How to grow petunias against insects
How to grow petunias against insects
The Petunias are a genus of dicotyledonous plants belonging to the Solanaceae family, native to South America which form very branched bushes, up to 60 cm tall, very flowery. In this sheet we see how to grow the petunias against some insects, among other extraordinary plants in protecting the potatoes from the Colorado beetle, which is the most dangerous parasite for the tubers. For the cultivation of petunias you must choose very bright places with exposure to the sun for at least six hours a day, which will allow a very abundant flowering. He is afraid of cold winds so if not grown in pot you have to choose season and suitable places (it is good that the temperature does not fall below 15 ° C). the ground for the petunias must be well endowed with organic substance, not of calcareous nature and very draining. After the initial fertilization, with a good compost or mature manure, periodic fertilization is recommended using a mixture of water, compost (or mature manure), macerated for a couple of days and distributed periodically close to the roots of the plants.
Do not use nitrates and synthetic fertilizers. Petunias are very demanding in terms of irrigation, especially during the hot months.
For the sowing of the petunias we must consider that the month in which it can vegetate well outside is that of May; a seedbed can be arranged in April and transplanted in May.
You can plant according to a provision in flower beds or by consociating it with the potato for the containment of the Colorado beetle that is among the most dangerous parasites of these solanaceous plants.
Petunias flower abundantly from mid-spring to mid-autumn. To favor the emission of new buds it is necessary to prune the parts that are now flowering and drying out.
Among the most annoying parasites are: the red spider; for the fight against this small mite you can act following the instructions contained herein.
Other antagonists may be the aphids which however create more problems in the first part of their vegetation and can be kept in a bade with sprays based on Marseille soap.
Finally, even some fungal attacks (especially the Aletrnaria) can create some problems especially if you have exceeded with irrigation or have grown too dense or due to problems of stagnation. A good solution can be that based on extracts of horsetail.