My most favorite annual that I seed every year is petunias. I'm not diligent with deadheading, so I stick with the free flowering trailing varieties like the Waves. Since I love the window baskets and containers overflowing with flowers, these work well for me. I usually buy pelleted seeds since petunia seeds are like dust particles.
I start them a the beginning of March, indoors, under lights. Stokes recommends Jiffy Mix. I recommend Premier Pro-mix BX professional soil mix
The Stokes Seeds Instructions are the BEST!
"CULTURE: We use pure Jiffy Mix in our seedling flats, rather than soil mixtures - for better germination. Fill the flat to within 1/4 in/6 mm. from the top and firm (especially the corners), so you don't get erosion when watering. Soak the seed flat thoroughly before sowing, with luke warm water (70ºF/21ºC) and a good fungicide to prevent disease. Mark the rows 2 in/5 cm apart, and 1/8 in/3 mm deep, 1/2 in/13 mm wide - with the edge of a label or a marking board. If you are sowing several different colors in the same flat - it might be a good idea to place a piece of cardboard across the flat on both sides of the row that you are sowing - to prevent mixtures. Broadcast the seed as thinly as possible in each row. Press the seed firmly into the surface. We do not usually cover with soil - as some colors are light responsive. If you believe in covering the seed - use coarse vermiculite - it retains moisture and allows enough light for proper germination. To conserve moisture, cover seed flats with plastic, glass or paper. For ideal germination soil temp. must be 80º F/27º C (air temp. of 86ºF/30º C days and 65º F/l 8ºC nights). The soil temp. must not drop below 70º F/21ºC. Use bottom heat if possible. Seed will germinate according to color (pinks, blues and whites first - reds last) in 5 - 1 0 days. Do not use cold water- it lowers the soil temp. and weakens tender seedlings. Uncover your seed bed at the first signs of germination, to prevent tall weak seedlings. Grow seedlings cool at 65?F/l8?C. Transplant 4 to 5 weeks after seeding, 1 - 1 1/2 in./3 - 4 cm. apart, and at the same depth as they were when in the seed flat. Grow at 55 - 60ºF/l 3 - 1 6 ºC. for stocky plants."
