Growing Double Cascade Valentine Petunia Garden Seeds

For earliest blooming, begin Valentine petunia seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the final frost and transplant once there are two sets of true leaves. Valentine 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. Plant 2-3 Valentine petunia seeds ¼ inch deep and 10-14 inches apart in average, medium moist, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting foliage as Valentine petunia seeds are 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. Valentine petunias will benefit from shade and deadheading as they begin to decline as autumn nears. Petunias have no serious pests, but monitor regularly for aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails. Valentine seeds mature in 98-105 days as 10-15 inch tall mounding uprights with a 10-12 inch spread of lush and feathered fully-double 4 inch blooms in a special "Valentine's Day" blend of velvety crimsons, cherries, and reds.

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.