Should you cut back petunias in hanging baskets?

Do petunias need pruning? They absolutely do, and the difference between gorgeous hanging baskets and stringy-looking ones involves appropriate trimming of these plants.

Should I cut back leggy petunias?

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I make my petunias fuller?” Preventing leggy petunias requires that you cut back the branches by one quarter or one half on a regular basis. This may be hard to do, as your petunia plant may be in full bloom when you do this. You can cut back all the branches at once.

Should you cut back hanging baskets?

One thing many people are afraid to do is cut back hanging baskets if the plants start to get leggy. But don’t worry; they like it. In fact, like most annuals, the plants will respond by putting out more growth and the basket will fill in quickly or the other plants will take over.

What causes petunias to get leggy?

Poor light, insufficient soil nutrition and too little water can result in leggy petunias, especially with seedlings. Keep the soil moist and fertilize monthly while providing full sunlight to achieve the most compact plants.

How do you care for petunia hanging baskets?

Hanging petunia plants will most likely need to be watered daily during the summer, and maybe even twice, when the weather is extremely hot and/or there is a strong wind. Water well enough that the excess water will drip out of the drain hole. Never allow the soil to remain continually wet.

Can you use Miracle Grow on petunias?

Petunias are heavy feeders. It is helpful to fertilize petunias (and most annuals) regularly during the growing the season, especially when they are grown in containers. Then follow up with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20, Miracle Gro or fish emulsion every other week through the growing season.

When should I pinch petunia seedlings?

Pinch seedlings for the first time when they have three sets of true leaves. New side branches will develop beneath the leaves, and the original leaves will fall off. Pinch them again when they are about 6 inches tall, and they’ll be ready to transplant outdoors in a week or two if all danger of frost has passed.

Can you plant petunias in a hanging basket?

Planting petunias in hanging baskets is a cinch, as long as you use a sturdy container with at least one drainage hole. Fill the container with a lightweight commercial potting mix, which will promote healthy drainage. Never use garden soil, which quickly becomes compacted and too heavy for proper drainage.

Do you need to cut back petunias in the garden?

But cutting back petunia plants is essential to keeping them looking their best during their short stay in your garden. You must have noticed how, over time, your fabulous hanging petunia baskets suddenly look awful, with stringy, long stems dangling limply down the side of the pot.

Do you have to water hanging petunias every day?

Buy beautiful hanging petunia baskets from your local florist today! The lady at the store was correct. You will probably need to water the hanging baskets every day. Hanging baskets containing annuals such as petunias will need more water than houseplants.

Is it normal for petunias to have long stems?

It’s normal for cascading or trailing varieties to develop long stems, as these petunias are designed to spread out over a landscape or spill over the sides of a hanging basket or planter. On the other hand, if a mounding petunia or variety such as a grandiflora develops long, spindly stems and starts looking unkempt, it’s time for a trim.