Expert: Long Island Gardener - 11/12/2009

Question
in which month we need a fertilizer for petunia

Answer
SO glad you asked, Jaspreet.

Let's repeat it for the class -- to make sure EVERYONE heard this question.

Once again: WHEN do you fertilize Petunias? What month? What time of year? When in the life cycle?

Answer: NEVER!

That's right, friends. Never.

Here's why.

1. Fertilizer is a waste of money at best, unhealthy junk food at worst.  Most soil has everything you need to grow big, beautiful plants.  That's right.  You don't need to fertilize.

And if you have no soil, and you want to grow Petunias, then you still don't need fertilizer.  You need dirt.

2. Fact: Petunias are NOT heavy feeders. They are extremely low maintenance. These are delightfully brilliant flowers that are also low-maintenance marvels. Want to show them you care? Pinch off the finishing or finished blooms with your thumbnail. Snip the top inch or two off to encourage branching. Water when needed. That's all, folks!

Jaspreet, I don't know where you're writing from -- you could live down the block from me on Long Island, in New York, USA, or you could be on the other side of the globe right now somewhere near China, or you could be in England. No matter where you are, your Petunias are still easy to grow, simple to care for, and beautiful.

What they do need, and this is not something that you can cut corners on: Sun.

They NEED those beams of light shooting straight into their chloroplasts.  Not surprising. After all, look at how little those leaves are.  There is no way to make up for that.  And the more sun they get, the bigger, beautifuller, and floriferouser they will be.  Let there be light, Jaspreet, and you will make your Petunias very, very happy.

Fertilizer?  Never.

Peace,

L.I.G.