Petunia is an aromatic, sun-loving plant. Many varieties with different colors allow you to create original flower beds, without resorting to planting other flowers. According to the shape of the bushes, petunias are divided into bush, ampelous and cascading.
By the number of flower petals distinguish simple and terry. It grows well on fertilized soil, does not like alkaline and sour soil. With proper care it blooms until the first frost.
Features flower care
In order for the petunia to grow lush and healthy, it requires painstaking care, which begins immediately with the emergence of shoots:
- Every sprout should be allowed to develop a root system.
- Every 10 days to feed with potash fertilizers (nitrogen fertilizers lead to a shrinkage of the bush, the flowers do not appear), especially flowers in the pots.
- To water in a timely manner and moderately, followed by loosening.
- Pinch long stems and pick dry flowers.
We offer to watch a video on how to properly care for petunia:
What does stickiness mean?
Several varieties of petunias have weak leaf stickiness.. At a time when poplar fluff flies or with a strong dusty wind the plants look untidy. You can cope with this by arranging a moderate shower for flowers.
We offer to watch a video on why petunia can be sticky:
Why leaves begin to stick and what should I do?
There are several reasons why leaves can become sticky, so each case requires a certain approach:
- Petunia leaves become sticky, attracting dust, then deform and die due to aphid attacks. She is a peddler of viruses. You can fight it by washing the leaves with infusion of celandine with the addition of tar soap. You can also use chemicals.
- Gray rot destroyed by spraying "Skor" or other tested means. Processing, like fertilizer, is carried out periodically. In case of disease, the plant should be shortly “cut”.
- For protection from shityovki Petunia also emits a sticky substance, which soot is spread on soot. The plant therefore becomes black and dies. The shield can be washed off with alcohol or soapy water using a tampon. Insecticides are also effective.
Gray rot on the plant
Gray rot is a fungus; when it is exposed, quickly drying brown spots on the leaves and sprouts of petunias appear. On the spot spots a gray scurf.
The reasons
Gray rot quickly affects the entire plant if there is not enough light, and also when there is an excess of nitrogen in the soil. If moisture accumulates in the air and in the soil, conditions for the development of a fungus are formed. The disease starts from the roots. The fungus becomes noticeable only when it strikes the upper part of the plant..
Solution to the problem
To prevent the spread of the disease, you should:
- Normalize watering.
- Provide access to sunlight.
- Treat with gray rot preparations in accordance with the instructions (Integral is effective).
- If an entire plant is affected, it is pulled out.
Raid on the sheet plate
Gray
Brown spots in the form of a rash on the stems and leaves. Subsequently, a gray down appears on the affected areas, partial drying occurs, the plant withers and rot.
Why is the plant covered with it?
By the appearance of a gray plaque leads thickened landing, a sharp drop in temperature, fertilizing with nitrogen.
How to get rid?
The disease stops when:
- temperature rises to 25 degrees;
- removed damaged stems;
- the soil is cleared of dried diseased leaves;
- fertilized with potassium and phosphorus;
- the primer is treated with “Skor” or “Maxim”;
- with severe infection, the flowers are removed.
White
This fungus is called Mealy Dew. He lives in the upper layer of soil.
The reasons
With a sharp decrease in temperature, high humidity, frequent planting and lack of sun, the fungus gets good conditions for distribution. Also contaminated neighbors or water cause infection..
Solution to the problem
- For the prevention of disease, the soil is disinfected before planting and the foundation or topaz is applied.
- Planting flowers produced at a sufficient distance so that when they grow they do not create inconvenience to each other.
- Affected leaves and buds tear off. If the flowers are completely infected, they are not cured, they and the upper layers of the soil are removed.
White scurf forming mycelium
Part of the plant above the mycelium softens and dies.
What is produced?
Infection appears on petunias that are planted on acidic soil.. High humidity and lower temperatures give rise to the development of the disease.
Ways of liquidation
To cure plants you should:
- Thaw a flower bed.
- Remove damaged areas and treat the plant with charcoal.
- Dig the soil by adding lime.
- Sprinkle ash over the entire area and treat it with white rot preparations.
Preventive measures
Petunia is considered unpretentious flower, but requiring attention. Like all living things, he falls ill, if not to prevent this phenomenon with preventive measures, namely:
- To choose the right place for growth, taking into account the lighting, airing and the absence of drafts.
- Produce regular, but infrequent spraying with pests.
- Do not allow the neighborhood with diseased plants.
- To fertilize the land before planting, using a nitrogen-containing means in a minimum amount.
Depending on the variety on the bushes of petunias, it can bloom as much or as several flowers, both large and small. For this and for the multicolor petunia is considered the "princess of flowers." Friendly plant, can grow in the soil, and in any capacity.
The most difficult when breeding petunia - to grow seedlings from seed. Further cultivation does not require much effort, except for mandatory care. Proper soil preparation and preventive measures will prevent many diseases, and regular spraying with pills will discourage them from settling on well-groomed flowers.
