PETUNIA HYBRIDA, PETUNIA Sonja

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Solanaceae, Argentina, Brasilia

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:25 cm, 9,84 inch

Natural flowertime:May - October

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering Pots: 10-14 weeks, depending on species

Sell Period:May-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:10309 K/g

Sowing Time:February-March

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 3-5 days at 22-24 °C; Stage II and III: 25-30 days at 18-20 °C; Stage IV: 16-18 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat the substrate with fungicide. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Supplemental lighting (100-500 lx) during germination promotes a uniform germination and improves a compact plant habit.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 75-100 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1-3 plants into a pack or pot (9-10 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1,5-3 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3-6 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8.

Photoperiod/ Light:Optional long day plant. After germination cultivate at short day conditions for a good branching and good vegetative growth. Afterwards cultivate at long day conditions (16 h) for flower initiation. In winter and in early spring additional assimilation light promotes the vegetative growth and the plant quality.

Temperature:Grow at 14-16 °C. For early selling the plants should be hardened at 10-12 °C slowly within 14 days. Temperatures below 10 °C will inhibit the growth and can lead to injuries on a long-term basis. Petunia does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:High fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using alternating a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5) and a calcium nitrate fertilizer. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (yellow leaf edges) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times weekly with low concentrations. This will promote a constant growth.

Cultural Hints:High difference between day and night temperatures will increase the risk of infection with Powdery Mildew. Don't produce too close, in order to avoid the stretching of the shoots. Pinching the top once after transplanting promotes a compact plant habit and will increase the quantity of the flowers, but the cultivation time will increase by 1-2 weeks, too.