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Thinking about planting petunias?
They’re beautiful, but watch out!
Many people make the same mistakes with petunias. In this article, we’ll talk about the 4 most common ones.
Avoid these and your plants will thrive.
Ready to learn more? Let’s go!
Overwatering
Petunias are pretty low-maintenance, but they don’t love getting their feet wet. Too much water can lead to root rot and mushy leaves.
Make sure the soil drains well and try to water early in the day so the plants have time to dry out before nightfall. Good rule of thumb: if the top inch of soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
No need to drown the poor things!
Ignoring Pests
Those vibrant petunia blooms can attract pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. Don’t just let them have a buffet.
Check your plants regularly and take action if you see signs of an infestation. You can use natural remedies like neem oil or, for a quick fix, just pluck the critters off by hand.
Trust us, your petunias will thank you.
Insufficient Sunlight
Petunias are sun-lovers, big time. They need a good 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.
If your petunias are looking leggy or not blooming as much as they should, they might be craving more rays. Try moving them to a sunnier spot or trim back anything shading them out.
They’ll perk up in no time.
Lack of Deadheading
Deadheading sounds grim, but it’s actually a good thing! It simply means removing spent blooms to encourage new growth.
If you skip this step, your petunias might stop blooming prematurely. Just pinch off the old flowers with your fingers or a pair of garden scissors.
Do this regularly, and you’ll have gorgeous blooms all season long.