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T1653 - PETUNIA HYBRIDA, PETUNIA
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Annual
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun - partial shade
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| Garden Height: | |
30 cm
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11,81 inch
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| Flower Size: | |
100 cm
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39,37 inch
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 5-6 weeks; flowering pots (sow to flower): 11-13 weeks, hanging baskets (4 plants/basket): 13-15 weeks
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw and pelleted seed
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| Seed Count: | |
0 K/g
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| Sowing Method: | |
1-2 seeds/pills per plug
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| Germination: | |
Stage I: 3-5 days at 22-24 °C (72-75 °F); use well drained media with low soluble salt levels and pH 5.5-5.8. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat the substrate with fungicide. Water adequately after sowing to completely dissolve the pellet. Don' t cover seed. Keep soil very wet for optimal germination. Supplemental lighting (100-500 lx) during germination promotes a uniform germination and improves a compact plant habit.
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| Plug Culture: | |
Stage II: 20-24 °C (68-75 °F)
Stage III: 18-21 °C (64-70 °F)
Stage IV: 16-18 °C (61-64 °F)
From stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 75-100 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During stage III and stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.
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| Growing On: | |
5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant in packs or pots 9-10 cm (3,5-4'') or 4 plants in baskets.
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| Media: | |
Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1,5-3 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH 5.4-6.0.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Optional long day plant. After germination cultivate at short day conditions for a good branching and good vegetative growth. Afterwards cultivate at long day conditions for flower initiation. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light promotes the vegetative growth and the plant quality.
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| Temperature: | |
Grow at 14-16 °C (57-61 °F). For early selling the plants should be hardened at 10-12 °C (50-54 °F) slowly within 14 days. Temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F) will inhibit the growth and can lead to injuries on a long-term basis. Petunia does not tolerate frost.
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| Fertilization: | |
High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using alternating a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and a calcium nitrate fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (yellow leaf edges) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times weekly with low concentrations. This will promote a constant growth.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
High difference between day and night temperatures will increase the risk of infection with Powdery Mildew. Don't produce too close, in order to avoid the stretching of the shoots. Pinching the top once after transplanting promotes a compact plant habit and will increase the quantity of the flowers, but the cultivation time will increase by 1-2 weeks, too.
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* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
| Stage I: | Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons. |
| Stage II: | Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair. |
| Stage III: | Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable. |
| Stage IV: | All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days. |
Hint
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.
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