Re: New catalogs (Petunias)

In a message dated 1/1/99 5:16:47 PM Central Standard Time,
graham@grahamrice.com writes:

<< 
 Meum71@aol.com writes:
 >I hate petunias.
 
 Isn't this just a little sweeping? I'm not sure that the whole genus can be
 swept away in three words.. >>


OK i gave it some thought.....Hate is a little to strong...I do not stomp on
them when I see them.  I modify my expression of feelings to "Intensely
dislike,"
we all have plants we like and some that we do not like and Petunias are one
group of plants I do not like.  Maybe it's the smell. I just do not like
Petunias.
Sure they are great in terra cotta pots, and as a long blooming showy bedding
plants.  Their foliage I think is ugly...but they tend to bloom to much so you
can't see their foliage most of the time anyway. I relies there are 40 species
or more in this genus and maybe I might find a few I like but the grandiflora
types just do not do it for me.
 As a side note I do not like Primula's ether or Pelargoniums. there must be
something these three groups of plants have in common??

Here is so germination information on the three above groups of plants (to
make this post worth sending)

There are a lot of nice new Pelargoniums that can be raised from seed.  Plants
are broken down into 6 general groups including: Angle, Ivy-leaved, Zonal,
Unique, regal and Scented. (OK I like the scented group)
This group of plants is hardy to F 36 with a few of the scented types being
just a little more hardy. Pelargoniums are native to southern Africa. 
Seeds should be sown at 70-75F from late winter to early spring. germination
occurs in 7-10 days. Use as sterile a medium as you can find, space 1/4" apart
in rows 2" wide.  Just lightly cover the seeds. Around 6,000 SEEDS per ounce.
Germination is spread out over a few weeks, Transplant after the first full
set of leaves. Plant into well draining soiless mixes. They like it more on
the dry side than moist. 
All right here are the groups that are available from seed.
DYNAMO SERIES.	This F-1 hybrid has small deeply zoned leaves, plants are
compact and early blooming. Colors include: Deep Rose, Deep Scarlet, Rose,
Salmon, White.
ELITE SERIES. This group has large flower heads and compact habit and again
they are a Zonal type. Colors include" Cherry, Pink, Red, Salmon, Scarlet,
White (not as zoned as the others)
MAVERICK SERIES. This is a F-1 Hybrid too with Large flower heads around 5"
across. Said to be a great garden performer. Coral Pink, Red, Scarlet, Light
Salmon, Salmon, Star-a Pink and White bicolor, White, Violet.
MULTIBLOOM SERIES. F-1 hybrids with very early blooming and compact growth
with many flower heads and heavily zoned. all the normal colors plus Capri
(Coral-Rose), Lavender-pink, Scarlet with white eye.
ORBIT SERIES. F-1 hybrids with large early flowers on strong stems. that are
long making them great for cutting.  Most have deeply zoned foliage. There are
at least 17 colors. 
Others that can be raise from seed include PINTO SERIES, RINGO,
SUMMER SHOWERS. F-1 hybrid that is an ivy leaf geranium with early flowering
(15 weeks) Lots of flowers. comes in Burgundy, Pink, Rose and lavender,
Magenta and an off white.
TORNADO SERIES. This is a trailing Pelargonium with nice compact habit and
good branching. They are an ivy levied form in two colors: Lilac and White.

OK Now for the Petunias.
Smaller seeds that have 250,000-300,000 seeds per once, for best germination
maintain temps around 72F. cover lightly with vermiculite, seeds need light to
germinate well. Germination in 10 days. Doubles seem to like to grow out in
cooler temps than the others. 
Light and temptures effect bicolors with cool temps giving you less white.
Start seeds 8-10 weeks before planting out. After germination grow plants out
at F 60 to keep plants nice and compact.
this must be a popular group of plants, I have listed over 275 different types
from seeds available this year.

Boy the double flowering forms are Ugly....oops..sorry...just can't help my
self.
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