Cutting Back Petunias

By Ellen Brown

Question:

I have beautiful hanging baskets of (mainly) petunias on my northeast facing porch. They are beginning to look rather ragged now (almost mid July). I faithfully water, use liquid fertilizer each week and have even added some high quality potting soil to the baskets. I believe I once read something about cutting back petunias around this time. Any suggestions?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Bellanell from Pleasant Mount, PA

Answer:

Bellanell,

I realize that by now you have solved your Petunia problem, but here is some advice that you and other Petunia growers might find useful for next year.

Around mid-summer, Petunias usually start to look a bit scraggly and some of their flower production starts to diminish. To counteract this, shoots can be pruned back to about half of their length, even farther, providing you do not remove all of their leaves. To force new flowers, fertilize your Petunias with a liquid fertilizer and give them plenty of water. Removing spent flowers (deadheading) will also help improve their appearance and stimulate further blooming.

Ellen

About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com

Answers:

Cutting Back Petunias

Guess what? It is time to give those petunias a haircut! They have been blooming for several months by now (at least where we live, California) and are becoming rather leggy and pooped looking! Just trim the plants back to about 3-4 inches long. Feed them like you have been and you will have new flowers in a few weeks and that will take you through end of September! Hope this helps. It works for me so I hope this helps you too! (07/10/2008)

By Liz

Cutting Back Petunias

Be sure they are getting lots of afternoon sun. (07/11/2008)