Petunia Petunia × atkinsiana Tidal Wave Series, mixed

Water

Wave Petunias should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. During hot weather, this might mean watering daily, especially for petunias in containers which dry out faster. Provide about one inch of water per week, adjusting as necessary during periods of rainfall or drought. The method of watering should be at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases; a soaker hose is ideal for this purpose. In containers, water thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes; this might equate to roughly half a gallon for a standard hanging basket every other day during peak summer temperatures but will vary with the size of the container and plant.

Light

Tidal Wave Petunias thrive in full sun, which means they need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. They perform best when planted in a spot that receives morning sunlight, which is less intense and helps dry dew on the leaves, reducing the chance of disease. However, they can also tolerate partial sun, which means they'll still grow with a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight, but blooming might be reduced.

Temperature

Petunias prefer warm conditions and do best in temperatures ranging between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a slight chill and survive brief periods in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost is detrimental to petunias. Conversely, temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit might stress the plants and cause blooming to taper off. The ideal growth temperature will keep the petunias healthy and blooming profusely.

Pruning

Pruning Wave Petunias is essential for preventing legginess and encouraging bushier growth with more blooms. Pinch back the tips of the stems every few weeks to promote branching. The best time to start pruning is when the plants are young, as this helps to establish a fuller habit from the outset. Regular deadheading of spent flowers will also encourage the plant to produce new blooms. Pruning is generally not needed in the fall as the plants will die back with the first frost.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Petunias thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A best soil mix for petunias, such as the Tidal Wave series, contains a balanced blend of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite, and compost or well-rotted manure to provide nutrients and improve aeration and moisture retention.

Repotting

Tidal Wave petunias typically don't need repotting as they are often grown as annuals. However, if they are kept in containers and brought indoors, repot them every spring to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.

Humidity & Misting

Petunias, including the Tidal Wave series, prefer moderate humidity levels. They do well in the typical range of outdoor humidity but can tolerate some dry air. Avoid overly humid conditions which can lead to fungal diseases.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, well-draining soil, and moderate water.

• Outdoor

  Place in full sun, well-draining soil, and deadhead regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  9-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of the Tidal Wave Petunia begins with seed germination, which occurs when the temperature is consistently warm, typically in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. As seedlings emerge and grow, they develop a root system and foliage through the vegetative stage. Flowering ensues as the plants mature, characterized by a profusion of vibrant, colorful blooms that can last from late spring until the first frost of fall. Throughout the flowering phase, the petunias continuously produce new blooms while old flowers fade and can be deadheaded to encourage further flowering. As temperatures drop in autumn, flowering diminishes, growth slows down, and the petunias eventually die back with the onset of frost if they are treated as annuals. However, in some climates, they can survive the winter and re-sprout in the following spring if conditions permit.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early Summer

• Petunia × atkinsiana Tidal Wave Series, commonly known as Tidal Wave Petunia, is typically propagated through seed since they are hybrid plants. The most popular method is sowing seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Using a seed-starting tray filled with a well-draining soil mix, seeds are scattered on the soil surface and gently pressed into the soil, as petunia seeds need light to germinate. The tray should then be covered with a plastic dome or wrap to maintain humidity. It's crucial to place the tray in a bright spot with temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius) and to keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, usually within 7 to 14 days. After germination, it's important to remove the cover and continue providing abundant light to the seedlings until they are strong enough to be transplanted outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.