Ahh yes, heard of it, thanks Vicki, that will help me know what to look or ask for.

Here's a few shots from this morning of my big balls this year. We have had a few frosty nights, so they are looking a bit rough














and this was from 2 weeks ago

Joanne, I have followed your photo's for years, even when I was a DGer.

Your petunia's are to absolutely die for. I so wish I could grow them like you do.

I actually have this article starred so I can keep referring to it

How do you keep them so big and healthy looking Joanne?

Thanks All!

It starts with all the stuff I mention in the article. I hate deadheading and simply don't do it, ever. All the varieties of petunias that I grow are "free-flowering" meaning continuous. They are Daylight neutral and/or close to. Many petunias that are NOT daylight neutral will stop producing new flower buds once the days start to become noticeable shorter than 13 hours. Daylight Neutral guys keep going with flower bud production with as little as 10 hours daylight.

In addition to the slow release, I fertilize every 2 weeks with a water soluble (sprayer) From late July 'til they freeze. We often don't really get good growing degrees days until late June. OUr days are over 16-1/2 hours then and the plants grow fast. By end of July they need that extra water soluble jolt every few weeks. Keep an eye out for a new tip slated for publication on ATP for Sept 16 called Flowerpower. You may find it helpful. I use a high middle number, that promotes flowers, for fertilizing the annuals with the sprayer. The better ones often have micro-nutrients and the container should state that.

If the plants are big, the roots are big and these guys are always hungry and thirsty. Bigger pots are easier to maintain and to keep hydrated. Right now, I water the baskets every 2nd or 3rd day. Our night have been near or freezing, so they don't dry out as quickly. Hope that helps.

Did you post a specific list of daylight neutral petunias?

I did waves this year and in the past two weeks they have really slowed down with their blooming. Our days are definitely shorter.

I have them in a water fountain and in June they were just stunning and spilling over. DD said it was like coming to Disney World

Today, they look pretty pathetic but I have watered and fertilized faithfully.

I will have that info in the Petunia plantfile database soon. I'm just finishing some data entry for the calibrachoas (now 370+ varieties in our database ) and then I will start on the petunias. Most of the Easywaves and Tidal Waves are not as sensitive to the shorter days. The Waves are sensitive to the shorter days. I do find that the "wave groups", actually most seed variety petunias have a bigger root system than some of the other vegetative hybrids. Stab the soil in pots with a small stick or wire so the water/fertilizer can get to the roots. Your soil may be a bit compacted and the plant is just getting enough to barely stay alive

Got 'cha!

Thank you Joanne

LOL, I meant stab the soil in the pots not the pots themselves
Also, if you can see the soil thru your flower display, cover (mulch) it with either more soil, sand or mini bark. That will prevent it from drying out so quickly

I knew what you meant

Great information. I will have to give it a try next year.

always great info.. thanks!!!

Joanne, it will be great to have the information about daylight sensitivity in the database. That information just isn't easy to come by. I'm always searching for it, usually without much success. Could you let us know when you've done it, by updating this thread?

Karen

Then we can star it, print it, etc....

Thank you Joanne!

Great idea for the database, I'm interested in seeing it, too!

Joannabanana said:

I invite all of you to take a before, mid summer and late season picture of your masterpiece to share with this article. This year, My front yard has Pink, White and Burgundy, Back yard is Blue (looks dark purple), lavender and burgundy. I have just started doing my baskets & window boxes. It may snow on Friday, so I will add this year's photos next week.

Seems weird to quote myself, but this article popped up in Random Ideas. so how did you Big Balls turn out?
Here' some pictures from late September.

I could look at your beautiful bouquets of flowers forever

Can't wait for spring to see what you do next Joanne.

All the seed catalogues have started to arrive, so now to just pick the faves

None here yet. I love when they start arriving.