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Hardiest houseplant
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Petunias are easy-to-grow perennials, which are ideal for hanging baskets and vases
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PETUNIA IS one of the hardiest and most easily grown winter annuals and perennials from South America. It is a genus of about 40 species belonging to the family Solanaceae; These sticky-haired houseplants, which are excellent for hanging baskets, vases and winter-boxes, spread to erect branching. Simple ovate to lance-shaped mid to dark green leaves are mostly alternate; upper leaves may be opposite, 5 to 12 cms long and hairy. Five-lobed, frilled, single or double saucer or trumpet-shaped flowers are borne in the upper leaf axils — 30 cms across — in a variety of colours mainly pink, red, pale yellow, violet, blue or white. Some have dark veiny throats in contrasting colours.
Petunia is divided into two groups. Grandiflore petunias and Multiflora petunias. Grandiflora petunias have large flowers — 10 cms across. They are quite delicate and are best grown in sheltered hanging baskets and containers.
Multilfora petunias are bushier than grandiflora, with smaller flowers 5 cms across and are produced in great quantity.
They are more tolerant to wet weather and are ideal for summer bedding or in mixed borders. They are fast spreading and ideal for ground cover; producing a colour range that includes strong reds, orange, pink, magenta and white. Petunia `Purple wave' is more popular with a spreading habit and vibrant magenta flowers. `Surfina purple' has magenta flowers with purple veining.
Grandiflora picotee series bear dark red flowers with broad ruffled white margins.
Grow petunias in loam-based patting compost in full light when in growth water freely and apply a high potassium fertilizer every two weeks. Outdoors, grow in light well-drained soil in full light, sheltered from winds.
Propagation is by seeds or soft cutting.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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