Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/5/2009

Question
I live in Michigan. My supertunia priscilla in a hanging basket is not making many blooms.  The blooms begin but dry up on the stem before they can open.  I have it hanging on a shepherd's hook in the flower garden where it gets morning and some afternoon sun. I use 1/4th teasp. Miracle Grow per gallon of water to water it.  Thank you for anadvice you can give me.

Answer
Janet,
First of all, I would stop fertilizing when you water. I know that the directions tell you to do this, but you should never fertilize a thirsty plant. Better to water first, let the plant get well hydrated, and then fertilize after a few hours have gone by. Easier still is to put a tablespoon or so of time-release fertilizer on the plant and let that do the job. Proven Winners makes a time release as does Osmocote.

Secondly, know that petunias only produce flowers at the end of their stems. So to keep them flower-filled, prune those stems back regularly. I'd cut two or three stems back to 6 inches tall each week. Yes, you'll be cutting some of the flowers off as you trim back those stems, but each stem you cut back will branch into two stems and make flowers at the end of them. Do this all summer to keep the basket blooming.

Finally, be sure that the basket is indeed getting sun in the afternoon. You want the sun to be on that plant from at least 9 AM to 1 PM or longer. If the sun does not hit that basket through the noon hour and at least an hour beyond, you don't have enough sun for that petunia.

I hope this helps,
C.L.