskets (wave varieties are an especially good choice), patio containers (get creative!)…. Petunias benefit from light for best germination, therefore do not cover the seeds. ( See your local frost dates .) Petunias are plants that are loved by plant breeders and new types of petunia varieties are constantly being trialled. If you want more Wild Petunias in your outdoor space or in indoor containers, know that propagating these plants is really easy. It's best to buy transplants and plant them in light, well-drained soil in full sun after the last spring frost. To find out which location is best for petunias from May, see our article on growing petunias.