Wave Petunia
Scientific Name
I. Botany/History
- Family: Solanaceae
- Growth Habit: vigorous growers, they tend to stay short and spread along the ground.
- Origin:
- Development:
- Key people:
II. Uses
- Pots
- Mixed Containers
- Hanging Baskets
- Bedding plants
III. Propagation
- Sexual: From seed, directly sown outdoors in the fall.
- Asexual: softwood cutting.
IV. Growing/Flowering
- Light - (photosynthesis, photoperiodic responses): Wave Petunias are a full sun crop and should receive at least six hours of full sun a day if you want maximum flower production.
As you can probably tell wave Petunias are a long day plant. You should begin long day or night interuption techniques at about a 5 leaf count. Stop once plant reaches a minimum of 12 leaves or proper natural daylength occurs.
- Temperature (recommended/necessary for different growth stages or growth regulation) - grow at a warm temperature (around 75 degrees F) until the plant's leaves reach the edge of the pot. Then move to a cold house(about 65 degrees F) to harden off.
- Water - Wave Petunias are a very aggresive growing plant. They are constantly demanding water and nutrients, keep very moist especially in warm conditions. May need watered twice a day in hot conditions.
- Nutrition - A 20-10-20 fertilizer at 300ppm is recommended every other irrigation.
- Media/Potting/Planting - use a soiless, well drained media with a slightly acid pH (between 5.5 - 6.3).
- Atmosphere
- Growth Regulation (chemical, environmental, etc.) - Use the growth regulator, Bonzai, at a rate of 5ppm one time via a drench. The best time to apply this growth regulator is once the plant reaches a stage where its leaves are hitting the edge of the pot. Some growers may apply a stronger dose of Bonzi (15-30ppm) a week later if additional control is needed.
V. Special Considerations - (special timing or growing techniques, idiosyncraces, etc.)
- The Rose, Blue, Misty Lilac, and Lavender colors of Wave Petunias flower one week earlier than the Purple and Pink varities.
- The "Wave Rose" and "Wave Misty Lilac" varities of wave petunias are less aggressive growers than the "Wave Purple" and "Wave Pink" varities. Therefore they require a lower rate of growth regulators and should often be given at least one extra week from seed to transplant.
VI Disorders
- Insect
- Disease
- Physiological
VII. Marketing and Grading
- Areas of production in U.S.
- Specific dates or holidays if applicable
VIII. Postharvest Handling
IX. Cultivars
X. References