Petunia Petunia Pinstripe = 'Balpepin' (PBR)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Petunia Pinstripe 'Balpepin' is noted for its striking floral appearance. The blooms that adorn this plant are distinctive, with their base color often being a deep, rich purple. Overlaying this are intricate pinstripes that are a lighter, creamy color, creating a contrast that is both eye-catching and elegant. The stripes run from the center of the flower out towards the edges of the petals in a radial pattern, giving the petals a star-like quality. The flowers themselves are trumpet-shaped, which is characteristic of many petunias, fanning out at the mouth to present the beautiful pinstripe pattern. Each petal is softly rounded, contributing to the full, lush look of the flowerheads. Together, the petals form a rounded, funnel-like shape which is both striking and aesthetically pleasing. This variety of petunia has a bushy, mounding habit, with the foliage consisting of oval-shaped leaves that have a slightly fuzzy texture. The leaves are a medium to dark green, creating a pleasing backdrop that makes the vibrant colors of the blossoms stand out even more. The overall appearance of Petunia Pinstripe 'Balpepin' is that of a vibrant, expressionistic plant, with its dramatic, striped flowers taking center stage and creating a showy display that can add personality and flair to any garden setting or container.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae.
- Synonyms
  Pinstripe Petunia, Phantom Petunia.
- Common names
  Petunia Pinstripe 'Balpepin' (PBR).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Petunias, including the Petunia Pinstripe variety, are generally not considered toxic to humans. They do not contain any known toxic substances that would pose a risk if accidentally ingested in small amounts. There should be no significant symptoms of poisoning in humans from consuming parts of the petunia plant. However, it is always prudent not to consume any parts of ornamental plants due to potential pesticide exposure or individual allergic reactions.
- To pets
  Petunias, including the Petunia Pinstripe variety, are generally not considered toxic to pets. They are not known to contain substances that are harmful to animals like cats and dogs. Therefore, if pets ingest parts of a petunia plant, they are unlikely to experience any significant symptoms of poisoning. However, ingestion of non-food items can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal upset in pets, so it is still a good practice to prevent pets from consuming plants not intended for their diet.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive blooms: The Petunia Pinstripe features striking flowers with distinctive patterns, enhancing garden aesthetics.
- Versatile gardening use: Suitable for containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Long blooming period: It offers a long flowering season, providing continuous color from spring to fall.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care, making it ideal for casual gardeners or those with limited time.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it withstands periods of low water, making it suitable for xeriscaping or arid climates.
- Rapid growth: It quickly fills in spaces, creating lush garden areas or planters in a short amount of time.
- Pest resistance: Shows a natural resistance to many common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Attracts pollinators: Draws butterflies and hummingbirds, promoting pollination and benefiting the garden ecosystem.
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
- Photography prop: Petunias can be utilized as vibrant subjects or as natural backgrounds in close-up and macro photography, adding color and interest to the composition.
- Educational tool: Petunias can serve as an excellent model for teaching botany and genetics, given their variety of colors and patterns that result from simple genetic mutations.
- Art supplies: The brightly-colored petals of petunias can be pressed and used in the creation of botanical art, such as handmade paper or bookmarks.
- Aromatherapy: While not directly used for their scent, the subtle fragrance of petunias can contribute to a calming atmosphere in a garden or patio setting, enhancing relaxation.
- Crafting: Petunias can be used in live floral crafts, including living wreaths or as part of a floral tapestry, often for temporary decorative purposes.
- Special events: They can add a personalized touch to special occasions such as weddings or parties when used in table centerpieces or as part of the venue’s floral arrangements.
- Edible decoration: Although not a common food source, petunia flowers are edible and can be used to add a splash of color to salads or as garnishes on desserts and drinks.
- Color inspiration: Petunias can provide a rich color palette for designers and artists looking for natural inspiration for their work.
- Nature activities: The plant can be part of educational activities for children, such as a garden treasure hunt or learning about pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
- Culinary arts: Petunia petals can be crystallized with egg whites and sugar to create decorative and edible elements for fine pastries and cakes.

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
- Anger and Resentment: In some cultures, petunias may symbolize feelings of anger and resentment, perhaps because they can thrive with little attention and can spread quickly, which might be seen as invasive.
- Desire and Passion: The vibrant colors and patterns of the Petunia Pinstripe variety could be associated with a representation of intense emotions such as desire or a passionate nature.
- Comfort: The lush and soft appearance of petunias often conveys a sense of comfort and reassurance, making them a common gift to express support.
- Peacefulness: Petunias are frequently used in gardens and outdoor spaces where they help create a tranquil and peaceful environment, symbolizing a desire for serenity.

💧

Every 5-7 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Pinstripe Petunias should be watered thoroughly and deeply, ensuring the soil is moistened. Watering should be done on a regular basis, about one to two times per week, depending on the climate and weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, watering frequency should increase. On average, provide about one gallon of water per plant each week, adjusting as needed for rainfall and temperature. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of leaf diseases, and water early in the morning to allow foliage to dry before nighttime.
Light
Pinstripe Petunias thrive in full sunlight where they can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They perform best when placed in a location where morning light is abundant, which helps the flowers to bloom vigorously. Avoid overly shady spots, as insufficient light can lead to fewer blooms and leggy growth.
Temperature
Pinstripe Petunias prefer temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. They can tolerate a range from 40°F at the low end to temperatures approaching 90°F, but their ideal growing conditions are within the moderate range. Protect from frost, as temperatures below freezing can damage or kill the plant.
Pruning
Pruning Pinstripe Petunias helps maintain their shape and encourages fuller growth with more blossoms. Lightly pinch back the stems every few weeks during the growing season. The best time for pruning is in the late evening or on an overcast day to avoid stress from the sun. Deadheading spent flowers is also recommended to promote continuous blooming.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Petunias prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of peat, compost, and perlite or sand is ideal to ensure sufficient drainage and aeration for the Petunia Pinstripe.
Repotting
Petunias, such as the Petunia Pinstripe, should be repotted once a year in spring, before the onset of the growing season, to replenish the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & Misting
Petunias, including the Petunia Pinstripe, thrive in moderate humidity levels, typically around 40-50%, but are quite adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity conditions found in most homes and gardens.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Petunia Pinstripe in bright, indirect light indoors.
- Outdoor
  Provide full sun and shelter from strong winds for Petunia Pinstripe.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Petunia Pinstripe, or 'Balpepin', begins with germination, where seeds sprout in warm, moist soil conditions, usually in spring. Following germination, the seedlings grow rapidly, developing a root system and foliage through the vegetative stage. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, characterized by the development of distinctively patterned flowers that attract pollinators for reproduction. After pollination, the plant produces seeds, completing its reproductive cycle. In the absence of perennial growth conditions, the petunia will eventually reach senescence and die, often within a single growing season. However, if conditions permit or with proper care, some petunias can survive to the next season if they avoid frost and harsh winters.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- The Petunia Pinstripe, known otherwise simply as Petunia, is commonly propagated through the use of cuttings. This method involves taking a healthy stem from a mature petunia plant, usually about 3 to 4 inches long (approximately 7.6 to 10.2 centimeters), with several leaves attached. The cut end of the stem is then often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a moist potting mix. The cutting should be kept under warm, humid conditions, often achieved by covering the pot with a plastic bag or a dome to retain moisture until roots have sufficiently formed, which generally takes a few weeks. After rooting, the young Petunia plants are gradually acclimated to normal growing conditions and then transplanted to their final location. This method is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in producing clones of the parent plant, ensuring uniformity in the offspring's characteristics.