annual > PETUNIA > OVERWINTERING
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PETUNIA GUIDES
Container GrowingDeadheadingHanging BasketsLegginessOverwinteringPruningSowingSurfinia
With their bright blooms , subtly pay for fragrance and long - lasting flowering time of year , petunias are a favourite in gardens across the country .
Unfortunately , they ’re super sore to the coldness , which entail they ’ll drop dead back at the first sign of frost .
It is entirely potential to overwinter petunias , which may be an attractive selection if you have splosh out on a more expensive hybrid or have a peculiarly fetching smorgasbord you do n’t desire to part with .
If that vocalise familiar , just perform these actions :
That might seem like a long and puzzling exercise set of instructions for those unfamiliar with petunia care , but in actuality , winter petunias is not too cunning at all .
I ’ve outlined each stage in more detail to help as much as possible below .
1) Take Cuttings To Multiply Your Chances
Although overwintering petunias is n’t rocket science , the best - laid plans often go skew-whiff .
For that intellect , it ’s a good idea to ensure against bad luck by taking cuttings when the plant life is in a healthy United States Department of State .
you could do so by nip off off several theme that are 15 cm or more in length and then stripping away the parting from the bottom half .
localize them into single planter fill with compost and educate them indoors as you would when develop petunia from seeded player .
“ Cuttings of Petunia ( and several other half - sturdy perennials ) are best taken as semi - advanced cuttings , ” express Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .
“ If taken as wintertime insurance policy , I ’d take the cuttings in late July or early August to allow pile of meter for root development before winter . Once rooted , I ’d put them into 6 - 9 cm individual pots ( depending on the size of the cuttings ) using a potting mix with add together grit to aid drainage when dormant . ”
2) Prune Back By A Third
Petunias will conk out as shortly as the first rime hits , so , before that go on , it ’s clock time to take activity .
Start by dress your plant back , remove all prime and cutting stems back by at least a third .
You should also block all fertilisation at this percentage point .
This will boost the petunias to prepare for the wintertime by storing vigour in their bulbs alternatively of promoting growth and blooms .
3) Dig Up Petunias In The Ground
Of course , if your petunia are pot , you’re able to safely ignore this stride , since they can simply be moved to a more hospitable location .
However , if they ’re planted in the garden , you ’ll need to dig them up .
Gently do so , take care not to damage or to a fault commove the root systems .
Wash or pass over forth excess dirt from the bulbs and separate them out .
4) Check For Pests
It ’s dead life-sustaining that you check for a pest infestation at this degree , since bringing them into your place could jeopardise the wellness of your other plants too .
Be mindful that plants may appear pest gratis , but could have enshroud eggs which will incubate .
attend out for webbing , droppings or eggs and take appropriate natural action if you fleck any .
5) Wait For Dormancy
It ’s now prison term to allow your plant hibernate for the winter calendar month .
To do so , identify it in a container large enough to fit the root ball , then fill it with fresh soil around it .
Ensure the pot has enough drain at the bottom .
lead it in a nerveless , dry location where temperatures wo n’t throw near freeze point such as an unwarmed conservatoire or greenhouse .
6) Monitor Over The Winter Months
For the most part , you could leave your dormant plant to its own devices .
However , it ’s a sound idea to revisit every 3 - 4 week to make certain it ’s still alive , specially in the depths of winter .
Do n’t be alert if it loses its leaf – this is innate .
baulk the enticement to water it , since saturated soil is deadly to the root musket ball .
If the top few centimetres have become completely ironical , you may give it a sip of water , but that ’s it .
7) Revive Your Petunias In Spring
Several calendar week before the last Robert Lee Frost , you could begin the process of coaxing your petunias back to living .
Start by moving them from their sleeping location to a slightly warmer spot indoors which enjoys modest sunshine .
you could also get to irrigate them more frequently .
Once the flora displays fresh outgrowth , you’re able to repot them and place them on a cheery windowsill .
After the final Robert Frost has passed and your flora are well and sincerely demonstrate , you could transplant them outdoors and care for them as you did the class prior .
