Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/7/2007

Question
I have a large pot of petunias that I bought last month.  I think it dried out too much and all of the (hundreds of) blooms died off. I have drenched it and pulled out some dead stems and branches and the blooms and fertilized it.  How do I get it to rebloom?  Should I trim back the branches?  The plant itself seems very healthy.

Answer
Michelle,
You can do two things: First, cut the stems back by about half.  You can cut some back a bit more than that, so that they're short, and some a bit longer if you want.  They should regrow below the cut and start to bloom in about 2 or 3 weeks.  Fertilize again in 3 weeks - but only fertilize after watering the plant well - never fertlize a thirsty plant!

Also, you can root the ends that you cut off if you want - cut the end so that it's about 6 to 8 inches long, and remove the leaves on the bottom 2/3 of the stem.  Coat the bottom of the stem with rooting hormone (available at garden centers) about 4" up the stem, and place the bottom 3" in moist NEW potting soil.  Keep the pots watered and don't put them in direct sun - in the shade outside is fine.  they should root in about two weeks, and will start to grow.  Once they start to grow, pinch the very end off the branch which will make it produce more stems and be thicker and bushy.  Fertlize after you pinch.  You can use these for late-summer and fall color.

all the best,
C.L.