Grateful Deadheaded Petunia

                                                             The Most Fragrant Variety

By Mary Anne Simpson

Petunias are very grateful when gardeners deadhead the faded blooms. The practice of deadheading a petunia means to remove the dead bloom and the area below the bloom. Deadheading encourages growth, more blooms and discourages the petunia from going to seed. Potted grand floras petunia thrive on deadheading. The spreading petunia and multifloras petunia enjoy deadheading.

The grand floras petunia is generally used for hanging basket and this variety is three to four inches across. The multifloras petunia variety is smaller and generally used as border plants or as a splash of color in the garden. The spreading petunia is small and may be used as ground cover. All three varieties are hardy and require very little care once the plants reach maturity.

Pinching the petunia encourages blooming and healthy plants. Pinching means to trim back the petunia plant when it reaches around six-inches. According to the University of Minnesota's Department of Horticulture, do not pinch back multifloras and spreading petunias. Pinching only applies to the grand floras petunia.

Petunia Tips 

Over the years I have become a fan of the grand floras petunia for hanging baskets. The solid deep purple variety has a gentle sweet fragrance and works great hanging outdoors near the front door. The other colors and varieties do not in my opinion have the exquisite fragrance. The other great aspect of the petunia is its resilience. If a heat wave hits or you forget to water it for a few days the petunia forgives you.

All petunias need a liquid fertilizer during late July and August in three week intervals. I generally use a Miracle-Gro or the generic variety Wal-Mart sells. Only fertilize early in the morning or in the cool evening hours. Water the plant thoroughly before fertilizing. I fill a one-gallon milk jug with water and add one-teaspoon of Miracle-Gro. The reason for these instructions is to prevent burning the leaves and over fertilizing will kill the petunia.

Petunias are for gardeners who enjoy flowers, but do not want to spend a great deal of time fussing over them. Petunias are not orchids. Orchids are for people with time and money. Petunias are for people with little time, no money to spare on flowering plants that die for want of obsessive care.