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Home Ask MG Why didn’t my purple wave petunias grow?

PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Why didn’t my purple wave petunias grow?

May 5, 2011   •   

Last year, I planted healthy Purple Wave petunia plants in a container, but they hardly grew and hardly bloomed. I’ve seen great Purple Wave plants everywhere in the past. What did I do wrong last season?

Without knowing your exact environmental conditions last year, we will try to give some possible reasons things could have gone wrong. Any petunia will require at least 6 hours of sun a day. Any less than that will cause low bud counts and stringy-looking plants.

Using improper soil for a container-grown plant could be another reason. Stay away from topsoil, which is too heavy, holds too much moisture, and restricts root growth. Use a light, “soilless” mix with peat and perlite.

Fertilize every other week with a 20-20-20 fertilizer. “Wave” petunias are rapid growers and heavy feeders. Use a container large enough to let those Wave petunias grow. A pot no smaller than 12 inches would be best.

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