Growing Wave Series Petunia Garden Seeds

For earliest blooming, begin Wave Series petunia seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the final frost and transplant once there are two sets of true leaves. Wave Series seeds will germinate within 14 days with full lighting. If transplanting outside, harden off seedlings into a partially shaded spot in the garden, or an equally moderate place indoors. Plants are very adaptable to being repotted. Plant 2-3 Wave Series petunia seeds 12-36 inches apart in average, medium moist, and well-drained soil in full sun. Wave Series seeds are hardier than most petunias and are drought tolerant, but avoid overwatering to minimize wetting foliage as Wave Series petunia seeds are still susceptible to fungal and leaf diseases and gray mold if not properly ventilated. Plants are known to be susceptible to blight and tobacco mosaic virus, since Petunia x hybrida is closely related to the tobacco plant. Petunias have no serious pests, but monitor regularly for aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails. Wave Series seeds mature in 98-105 days as 4-8 inch tall trailing mounds with a 24-48 inch wide spread of classic 2 inch blooms.

Wave Series petunias are a 2003 All-American Selections Flower Winner noted by AAS judges for their "velvety dark 2" blooms" and "no pinching or pruning is needed to flower all season." Second only to impatiens in annual bedding plant sales, the petunia has been a popular plant for many years due in large part to its ease of culture and non-stop flowering from spring to frost. Petunia is a genus of 20 species native to South America and the genus is loosely derived from an old Guarani word meaning "tobacco" since the two plants are both in the nightshade family.