Culture tips for Ramblin’ Trailing Petunias
Debuting in 2001 with ‘Nu Blue’, ‘BurgundyChrome’, ‘Shades of Pink’ and ‘Peach Glo’, theRamblin” series’ determinate plant habit won’t takeover the bench or garden bed, making it the perfect choice for a hanging basketor a 4-inch petunia program. Easy to grow, these center-flowering petunias areprofuse bloomers that will jump-start both spring and fall market petuniasales.
Start your engines
Ramblin’ is as easy to grow as the traditionalgrandiflora petunia series. Sow seed on a saturated media and germinate at72-76° F. Provide 10-100 foot candles to obtain optimum germination. Beginfertilizing in Stage 2 with an EC of 1.1-1.5. If desired, supplemental lightingat 400 foot candles for a 16-hour day will initiate even earlier flower buddevelopment. Producing a high-quality petunia plug is dependent upon carefulwater management during Stage 3. Allow the media to go through wet/dry cyclesevery 24 hours. To avoid stretching, reduce ammonium and apply onlycalcium-based fertilizers. Reduce temperatures to 65-68° F to produce astronger seedling. Growth regulators may be applied after the first true leaveshave appeared. Begin toning the petunia seedlings in Stage 4 by manipulatingwater, temperatures and nutrients. Continue with the wet/dry cycles every 24hours, and reduce temperatures to 62-65° F.
Supplemental calcium and magnesium can be applied to promoteadditional root growth.
Transplant Ramblin’ as soon as a root system isestablished. Root-bound plugs do not transplant well.
Green lights all the way
Ramblin’ trailing petunias use less growth regulatorsand are not as daylength sensitive as other trailing-type petunias, makingRamblin’ very economical to grow. Transplant Ramblin’ into hangingbaskets, 4-inch and larger containers. Ramblin’ is also a great additionto mixed color bowls. Grow as you would any other grandiflora petunia. A heavyfeeder, Ramblin’ should be fertilized with a complete fertilizer at arate of 150-200 ppm. After buds set, lowering temperatures to 55-60° F can encouragebasal branching and compactness. Ramblin’ petunias are responsive toB-Nine, Bonzi, Sumagic and DIF for controlling growth.
The Road to Success
Gardeners can expect Ramblin’ to trail 1.5-2.5 feetover a container’s edge or spread 2.5-3 feet in the garden bed. Inaddition to its trailing habit, Ramblin’ will also mound 10-12 inches tocreate a display that is easily viewed from a distance.
A recent addition to The Flower Fields program, theRamblin’ series will expand to seven colors for 2002 with the addition of’Lilac Glo’, ‘Neon Rose’ and ‘SalmonCapri’. Take Ramblin’ trailing petunias to the limit by offeringthese exciting colors for both your early spring and fall season petuniaprograms.
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