Petunias and Million Bells have been reigning on our balconies and terraces for over a dozen years. They have gained our sympathy mainly due to the great variety. We can easily find varieties with delicate or bright colors that match the arrangement of a balcony or terrace.We can also choose forms with two-color flowers, decorated with a drawing or pattern, enabling the creation of various compositions in balcony boxes, pots and amplas.
Two-color varieties are especially attractive. We will achieve beautiful effects by combining red and white petunia, e.g.'Peppy Red', with white-flowered verbena or short white gypsophila. The variety with dark striped flowers will create an attractive group with plants with ornamental dark leaves, such as the red potato wolf 'Purple' or the dark red ornamental grass 'Rubrum'. However, Million Bells and petunias also look charming without the support of other species.
Among petunia plants there are large-flowered varieties with straight stems, forms with smaller flowers and strongly growing petunias hanging down the shoots (surfinie).Large-flowered varieties are most sensitive to wind and rain.That is why these petunias feel best, bloom long and beautifully in sheltered places. For exposed sites, exposed to weather conditions, choose less sensitive petunias with modest flowers that are not harmful to rain.
Seeds of beautiful petunia
Million Bells (Calibrachoa) varieties are very similar to petunias and are therefore sometimes called minipetunias.They are not, however, closely related.Calibrachoa were discovered in Brazil and have rapidly taken the lead among annuals since their appearance on the flower market in 1997. Their first series were the Million Bells varieties. Calibrachoa and petunias have similar requirements.
They are easy to care for but need good nutrition. It is worth adding a small dose of liquid fertilizer to each watering. Plants are sensitive to iron deficiency. If the leaves turn yellow, use an iron fertilizer.The symptoms of the disease will begin to disappear within a week. There is a slight difference in the tastes of both groups.Million Bells varieties like strong and long sun exposure. On the other hand, petunias can also bloom beautifully in partial shade.
New varieties of petunias
Flower fashion is as changeable as other fashions. Two-color petunias are becoming more and more popular now. Flowers from the Peppa series, incl.'Peppy Red', 'Peppy Cerise', 'Peppy Blue', 'Peppy Lavender' have a clear star pattern on the inner surface of the cup.Flowers of some varieties from other petunia groups are similarly decorated.
New petunias with compact habit are perfect for flowerpots and balcony boxes. Varieties from the Potunia series, e.g. 'Blackberry Ice', 'Dark Red', 'Deep Purple', 'Neon', 'Popcorn', have slightly hanging shoots. They can be planted from mid-April. Plants from the Potunia Piccola group, incl. 'Hot Pink', 'White', 'Blue Ice', 'Lilac Blue' have smaller flowers and a compact, rounded shape. Double petunias, e.g. 'Blue Vein', 'Purple Vein' and 'Soft Pink', develop full and fragrant flowers.
We stock flower boxes
Luxuriously flowery balcony containers can bring joy throughout the season. For this to be possible, plants should be planted in accordance with proven rules.
1. Four plants will fit in a 80 cm long flower box. They should be he althy and well grown, with the first flowers already fully developed.Pink-flowered nemesia, petunia 'Sweetunia White Merlot', white-flowered verbena and dark red bed geraniums will grow in our container.
2. To prevent the soil from blocking the drain holes, which may result in excessive moisture, cover the bottom of the box with a non-woven fabric strip.
3. Pour the soil about halfway up the walls.
4. We dip the pots with plants in water. The root ball must be fully soaked up with moisture.
5. We take the plants out of the containers and place them in the balcony box.The top surface of the root ball should be approximately 2 cm below the edge of the box.
6. We add the missing soil and at the same time supply the plants with a portion of fertilizer.
7. Water the substrate thoroughly and, if necessary, refill the soil again.
Remember that from the day of planting, our beauties require regular watering and weekly supplementation with fertilizer for balcony plants.
