Grandiflora's have the largest Petunia flowers. They are less tolerant of poor weather conditions, such as stress of heat, humidity and summer rains. Refer back to Petunia for a detailed culture description
Plant Type
All Plants, Annuals
Sunlight
Petunias do best in at least one half day of sunlight.
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
Prefer well drained but will tolerate average, never soggy.
Temperature
Acclimated plants are very tolerant of cooler to cold temperatures. In zone #5 they do best in the early spring to early summer (May-June), have a tendency to slow down in the hot drier months and than come on strong in the cool fall (mid-September-October). With a little protection I have had Petunia's in bloom on Turkey Day. Hardened Petunias can be plant in early May (zone #5)
Flowers
The flower forms a funnel shaped corolla tube that flares into a broad lip. The flower sits in a calyx consisting of five sepals. Size varies from 3 to 4 inches. Just about every color is found in thes plants.
Leaves
The leaves are alternate and covered with a viscid pubescence, making them sticky when pinched.
Maintenance
Container plants need to be pruned to keep the plants compact. Deadheading will promote longer bloom time in both bedded and container grown plants. Plants in the garden may need cutting back in the hotter times of the year. The larger flowers of this type need to continually deadheaded because when finished blooming they can create a mush gob on the plant.
Propagation
seeds, cuttings
Misc Facts
The first Petunia was discovered in Brazil, by a French commission in 1823. Petunia nyctaginiflora was white, night blooming and sweet scented. Most of the original plants were produced by crossing P. nyctaginiflora with P. viloacea and P. bicolor. By 1840 the Petunia was a fashionable plant. Most plants are listed today as Petunia x hybrid. Petunia is derived from the French word petun a Brazilian name for tobacco.