Why Choose a Petunia for Your Home?

• Vibrant Blooms: Colorful flowers that brighten up your home or garden.
• Easy to Grow: Beginner-friendly and thrives in sunny spots.
• Attracts Pollinators: Draws bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
• Versatile: Great for hanging baskets, pots, or garden beds.
• Long-Lasting: Blooms continuously with proper care.

How to Grow Petunia

Step-by-Step Process (Recommended for Home Gardeners):

• Select the Right Spot: Choose a sunny spot with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Ensure good air circulation to prevent diseases.
• Soil Preparation: Use well-drained, fertile soil. A potting mix with coco peat, perlite, compost and pine bark works best.
• Seed or Seedling Sowing: Sow Petunia seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or transplant young plants 12-18 inches apart.
• Watering: Water every 2-3 days but ensure soil drains well. Use diluted rice water once a week for extra nutrients.
• Fertilization: Feed with balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., NPK 19:19:19) every 2-3 weeks or use compost tea for organic growth.

Common Problems, Pests & Diseases

Urban Farmer’s Solutions for a Healthy plant:

1. Yellowing Leaves: This is often due to overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure the soil drains well and doesn’t hold excess water. Spray seaweed extract 2ml/20 drops per liter water.
2. Spider Mites: These pests can appear during dry conditions. They cause tiny speckles and webbing. Spider mites suck the cell sap from the leaves and make the plant weak. Spray neem oil 2 ml/20 drops or Mix 1 protec tab in 1 liter of water once a week for effective control.
3. Leaf Spot Disease: This can occur if the leaves are consistently wet. Ensure proper air circulation and avoid overwatering. Symptoms include small, dark spots with yellow halos on the leaves. Spray organic fungicide Tricho Shield 5 gm/half spoon or one protec tab per liter of water. Repeat the spray 7 days after the first spray for the best results.

Best Practices for Growing Petunia

Urban Farmer’s Expert Tips for Petunia:

• Sunlight: Ensure 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for healthy growth and blooms.
• Deadheading: Regularly remove faded flowers to encourage more blooms and save the plant's energy.
• Proper Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart for good air circulation and healthy growth.
• Pruning: Trim overgrown stems and remove dead leaves to promote bushy growth and more flowers.

Recommended Products for Petunia

Urban Farmer’s Trusted Products for Petunia Care:

1. Fertilizers:
   • Balanced Fertilizer: Add one grow TAB in a liter of water and spray on foliage every 15 to 20 days. It helps in boosting overall growth and improving leaf color.
   • Slow-Release Fertilizer: Insert one green fertilizer stick fully into the soil, 2-3 inches away from the plant stem. Repeat it after 60 days. A single application of one stick provides your plants with a steady supply of nutrients for up to 2 months.
2. Pesticides:
   • Neem Oil: Spray IFC Neem at 2 ml per liter water to acts as a natural pesticide to control spider mites and other pests.
   • Organic Insecticidal: Add one Protec tab to a liter of water and spray on the foliage to help manage pests like mealybugs and aphids.
3. Growth Promoters:
   • Silicon-Based Growth Stimulators: Spray Tabsil at 1 tablet per 5 liters of water to improve plant resilience to diseases and enhance overall growth.
   • Seaweed Extract: Spray Scuba seaweed extract 2 ml or 20 drops per liter water for spray. It is a natural growth promoter that helps improve development and overall vigor. Use it as a foliar spray or mix it with water for soil application once a month.

By following these detailed guidelines and incorporating the trusted products recommended by Urban Farmer, you can cultivate healthy and vibrant Petunia in your home or terrace garden.