How to prune a petunia
Miscellaneous / / July 04, 2023
Thanks to the haircut, the bush will become more magnificent, and there will be more flowers.
Why trim a petunia
In open ground, the plant has enough space, it grows evenly and does not require shaping. In the pots, the petunia becomes crowded, because of which its shoots begin to stretch, and the flowering gradually decreases. A timely haircut helps to give the bush a neat shape and stimulates the formation of many buds.
Formative pruning can be carried out at all stages of flower development, shortening branches that are too elongated and stand out from the common “cap”. A “rejuvenating” haircut is needed around the middle of summer - when the petunia grows strongly, and the buds will be located closer to the ends of the shoots.
Things to keep in mind when pruning petunias
- If you are satisfied with the appearance of the petunia, do not rush to grab the scissors. Shearing is an optional procedure for all plants. In addition, there are varieties and hybrids petunias, which do not require pruning at all, as they themselves form a lush flowering ball and keep in this form all season.
- Before cutting each plant, disinfect the tool by wiping the blades with an alcohol-based liquid. This will help not to transfer the disease from one bush to another.
How to prune a petunia
You will need sharp pruners or scissors. A shaping haircut can be done simply with your hands, pinching off the emerging shoots. Some gardeners are afraid to cut the petunia, but it will quickly recover after the procedure and become even more beautiful.
1. Formative pruning
Carefully inspect the bush. Begin to shorten all shoots that go beyond the pots. Pinch off or cut off stems right at the very contour of the pot.
Thus, shorten the shoots around the entire perimeter of the container. You can not try to make an even and neat cut at a certain angle.
As a result, the petunia will begin to produce new branches from the axils of the leaves on the remaining parts of the shoots.
You can resort to such a haircut a few more times until you give the petunia a lush, neat shape. Moreover, it is possible to shorten all the shoots along the contour of the pots, as well as cut off separately knocked-out stems.
2. "Rejuvenating" pruning
The principle of such a haircut is similar to the shaping one. First, cut off all the shoots along the contour of the planter.
Then shorten the upper stems, giving the bush the shape of a ball. At the same time, do not overdo it: the length of the branches should be at least 10–12 cm.
Raise the remaining stems and remove the yellowed and dry lower leaves. This can be done by hand.
After such a radical haircut, petunia will look, to put it mildly, unattractive. But don't worry, after 2-3 weeks it will turn into a neat bush strewn with flowers.
How to care for petunias after pruning
In order for the plant to recover faster and begin to actively increase its green mass, it must be provided with nitrogen nutrition. To do this, dissolve 10 g of urea (urea) in 10 liters of water and generously spray the petunia leaves with this mixture. the first top dressing should be carried out immediately after pruning, the second - in another week. Try to do this early in the morning or in the evening at sunset so that drops of fertilizer under the influence of sunlight do not burn the leaves.
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