Petunias are becoming more popular every year. Earlier, bushes with pretty bright gramophones were grown mainly in parks and near public institutions. Recently, the blooming plant is increasingly adorned with facades of houses and verandas of cafes, growing in suspended containers and multi-tiered flower beds. The thing is that the choice of varieties of flowers that can be purchased has been expanded: along with the cluster forms, cascade and ampelian petunias have appeared on sale.
A lot of discussion raises the question, what is the difference between ampel and cascade petunias? Petunia creeping cascade - the middle between cluster flowers and ampel. In fact, cascade varieties - a group of ampel. They have flexible stems, but thicker and not as long as in purely ampel forms, and cascade petunias grow at first, stretching upwards, and then begin to hang out under their own weight. Usually, in cactaceous petunia, flowers are larger than those of ampel.
How to grow cascade petunia?
When breeding petunia cascade, a method of growing from seeds is usually used. To get a lush, viable plant, you need to acquire quality seed and good neutral soil. You can buy a ready petunia soil in a specialized store or prepare the soil mixture yourself from peat, turf, humus and clean sand, taken in equal parts.
Seed sowing takes place in February-March. A small claydite layer is made on the bottom of the container intended for cultivation of the flower culture, and the soil substrate is laid on top. Seeds of petunia are scattered over the ground, and the top is covered with a very thin layer of soil (1 - 3 mm). Plantings are covered with a film or glass and kept in a warm room at a temperature of +20 ... +25 degrees. During the first two weeks, daily watering from the atomizer is carried out, a little bit of manganese can be added to the water to stimulate growth. In the future, the number of watering is reduced. 2 - 3 times fertilizing seedlings. As a fertilizer, "Epin" or "Zircon" is best suited.
When the first leaves appear, the cascade petunia is planted in small peat pots, which in May, together with the strengthened sprouts, are placed in the open ground. When grown in a pendent pot or flower pot, several plants are planted in one pot to produce a dense and colorful flower arrangement. To petunia well bush, you should pinch the plant at a height of 5 to 6 leaves. Experienced growers recommend to add mineral fertilizers with each watering, then cascade petunia grows especially lush.
Grades of cascade petunia
For cultivation in the temperate climatic zone, cascade petunia varieties are suitable: Silver, Typhoon, Tornado, Cherry, Ramblin, Fortunia, Issi Wave and Rose.
"Ramblin"
The variety differs uniformity in terms of flowering, unpretentiousness and a large number of colors. Can be used for growing in containers and in the garden. The height of the plant is 25 - 35 cm, and the length of the weeds is up to 1 meter.
Fortunia
A very beautiful hybrid of cascading petunias with abundant flowering and bright colors. It is often used as a ground cover plant when growing on flowerbeds and lawns.
"Typhoon"
This petunia has powerful stems reaching 1.5 meters long. One plant can grow to an area of 2m2. The variety is resistant to weather changes and blossoms almost to frost.
"Tornado"
The variety is similar to the cascade series "Typhoon". Also distinguished by its resistance to bad weather conditions and a considerable length of shoots. For the flower growers the plant is attractively large flowers, having 5 cm in diameter.
