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CarolineScott Mar 21, 2014 10:38 AM CST |
I have seeds of Fire Chief Petunia sprouting under lights. It was the AAS award winning petunia in 1950 ! |
saltmarsh Mar 21, 2014 10:58 AM CST |
I'm using Fire Chief and another called Old Fashioned for insect control this year. Did you surface sow and use a dome with light to sprout them? I've never started petunias from seed before. Advice would be appreciated. Claud |
CarolineScott Mar 21, 2014 11:04 AM CST |
Yes, I start all the petunias under lights in a tray with a clear cover until they sprout. Then the cover comes off. The seed is surface sown onto a Pro Mix seed starter medium. I did Old Fashion last year, but think they are not good for my containers as they tend to grow more upright. In a wildflower setting they would be neat. |
saltmarsh Mar 21, 2014 11:13 AM CST |
Thanks, Caroline. I'm planting 4 varieties, 2 on the ground with my squash and 2 other varieties with my cucumbers on a 6' vegetable trellis hoping they will climb it. (Corrected to avoid confusion) |
CarolineScott Mar 21, 2014 6:50 PM CST |
Well petunias don't really climb. Last year I did climbing and vining petunias. They need to be encouraged to grow against a trellis. I used tomatoe clips to hold them onto the trellis. What is the idea for them to help with insects? They are sticky and so trap insects? The modern petunias have the stickiness bred out of them. This is a good reason for saving the older varieties! |
saltmarsh Mar 21, 2014 11:11 PM CST |
I'm sorry, I said tomatoes (I'll correct my post above before I confuse others.), but I meant to say I'm planting the petunias with my squash and cucumbers. 'Fire Chief' and 'Rainmaster' will be planted on the ground with my 'Early Prolific Straightneck' squash and 'Old-Fashioned Climbing' and 'Balcony Petunia' will be clipped to the trellis with the cucumbers ('Boston Pickling' from A.P. Whaley, 'Beth Alpha' and 'Picollo di Parigi' from Franchi Seeds). Again, sorry for the confusion. Claud From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L... Flower____Latin name________ Helps__________________________________________________Repels/Distracts_________________________________________Comments Petunia__Petunia x hybrida__cucurbits (squash, pumpkins, cucumbers), asparagus__leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, aphids, asparagus beetle___A trap crop, attracting pests away from squash, pumpkins ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________and cucumbers 'Fire Chief' http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi... ![]() 'Rainmaster' http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi... ![]() 'Old-Fashioned Climbing' http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi... ![]() 'Balcony Petunia' http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi... ![]() Cucumber, 'Beth Alpha' http://www.growitalian.com/cuc... ![]() Cucumber, 'Picollo di Parigi' http://www.growitalian.com/cuc... ![]() |
CarolineScott Mar 22, 2014 6:41 AM CST |
So now I know how petunias can be used as a trap crop with cucumbers and squash. I don't know that we have the same insects, but that is good to know. I only do a few veges for my own use, but I will be planting a petunia or two with them. Thanks for sharing the information. |
CarolineScott Jul 30, 2015 9:02 AM CST |
Firechief Petunia is a good clear red this year.![]() |
gardengus Jul 30, 2015 9:16 AM CST |
![]() a very nice red Keep believing ,hoping,and loving all else is just existing. |
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