Growing Tidal Wave Series Petunia Garden Seeds

For earliest blooming, begin Tidal Wave Series petunia seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the final frost and transplant once there are two sets of true leaves. Tidal Wave Series seeds will germinate within 14 days with full lighting. If transplanting outside, harden off seedlings into a partially shaded spot in the garden, or an equally moderate place indoors. Tidal Wave petunias can vine if given a trellis or early support, otherwise, plants will mound and spread out horizontally rather than vertically. Tidal Wave petunias have a varying growth habit dependent on staking. With trellis support, plants will climb 24-36 inches tall with a 12 inch width. Without trellis or support, plants will mature into 16-24 inch tall spreading mounds with a 30-48 inch wide reach of classic mini 2 inch blooms. Plant 2-3 Tidal Wave Series petunia seeds 12-36 inches apart (depending on desired growth habit) in average, medium moist, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting foliage as Tidal Wave Series petunia seeds are susceptible to fungal and leaf diseases and gray mold if not properly ventilated. Plants are known to be susceptible to blight and tobacco mosaic virus, since Petunia x hybrida is closely related to the tobacco plant. Petunias have no serious pests, but monitor regularly for aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails. Tidal Wave Series seeds mature in 98-105 days and can be shaped and fined as they grow depending on the needs of your home, garden, and grow spaces.

Tidal Wave petunias debuted as both the 2002 All-American Selections (AAS) Flower Winner and 2001 Fleuroselect Novelty Winner because, as noted by AAS judges, "unlike other petunias, gardeners can decide the height of the mature plant." Fleuroselect judges have noted the Tidal Wave petunia as an "excellent landscape performer with terrific Botrytis tolerance and quick recovery from rain." Second only to impatiens in annual bedding plant sales, the petunia has been a popular plant for many years due in large part to its ease of culture and non-stop flowering from spring to frost. Petunia is a genus of 20 species native to South America and the genus is loosely derived from an old Guarani word meaning "tobacco" since the two plants are both in the nightshade family.