Petunia Daddy Blue Seedling Tray

For best results with Daddy Blue, plant one seedling per 4-inch container or three per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.3, EC of 1.0-1.5 mS/cm, temperatures of 62-72 daytime and 55-65 nighttime, and light feed (100-175 ppm N). This plant is most successfully grown in cool temperatures with high light and moderately dry soil. Provide daylight extension to 14 hours at 5,000-8,000 fc. This plant responds to daminozide if needed and doesn't require pinching. You may see thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, and shore flies. Root rot and botrytis can occur, especially in partial shade or on cool, humid days.

Blue flowers bloom from spring to late summer.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. We recommend spacing 4-inch pots 8" apart and 10-inch baskets 24" apart. 

Cool temperatures, moderately dry soil, and high light intensity are the best way to control growth. This variety will respond to Daminozide at 2,500-3,500 ppm if needed.

Scout for thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, and shore flies as part of your Integrated Pest Management program. 

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.

Thrips are tiny insects that eat plant tissue and can transmit viruses. Watch for silvery-white streaks or black spots on foliage and distorted growth. Use natural predators (like predatory mites), insecticidal soap, neem oil, and sticky traps to control infestations and prevent spread.

Fungus Gnats are small, dark flies that lay eggs in damp soil where larvae feed on plant roots, causing damage and death. Watch for adult gnats flying around the plants and check for larvae in the soil. Prevent infestations by allowing the soil to dry between waterings and controlling humidity in the greenhouse. Fungus Gnats thrive in moist conditions. Catch adult gnats with sticky traps to prevent them from laying eggs. Use beneficial nematodes or apply Bacillus thuringiensis.

Shore Flies are small black flies attracted to algae and organic matter. Watch for adult flies around plants and larvae in the soil. Sanitize surfaces and prevent algae growth in your greenhouse. Remove any extraneous organic matter, use sticky traps to catch adult flies, and use beneficial nematodes to kill larvae.

Petunias aren't prone to disease, but Botrytis can develop in short days, low light, or high humidity. Prevent fungal infection and root rot by practicing good sanitation in your greenhouse, watering at the base of each plant and allowing the soil to dry between waterings, and providing good airflow in your greenhouse. Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base of each plant.

Botrytis is a common fungal disease that causes brown spots on stems, leaves, and flowers. Remove and destroy affected plants, maintain appropriate humidity levels, and apply fungicides with boscalid, fenhexamid, or iprodione to control the spread. Water plants in the morning and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

We recommend planting one rooted liner per 4-inch container or three per 10-inch container. Use a well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center or evenly spaced in the container.