Petunia - a beautiful flower, striking a variety of varieties. It is not always possible to find ready-made seedlings of the desired type, so in this article we decided to tell about all the secrets of growing seedlings: the plan, what favorable conditions to create for her, how to care for grown seedlings.
When is it better to sow?
From the choice of dates of sowing of seeds depends on germination and the further result of cultivation. 
Timing
It is recommended to sow the seeds averaged in the second half of March. However, some factors may affect the timing in one direction or another:
- if there is good natural light (windows face south), sowing of seeds can be moved to the beginning of March;
- if it is possible to organize additional lighting, petunia can be sown by the end of February;
- Seed sowing will have to be moved to the end of March and the beginning of April, if the windows face the north side.
Learn about the varieties and intricacies of growing petunia cascade and super cascade.
What does the lunar calendar say
Very often, gardeners and gardeners when choosing the time for sowing seeds are guided by the phases of the moon. Below we give the recommendations of the lunar calendar of planting petunias for 2018. Favorable will be the following dates:
- February 2018 - 17, 18, 21, 22, 25-28;
- March 2018 - 21-29;
- April - 17-24.
Features of growing
After the planting time has been chosen, one should dwell on the selection of seeds and the creation of the necessary conditions for their successful shoot. 
Seed selection
Sowing petunias on seedlings begins with a selection of seeds. Today there are two types of seeds to choose from:
- Ordinary - collected from plants. In petunias, they are very small, resemble poppy seeds in size.
- Dramatized, that is, placed in a special water-soluble shell.
It is difficult to work with the first type due to their size, there are difficulties with distribution by soil. After germination of the seed can not avoid thinning. In this regard, the coated seeds are very convenient, but they will need more abundant watering, since moisture is needed to dissolve the shell.
Did you know? Petunia, surfinia and petunia terry breed only by cuttings, since these varieties do not produce seeds.
Conditions for the growth of petunia seedlings
For seedlings of petunia, a loose soil with a neutral or slightly acidic environment is suitable. Suitable soil can be purchased at the store or prepared by yourself using:
- sand;
- humus;
- leafy or soddy land;
- peat;
- coconut substrate.
If possible, highlight additional light sources. Also, for successful seed germination, it is necessary to ensure a constant temperature of about 24-25ºС. After shoot, gradually lower to 20ºС.Get acquainted with the main diseases and pests of petunia.
Planting seedlings
You can grow seedlings in three ways: in containers, in tablets or in cassettes.
In containers
The traditional is the cultivation of seedlings in containers. To do this, use pots or bowls, usually plastic. At the bottom of the container it is necessary to lay the drainage layer, then pour the prepared soil. 
In order to get rid of possible pests, water is watered with boiling water before sowing seeds.
Important! Seeds laid out on the surface and do not sprinkle with soil.With this method, the picking after the germination of seedlings is mandatory, since the seedlings of petunia have a rather extensive root system and further cultivation in one common container will not bring the desired results.
In pills
If you purchased the coated seeds, sow them better and more conveniently in peat tablets. To do this, the tablet must first be soaked in water, then drain the excess liquid and put them in the tray. 
Spread each seed, then pour water from a syringe or pipette. Cover the common container with film, glass or other transparent material and place in a warm place.
In peat tablets, it is also possible to grow seedlings obriyeta, clariki, pandanus, buttercup, derbennik, caliberraa.This method favorably affects the germination, does not require subsequent picks. In addition, the color of the tablets can determine when watering is required.
In cassettes
Cassettes are convenient for their compactness, as well as the fact that you can find a different number and size of cassette cells for sale.
For petunia, choose large cells with a height of about 10 cm. You can sow seeds in cassettes either in soil mixture or in tablets placed in cells. 
Proper care
The quality of seedlings depends on the further care after sowing the seeds. Consider the basic rules.
Watering
It is necessary to approach watering seedlings very responsibly. After all, the drying of the soil adversely affects the seedlings, and excessive moisture can lead to rotting and development of the fungus.
For irrigation using the drip method with a syringe or pipette. It is important to ensure that water does not fall on the leaves and stem. 
Lower watering will be more convenient and less labor-consuming - water is poured into the pan and containers with seedlings are installed in it.
Important! In cloudy weather, seedlings are watered in the morning, and in sunny in the evening.For irrigation use separated water, it is desirable that its temperature at 1-2ºС was higher than the ambient temperature.
Top dressing
One of the features of petunia is its high need for feeding. The first two weeks the emerged shoots are sprayed with a weak solution of "Previkur" or potassium permanganate. 
After the appearance of 3-4 true leaves, seedlings are fed with yellow "Crystalone", and later you can use "Athlete".
It is desirable to fertilize not only the roots, but also the leaves. "Uniflor micro" or green "Crystal" will be suitable for such feeding.
Two weeks after the dive, the seedlings are sprayed with a root formation stimulator. Be sure to loosen the soil to ensure air access to the roots.
Dive
Diving is carried out only if the seeds were planted in a common container. When the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, it is necessary to plant them in separate containers. 
A dive is conveniently carried out with a wooden stick, the seedling with a clod of earth is transferred into a new container and the necessary amount of soil is filled. The stem is deepened to the cotyledon leaves.
In order for the seedlings not to stretch, in the first days after the dive, the ambient temperature is lowered by 3-4 ° C and the seedlings are shaded.
Hardening
After the picking, you can begin gradually hardening the seedlings of petunias, acting on it with lower temperatures (about 10-15ºС). 
You need to start with 10-15 minutes, gradually increasing the time, thus, the seedlings adapt to the future habitat. This can be done by carrying out seedlings on the balcony or by opening the window for ventilation.
Topping
To get a beautiful, well-shaped bush, petunia seedlings are made to pinch. This process consists in breaking off the top of the shoot over a 4-5 leaf. 
After this procedure, a new shoot sprouts from the base of each leaf. Pinching repeat after a couple of weeks.
Important! The ammune varieties of petunia do not need pinching: breaking of the shoots has little effect on the growth of new ones.
Planting flowers to a permanent place
Transplantation of seedlings in open ground is carried out from mid-May to mid-June. Before moving the seedlings to a permanent place of residence, it must be accustomed to being around the clock in natural conditions: without additional lighting, heating, greenhouse. For landing it is better to choose the evening or cloudy weather. Seedlings should be well watered and removed from the containers along with the earthy clod.
It will be useful for you to learn all the secrets of petunia fertilizer.Petunia can grow both in front gardens and in balcony boxes. To bloom lasted until the frosts themselves, you need to transplant flowering bushes.
Difficulties in growing petunia seedlings
Subject to the above recommendations, no difficulties should arise. However, seedlings can infect some pests and diseases.
The main enemies of seedlings:
- Spider mite - appears due to increased dryness of the soil. Acaricides ("Neoron", "Fitoverm", "Aktellik") are used as a struggle.
- Blackleg - fungal disease, develops due to excessive watering. It is expressed in the darkening of the base of the stem, then this place rots. The affected seedlings are removed, the soil is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or "Formalin".
- Chlorosis - develops due to lack of iron, which occurs due to excessive irrigation (in the soil formed an environment of high alkalinity). To remedy the situation make iron-containing drugs.
Did you know? Petunia was brought to Europe from Uruguay in 1793. Its name is translated into Russian as "tobacco".It is believed that the main key to successful cultivation of seedlings is the choice of planting time.
The information provided here about when to plant petunia on seedlings on the lunar calendar will provide you with strong and healthy seedlings for your flower garden.
