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Mar 21, 2014 10:38 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I have seeds of Fire Chief Petunia sprouting under lights.
It was the AAS award winning petunia in 1950 !
Last edited by CarolineScott Mar 21, 2014 11:06 AM Icon for preview
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Mar 21, 2014 10:58 AM CST
Name: Claud
Water Valley, Ms (Zone 7b)
Charter ATP Member
I'm using Fire Chief and another called Old Fashioned for insect control this year. Did you surface sow and use a dome with light to sprout them? I've never started petunias from seed before. Advice would be appreciated. Claud
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Mar 21, 2014 11:04 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Yes, I start all the petunias under lights in a tray with a clear cover until they sprout.
Then the cover comes off. The seed is surface sown onto a Pro Mix seed starter medium.
I did Old Fashion last year, but think they are not good for my containers as they tend to grow more upright.
In a wildflower setting they would be neat.
Last edited by CarolineScott Mar 21, 2014 11:05 AM Icon for preview
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Mar 21, 2014 11:13 AM CST
Name: Claud
Water Valley, Ms (Zone 7b)
Charter ATP Member
Thanks, Caroline. I'm planting 4 varieties, 2 on the ground with my squash and 2 other varieties with my cucumbers on a 6' vegetable trellis hoping they will climb it.



(Corrected to avoid confusion)
Last edited by saltmarsh Mar 21, 2014 11:14 PM Icon for preview
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Mar 21, 2014 6:50 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Well petunias don't really climb.
Last year I did climbing and vining petunias.
They need to be encouraged to grow against a trellis.
I used tomatoe clips to hold them onto the trellis.

What is the idea for them to help with insects? They are sticky and so trap insects?
The modern petunias have the stickiness bred out of them.
This is a good reason for saving the older varieties!
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Mar 21, 2014 11:11 PM CST
Name: Claud
Water Valley, Ms (Zone 7b)
Charter ATP Member
I'm sorry, I said tomatoes (I'll correct my post above before I confuse others.), but I meant to say I'm planting the petunias with my squash and cucumbers. 'Fire Chief' and 'Rainmaster' will be planted on the ground with my 'Early Prolific Straightneck' squash and 'Old-Fashioned Climbing' and 'Balcony Petunia' will be clipped to the trellis with the cucumbers ('Boston Pickling' from A.P. Whaley, 'Beth Alpha' and 'Picollo di Parigi' from Franchi Seeds). Again, sorry for the confusion. Claud

From Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...

Flower____Latin name________ Helps__________________________________________________Repels/Distracts_________________________________________Comments
Petunia__Petunia x hybrida__cucurbits (squash, pumpkins, cucumbers), asparagus__leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, aphids, asparagus beetle___A trap crop, attracting pests away from squash, pumpkins
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________and cucumbers


'Fire Chief'
http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi...

Thumb of 2014-03-22/saltmarsh/858733

'Rainmaster'
http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi...

Thumb of 2014-03-22/saltmarsh/22a1da

'Old-Fashioned Climbing'
http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi...

Thumb of 2014-03-22/saltmarsh/ceae67

'Balcony Petunia'
http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi...

Thumb of 2014-03-22/saltmarsh/d33ca5

Cucumber, 'Beth Alpha'
http://www.growitalian.com/cuc...

Thumb of 2014-03-22/saltmarsh/4a2a34

Cucumber, 'Picollo di Parigi'
http://www.growitalian.com/cuc...

Thumb of 2014-03-22/saltmarsh/356913
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Mar 22, 2014 6:41 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
So now I know how petunias can be used as a trap crop with cucumbers and squash.
I don't know that we have the same insects, but that is good to know.
I only do a few veges for my own use, but I will be planting a petunia or two with them.
Thanks for sharing the information.
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Jul 30, 2015 9:02 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Firechief Petunia is a good clear red this year.
Thumb of 2015-07-30/CarolineScott/fa2592
Last edited by CarolineScott Jul 30, 2015 9:03 AM Icon for preview
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Jul 30, 2015 9:16 AM CST
Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt
Beekeeper Bee Lover Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Cottage Gardener Herbs Wild Plant Hunter
Hummingbirder Butterflies Birds Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Organic Gardener Vegetable Grower
Thumbs up

a very nice red
..a balanced life is worth pursuit.
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