Content
- How sensitive are petunias to frost?
- Do not plant young plants in the field too early
- Petunias overwinter
- Remove flowers in winter quarters
- Tips
Petunias do not tolerate frost
How sensitive are petunias to frost?
The lush and long-blooming petunias are native to South America, which is why they prefer sunny locations. Without protection, these plants are not hardy in this country, but sometimes they can be overwintered.
Do not plant young plants in the field too early
Since most varieties of petunia do not survive even short periods of frost, no seedlings purchased from the market or pre-grown on the window sill should be planted in the open air before the icy saints and the last night frosts. In addition, petunias that have been brought forward in the house should first be accustomed to the direct sunlight by the hour, before they are planted in their sunny spot as possible.
Petunias overwinter
Due to the extreme sensitivity to frost, wintering outdoors in the petunias is not possible even in the mild winegrowing climate. Since petunia are comparatively cheap and can be easily pulled from seed, the hibernation is comparatively disproportionate. However, you can winter the plants under the following conditions, for example if you want to start the balcony season with particularly strong hanging petunias:
Remove flowers in winter quarters
Should flower buds form on the shortened branches of the petunia during winter, you should remove them as regularly as possible. This protects the energy balance of the plants and increases the chances of successful wintering.
Tips
If the frost-sensitive petunias are to be wintered in a cool and bright room, then not only must attention be paid to the correct conditions in terms of water quantity, brightness and temperature. You should also check the plants for possible signs of illness or infestation with pests such as aphids with the wintering in the autumn, which takes place in good time before the first night frost. These must be removed immediately or fought, so that it does not come to the winter over the winter to an infestation of the entire plants.