Petunia Petunia Conchita Evening Glow = 'Conglow' (PBR) (Conchita Series)
ABOUT
The Petunia Conchita Evening Glow 'Conglow' is a striking flowering plant with a vibrant display. Its blooms exhibit a rich blend of colors, typically featuring a gradient from deep purples to warm oranges, which creates a dazzling effect reminiscent of a tropical sunset. The petals have a velvety texture and are funnel-shaped, a characteristic trait of petunias. These flowers come together in a lush cascade, providing generous coverage. The foliage of this plant is equally impressive with its dark green leaves, which form a dense and bushy backdrop to the vivid flowers. The leaves are smooth, with a slightly pointed oval shape. Due to the plant's prolific blooming habit, the flowers often blanket the foliage, creating an abundant floral display. Overall, the Petunia Conchita Evening Glow 'Conglow' is a visually striking plant with a kaleidoscope of warm colors that can add aesthetic appeal to any garden display or hanging basket. Its consistent blooming throughout its growing season provides a long-lasting and dynamic horticultural showpiece.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Solanaceae.
Synonyms
Petunia Conchita Evening Glow, Conchita Evening Glow, Evening Glow Petunia, Conglow Petunia.
Common names
Petunia Conchita Evening Glow 'Conglow' (PBR) (Conchita Series).
- Toxicity
To humans
Petunias, including the Petunia Conchita Evening Glow, are not considered toxic to humans. Accidental ingestion of petunias typically does not lead to poisoning, and no specific symptoms are associated with such an incident. While they are not harmful, petunias are not intended for consumption and eating them is not advised due to the potential for digestive discomfort.
To pets
Petunias, including the Petunia Conchita Evening Glow, are generally regarded as non-toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. If a pet ingests parts of a petunia plant, it is unlikely to experience poisoning. While these plants are not poisonous, they are not meant for animal consumption and ingesting large quantities may result in mild gastrointestinal upset as a non-specific response to eating non-food plant material.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
10 inches (25 cm)
Spread
12 inches (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Easy to grow - Petunia Conchita Evening Glow is known for being hassle-free and easy to maintain, making it ideal for beginner gardeners.
- Vibrant colors - This plant offers stunning deep colors that enhance the visual appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Long flowering period - It has a prolonged blooming period that lasts from spring to the first frost, providing continuous beauty.
- Attracts pollinators - The bright flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity in your garden.
- Perfect for containers - Due to its compact size, it is well-suited for container planting, allowing for versatility in garden design and placement.
- Drought-tolerant - Once established, it is somewhat drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering than some other plants.
- Low maintenance - This petunia requires minimal pruning and deadheading, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Educational Tool: Petunias, with their variety of colors, can be used in schools or educational programs to teach children about plant biology, hybridization, and genetics.
- Photography Subject: The vibrant flowers make them an excellent subject for photographers practicing close-up flower photography or seeking colorful subjects for portfolio building.
- Art Inspiration: The rich hues and gradation of the Evening Glow Petunia can inspire artists for paintings, illustrations, or textile designs.
- Natural Dyes: Petunia blossoms might be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or papers, though experimentation with mordants would be required to determine colorfastness.
- Theme Gardens: They can be featured in moon gardens, where white and light-colored plants are chosen to glow under the moonlight, offering a unique night-time garden experience.
- Living Mulch: When planted densely, petunias can act as a living mulch, providing ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Aromatherapy Gardens: Some petunias have a subtle scent and can add to the aromatherapy experience when included in gardens designed for relaxation.
- Color Therapy: Petunias are often used in color therapy gardens where the focus is on creating spaces that can influence mood and emotional well-being through color.
- Holiday Decorations: Petunias can be incorporated into live floral arrangements for holidays and festive occasions, adding natural beauty to the decor.
- Children's Crafts: The flowers can be used in simple craft projects, such as pressing for bookmarks or creating flower fairies, engaging children with nature.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Petunia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Petunia is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Resentment and Anger: Traditionally, petunias have been associated with feelings of resentment and anger. If given to someone else, they might symbolize the sender's frustration or dissatisfaction towards the recipient.
- Desire for Comfort: Petunias could also represent a longing for the soothing presence of another, a desire to be with someone who brings comfort and peace.
- Companionship: As friendly and approachable flowers, petunias often symbolize the presence of a companion or the joy of spending time with loved ones.
- Pleasure: The presence of petunias in gardens and floral arrangements can suggest a simple pleasure in life, or that one should enjoy the beauty in the moment.
- Wish for Peacefulness: Sometimes petunias communicate a wish for tranquility and calm, either within oneself or in one's relationships or environment.
- Water
Petunias, including the Petunia Conchita Evening Glow, prefer consistent moisture. Water them thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which is typically about once a week. However, during hot or windy conditions, they may need water more frequently, perhaps every few days. When watering, it is best to avoid wetting the foliage and instead water at the base of the plant to help prevent disease. A good rule of thumb is to provide about one gallon of water per square yard of soil each week, adjusting as necessary for weather conditions.
- Light
Petunias thrive in full sunlight, which means they require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for Petunia Conchita Evening Glow would be in an area that is exposed to ample sunlight but also has some protection from the intense afternoon heat, which could stress the plant.
- Temperature
Petunias prefer a temperature range of about 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. They can tolerate temperatures down to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can be harmful. The petunia will struggle in temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so during extreme heat, they may require additional care to thrive.
- Pruning
Pruning petunias encourages bushier growth and more blooms. For Petunia Conchita Evening Glow, remove spent flowers and pinch back stems every few weeks to promote a compact plant with abundant flowers. The best time for pruning is in the late afternoon or evening when the plant is not in full sun.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Petunias thrive best in a well-draining soil mix that can retain some moisture without becoming waterlogged. A good recipe includes a blend of peat moss, compost, and perlite or vermiculite at a ratio of 2:1:1. These plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with an optimal pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Repotting
Petunias typically don't require frequent repotting as they are annuals. However, if you start with a small plant or grow from seed, you may need to repot once during the growing season if it outgrows its container.
- Humidity & Misting
Petunias are adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels but they perform best when the humidity is moderate. There is no need for high humidity; average room humidity or outdoor ambient humidity is generally sufficient for these plants.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place petunias in a bright spot with ample light.
Outdoor
Full sun, shelter from winds, and well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA.
- Life cycle
The Petunia 'Conglow' begins its life as a seed, which after sowing, will germinate given the right conditions of warmth and moisture, usually within 5 to 15 days. Once the seedling emerges and grows its first set of true leaves, the young plant goes through a vegetative stage, where it channels energy into producing more leaves and stems. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, characterized by the development of vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that this series is known for. The flowering period occurs during the warmer months, and with proper care, flowers will continue to bloom throughout the summer until the first frost. After pollination, the plant will produce seeds, completing its reproductive cycle. If the conditions become unfavorable or in the onset of winter, the petunia will reach the end of its lifecycle and die, although it can last more than one season in warmer climates if protected from frost.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Petunia Conchita Evening Glow, commonly known as Petunia, is typically propagated through seed due to the nature of its plant breeders' rights (PBR). The most popular method involves sowing seeds indoors, about 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Start by filling a seed tray or pots with a well-draining seed starting mix. Sow the Petunia seeds on the surface and lightly press them into the mix without covering them, as they need light to germinate. Maintain consistent moisture, and ensure the seeds are kept at a warm temperature, ideally between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 to 24 degrees Celsius). Germination usually occurs in 7 to 14 days. Once seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or planted directly into the garden after hardening off and when the danger of frost has passed.