Petunia Petunia × atkinsiana 'Storm Salmon'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The petunia 'Storm Salmon' is a striking flowering plant known for its vibrant blooms. The predominant color of the flowers is a soft and rich salmon, presenting a gradient that can range from deep coral shades to lighter peachy hues. These blossoms are sizable and trumpet-shaped with slightly ruffled edges that provide a sense of texture and volume. The petals might occasionally display subtle veins or throats of a contrasting color, usually in shades of yellow or deeper pink, adding to their visual interest. The flowers emerge from dark green foliage that serves as a lush backdrop for the vivacious blooms. The leaves are typically oval and pointed, giving the plant a full and abundant appearance. When in full bloom, petunia 'Storm Salmon' is known for its ability to provide a spectacular display of color, and its blossoms are often closely packed together, creating a continuous wave of salmon shades. This variety of petunia is popular for its hardiness against adverse weather conditions and is often seen adding a splash of color to gardens, hanging baskets, or containers.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Garden Petunia, Hybrid Petunia
- Common names
  Petunia × hybrida 'Storm Salmon'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Petunias, including the 'Storm Salmon' variety, are generally not considered toxic to humans. They are not known to contain any substances that are poisonous if ingested. Consequently, they typically do not cause harm when touched or accidentally consumed in small quantities. However, consuming any non-food plant can potentially cause mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. As with any plant, it is advisable to avoid ingesting it and to keep it out of reach of children who may be tempted to eat it.
- To pets
  Petunias, such as the 'Storm Salmon' variety, are generally recognized as non-toxic to pets. Cats, dogs, and other domestic animals can usually interact with these flowers without risk of poisoning. There are no specific symptoms associated with petunia poisoning simply because they are not known to be poisonous. If a pet were to ingest large quantities of petunias, they might experience mild gastrointestinal upset due to the ingestion of non-food material, but any serious toxicity is unlikely. It's always a good practice to monitor pets around plants and discourage them from eating ornamental plants to prevent any potential digestive issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Salmon
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Vibrant Colors: Petunias showcase a wide range of colors, with 'Storm Salmon' offering a distinct salmon-pink hue that adds a pop of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Continuous Blooming: Petunias bloom throughout the spring and summer, providing long-lasting visual interest.
- Easy to Grow: With minimal maintenance requirements, petunias are beginner-friendly and can thrive in various conditions.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, petunias can withstand periods of low water availability, making them suitable for waterwise gardens.
- Versatility: These plants can be grown in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Pollinators Attraction: Petunias attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Fast Growth: Petunias have a rapid growth rate, filling in garden spaces and containers quickly and providing immediate impact.
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
- Colorant in Art Projects: The vibrant hues of the Petunia can be used to create natural dyes or as inspiration for color schemes in paintings and textiles.
- Teaching Tool in Genetics: Due to the diverse coloration and patterns, Petunias can be used in educational settings to demonstrate Mendelian genetics and inheritance.
- Photography Subject: Petunias, with their rich colors and intricate designs, can be excellent subjects for macro photography to showcase the intricate details of nature.
- Floral Arrangements: Beyond the garden, Petunias can be integrated into unique floral arrangements for events and home décor.
- Natural Confetti: Petunia petals, once dried, can serve as biodegradable confetti for celebrations, reducing environmental impact.
- Perfumery: Although not a common use, the subtle scent of Petunias can be captured and used in creating custom perfumes or scented sachets.
- Garden Mulch: When Petunia plants are at the end of their lifecycle, they can be composted and returned to the garden as mulch to enrich the soil.
- Bee and Butterfly Gardens: Petunias can be strategically planted to attract and support pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
- Educational Crafts: The easy-to-grow Petunia can be incorporated into school gardening projects, teaching children about plant life cycles and responsibility.
- Literary Inspiration: The beauty and variety of Petunias can inspire poets and writers, often being used as motifs in literature and poetry.

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 - Historically, petunias have been associated with feelings of anger and resentment, particularly when given in a bouquet.
- Resentment - Similar to anger, petunias can symbolize a sense of dissatisfaction or annoyance in a relationship.
- Desire - Their vibrant colors and presence in gardens have also linked petunias with a desire and passion, making them represent a longing for someone's company.
- Comfort - The variety of petunias and their easy-going nature in gardens can translate to feelings of solace and the comfort of being with someone.
- Companionship - Because they flourish when planted in groups, petunias can symbolize the joy and pleasure of companionship and social gatherings.

💧

Every 5-7 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Petunias, including the Storm Salmon variety, should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this means watering them about once a week, but this can vary depending on weather conditions and soil drainage. When you water, do so at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease. Aim to provide approximately one gallon of water per square yard of soil every week during the growing season. Adjust the amount of water during very hot or dry periods, as the plants may need more frequent watering to stay hydrated.
Light
Petunias like Storm Salmon petunias thrive in full sun conditions, meaning they require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to perform their best. They should be placed in a location where they can receive ample morning sunlight and continued exposure throughout the day. If grown indoors, a south-facing window is typically an ideal spot to provide the necessary light. However, in extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent stress from excessive heat.
Temperature
Petunias, including the Storm Salmon variety, prefer moderate temperatures and perform best when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit but may not survive frost or freeze conditions. On the higher end, they can withstand temperatures up to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, though prolonged heat can stress the plants. For optimal growth, maintaining the temperature within the preferred range is ideal.
Pruning
Pruning Storm Salmon petunias helps to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch off the tips of the stems and any faded or dead flowers to promote branching and new flower development. Perform this task every few weeks throughout the growing season to maintain plant shape and vigor. The best time to prune petunias is in the early morning or late afternoon when the plant is not under direct sunlight, which reduces stress on the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Petunia plants thrive in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix for Petunias can be made with equal parts peat moss, potting soil, and perlite or sand to ensure good drainage. Amend with a slow-release fertilizer before planting for best results.
Repotting
Petunias, generally grown as annuals, do not require repotting. However, they can be repotted every spring if they are kept as perennials in regions without frost to refresh the soil and promote healthy growth.
Humidity & Misting
Petunias prefer moderate to high humidity levels but are quite adaptable and can tolerate lower humidity. They perform well in typical outdoor humidity levels and do not require any special humidity adjustments when grown in the garden.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Petunias in a sunny spot indoors and ensure proper air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Grow Petunias in full sun, shelter from strong winds, water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Petunia 'Storm Salmon' begins its life cycle when the seeds are sown in moist, well-draining soil and in warm conditions, leading to germination. After germination, the seedlings emerge, growing primary leaves and developing a root system. As it enters the vegetative stage, the plant grows rapidly, producing a bushy structure with multiple leaves and stems. When mature enough, it transitions to the flowering stage, where it produces vibrant salmon-colored blooms that attract pollinators, signaling its reproductive phase. Following pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules which, upon maturity, release seeds, thereby completing its life cycle and potentially starting a new generation if conditions allow. During its growth, the plant may undergo multiple flowering cycles, especially in favorable climates or when grown as an annual in temperate regions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- Propogation: The Petunia × atkinsiana 'Storm Salmon', commonly known as the petunia, is typically propagated through seed sowing. Growing petunias from seeds begins indoors, about 10-12 weeks before the last frost date. To propagate, you distribute the seeds evenly on the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix, since petunia seeds need light to germinate. Do not cover them with soil but lightly press them into the mix and mist to keep them moist. Make sure to provide warmth, as the required temperature for germination is about 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius), and adequate light conditions. Once the seedlings have grown and the danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors in the garden or into containers.