Re: Side Note on Petunias

In a message dated 11/26/02 11:53:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
tangly@pacifier.com writes:


> I generally dislike petunias, but this year I tried some called "Tidal Wave"
> and they were gorgeous...bloomed all summer (here in the PacNW) in shades,
> from one six pack, of silvery grey to lavender.  I only tried the one six
> pack to humour the local nursery owner, who was trying to get me to try 
> them
> even though I don't like petunias...Next year I will definitely plant more.
> I loved the subtlety of the colours.

I don't think I have ever really disliked petunias except the huge ruffled 
kind that always lay flat from overweight.  They are not too popular anymore 
because they have an explosion of bloom and then are a mass of seedpods which 
need care or shearing for a second bloom not always successful in short 
season areas.  But I must agree, for sure, with Skyler on the Wave petunias.

I have not tried 'Tidal Wave' but love ( without chic or taste, I know ) 
'Purple Wave' which is really screaming magenta.  I also like the pink and 
lilac forms but do not find them as vigorous, nor do they produce as many 
flowers.  If the magenta idea is still verboten on your garden scene, there 
is a new one to try called 'Blue Wave' described as "a purplish blue" 
"particularly velvety texture."

They are retailed around here in six inch pots which are pink or purple to 
match the flowers.  They are quite reasonable in cost in good sized pots, I 
have not seen the 'Blue Wave' for sale in NY.

Pinetree Garden Seeds of Maine carry all of the Wave petunias in small 
quantities of pelleted seed.  You do not need to buy a lot of seed, 10 seeds 
for 2.75 with seed shipping being fairly low cost.  T & M is always around 
6.00 or 7.00 at not a lot of seed either.  I thought I would order the 'Blue 
Wave' this year.  All make superb container plants, fountains of all season 
bloom trailing down the sides of pots.  If you want to shear these plants for 
more compact growth, I find they recover in about two weeks.  If you start 
plants indoors early, you will find they are spidery in growth with stems 
extending in every direction.  The stems about four to six inches long can be 
rooted easily and quickly and a second crop is had from a few pots of seeds.  
Also withstand a bit of frost if the temperature cools down slowly.

Pinetree specializes in small packets for very small prices.  Often you do 
not want or need hundreds of plants.  Re: the past discussion of Papaver 
somniferum, Pinetree is carrying this species under it's correct name at 
around 95 cents.

This is a funny mix of vegetables from all places, books, herbs, bulbs and 
other things.  It is also very reliable, shipping quite early in the spring 
for indoor planting which is needed in zone 4.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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