If you have a garden, or you want to add a little joy to your balcony at home, the hanging petunias They are the ideal option. In reality, these types of plants are surfinias, but they are known by the nickname we just mentioned due to their great resemblance to traditional petunias.
In different colors and very easy to care for, these plants manage to fill any outdoor corner with life, and when the weather is warm they produce flowers non-stop. Let's see what to do to make them look prettier than ever!
Petunias or hanging petunias?
Petunias and surfinias or hanging petunias can be confused due to their great similarity, but we are talking about two different plants. What happens is that surfinia is a hybrid of petunia, and hence their similarities.
In both cases we are dealing with varieties that stand out for their abundant flowering between spring and summer, especially in warm areas. They have small green leaves, with small hairs and a somewhat sticky feel.
As for the flowers, they show a shape similar to a trumpet and we can see them in a great variety of colors. There are even varieties that combine two colors. The flowers are, without a doubt, the most attractive part of this plant, and they are of a size that makes the small leaves go completely unnoticed.
If they are so similar, then how can we tell hanging petunias from regular petunias? Paying attention to the following points:
- Flowers. The flowering of surfinia is more abundant, but in exchange, its flowers are a little smaller.
- Growth. Petunias are creeping plants, that is, they grow at ground level, although some can acquire certain hanging characteristics depending on how they are planted. On the contrary, surfinias meet all the traits to be hanging plants.
- Reproduction. Surfinias are hybrids of petunias and their stamens are sterile. Since they do not produce seeds, they can only be reproduced through cuttings. On the contrary, we can reproduce classic petunias both through cuttings and through their seeds.
Care for hanging petunias
Surfinias are plants very resistant and undemanding. Thanks to them you can enjoy the luxury of having a balcony or garden full of flowers, without having to spend a lot of time gardening. If you want your hanging petunia to look better than ever, here are some useful tips for caring for it.
Location
These plants love light, so the perfect location for them is one where they can receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day. Although they can be in full sun, temperatures during the summer are very high, so it doesn't hurt that they receive a little shade.
Land
Surfinias prefer well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. These plants need humidity, so you need a substrate capable of retaining it, but not becoming too humid.
If you have hanging petunias planted in a pot, make sure that the chosen container has holes that allow the excess water from irrigation to drain. If you have placed a plate underneath, empty it after each watering.
Irrigation
Surfinia does not cope well with drought. These plants like water and, therefore, during the summer it is convenient water them every two days, even daily if you live in a very warm area.
The good keep moist soil, but not waterlogged. It is preferable to water first thing in the morning and let the soil dry throughout the day. Besides, It is not advisable to water the flowers or leaves directly., since excess moisture in them can be a source of fungal infections.
Fertilization
If you take good care of your surfinias they will grow quickly and produce many flowers. However, if you want to see them even more beautiful, you can add a little liquid fertilizer in irrigation water.
During the growing season, which extends from spring to summer, it is enough to fertilize every three or four weeks, always following the manufacturer's instructions.
Pruning Hanging Petunias
The growth of this plant can even be excessive. Whenever necessary, pYou can prune to maintain its shape and ensure compact growth.
As for wilted flowers, you can prune them with complete peace of mind. This will prevent the plant from devoting energy to flowers that have already died, and will encourage continued and increasingly lush flowering.
Pests and infections
Hanging petunias are very attractive to insects such as aphids and also for Mites, you can even find some snail if you check their sheets. It's okay if there is some animal life around your plants, because it is a natural ecosystem, but you should check that everything is under control.
If what you have is a pest, it is advisable to act as soon as possible. You can apply specific products that can be purchased in specialized stores or apply natural insecticides such as neem oil.
Another potential risk for these plants is fungal infections. As we said before, these are enhanced if there is excess humidity and, precisely for this reason, the best way to prevent them is to try not to wet the flowers or leaves when we are watering.
Winter care
Although we associate hanging petunias with summer, the truth is that they are plants that also They can withstand winters well if they are warm. In fact, in areas that enjoy a stable temperature in winter, flowering can be maintained practically all year round.
Even without flowers, if the winter is not very cold, or if we have protected them well, hanging petunias They can survive from one season to the next. However, old plants tend to bloom worse and their foliage becomes less dense, so it is advisable to buy new plants once the good weather arrives. And you, how do you take care of surfinias? Leave us your tips in the comments.