How to Care for Newly Purchased Petunias
As a popular variety for blooming on balconies, petunias are deeply loved by gardening enthusiasts for their vibrant colors and extremely long blooming period. New petunia seedlings require scientific care to quickly adapt to the environment. This article will provide a detailed analysis of care essentials, from environmental adaptation to daily management.
Section I: Management During Petunia's Environmental Adaptation Period
1.1 Techniques for Diagnosing Plant Status
Upon receiving the plants, immediately check the development of the root system: seedlings should retain 2-3 true leaves, and mature seedlings should remove yellow leaves and dead branches. Determine by gently squeezing the seedling cup; if the soil ball is intact and not loose, the roots have developed well.
1.2 Scientific Handling During the Acclimatization Period
It is recommended to acclimatize the seedlings in a shaded area at 18-22°C for 3-5 days, maintaining 60% air humidity. Using a transparent plastic bag over the pot can create a mini greenhouse, with 2 hours of ventilation each day to prevent mold.
Section II: Systematic Care Plan for Petunias
2.1 Substrate Ratio and Repotting
Use a golden ratio of peat soil: perlite: decomposed leaf soil = 5:3:2, with a 2cm layer of fermented sheep manure as a base fertilizer at the bottom. When repotting, retain 1/3 of the original soil to protect the roots, and choose a breathable ceramic pot.
2.2 Light, Water, Temperature, and Fertilizer Control
Maintain 6 hours of scattered light per day during the growing period, and use a shading net to regulate strong sunlight in summer. Water using the immersion method, combined with the finger soil test method (water when the second knuckle is dry). Supplement with "Flower More 2" water-soluble fertilizer once a week, keeping the EC value between 1.2-1.5mS/cm.
Section III: Advanced Cultivation Strategies for Petunias
3.1 Techniques for Shaping the Plant Structure
Perform 3 pinching operations during the seedling stage: retain 3 nodes at the 5-leaf stage, 5 nodes after the second pruning, and combine with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to promote branching. Remove the remaining flowers after blooming, retaining 1/3 of the flower stem to avoid infection.
3.2 Disease Prevention System
Alternately use mancozeb and carbendazim every month to prevent leaf spot disease, and use imidacloprid 2000 times solution to control aphids during outbreaks. Maintain a plant spacing of over 30cm to enhance ventilation and reduce the risk of diseases.
Through scientific acclimatization and a systematic care plan, newly purchased petunias can adapt to the environment within 3 weeks. Mastering the precise control of light, water, temperature, and fertilizer, combined with regular pruning, can keep the plants blooming for 6-8 months, creating a blooming landscape.