Some Petunia Assistance Would be fantastic please. Go Easy on me- It's my first time...........!

[Steve Watson]

Good morning.
This will make some of you shake your head with despair. It will really expose me as an amature, but here goes.. enjoy a laugh at my expense.....

I have 4 empty hanging baskets at size 14" ready and I intend to have them overflowing ASAP with petunias - purely because I have googled the type of flower I like and these are exactly what I want. so, I am looking for some tips.
so far- I have 300 seeds on the way from EBAY (china) these should arrive 6th May??? dubious.. I have a greenhouse and loads of pots.

I need to know a few basics...
Am I timing the seeding ok? or shall I save them for next year and buy established plants from the shop this time round?

If I am in time to go down the seeding route, here are my questions....
What soil type is best?
Is there a good food supplement to add?
How often to water?
How many seeds per container will I need to plant?
when do I transfer to the baskets?

If I have left it too late, here are my questions....
how many established plants should I buy PER 14" hanging basket.?
How often to water?
When to water?
What can I do to protect from bugs that eat them?

Any other words of wisdom?
apart from sweet pea- Are there any other types of perenials that grow nicely to complement petunias?

Steve

Thanks in anticipation of ANY advice.

Steve

 

[Logan]

Hello Steve and welcome to the forum.
It's a bit late to start petunias from seed. I'd try and get some plants.

I'd put in about 5 plants in the basket, you could use a slow release fertiliser that you put in the compost when planting or like a liquid feed for tomatoes

Watering: check the compost to see if its dry then water them until the water runs out of the bottom. In hot weather you'll have to water them twice a day and let the water come out the bottom remember to take off the old flowers.

You could plant with 1 hanging fuchsias or 1 trailing geraniums, if so only put 3 or 4 petunias in.

 

[Steve Watson]

Thank you Logan.
Now I just need to source some! hectic times finding anything right now for obvious reasons.
Steve

 

[Logan]

Thank you Logan.
Now I just need to source some! hectic times finding anything right now for obvious reasons.
Steve

That's ok, you're welcome.