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Buying petunias online

BA283BA283 Posts: 21
in Plants
Hi there

I'm planning on ordering some petunias online some point soon, to go into a container on my south-facing balcony so they can really trail down...can't wait! Should look good!


The slight snag I am running into is that a lot of websites seem to sell petunias as 'plug plants', meaning I need to grow them in small pots for a number of week before transplanting them into the container that I have in mind.

Is this the norm?  I was hoping to find a site that sells petunias 'ready-made' or at least large enough to go directly into container.  Is there such a site that exists?

Thank you

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I think if you only want a few you’d do better to go to a garden centre, Wyvale have some nice ones but they’re not ready yet as you can’t plant them out until end of May. That’s why there are only plugs available at the moment. You bring them on and plant out later. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Jersey Plants sell bedding plants in three sizes, the largest being "garden ready".
    SW Scotland
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    In my experience the "garden ready" ones are still pretty small compared to garden centre ones. I buy the plugs because it works out considerably cheaper but it is quite a lot of effort.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I still think that as the OP only wants plants for ‘a container’  she would be better off going out and buying them nearer the time. 
    You still can’t put garden ready ones out until May. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    Yes, I agree Lyn. I have a number of very large planters and pots so want lots of bedding and I also have two greenhouses in which to grow them on.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    If you want petunias to save the hassle of sowing seeds, I can 100% recommend these.  
    Gorgeous little plants all potted on now and growing well.
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079K1QSBN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    came like this

    now like this one week later.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BA283BA283 Posts: 21
    Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

    Lyn, the ones you got from Amazon, how long do you think it'll take before they grow long enough to develop 40cm trails?
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited March 2018
    They will be like the picture at the time they should, which is about June/July.
    they are only annuals which means they grow, flower set seed and die all in the first year.  A feed of Tomato food will help them on. 
    Remember theres 170 there. That takes up a lot of room after you’ve potted them on. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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