The ‘Petunia Easy Wave Burgundy Star’ is a popular choice for gardeners, known for its distinctive appearance and robust growth. Part of the ‘Easy Wave’ series, it features rich burgundy flowers with a striking white star pattern radiating from the center. Its vigorous, spreading nature makes it suitable for various garden applications. It thrives in both heat and cooler conditions, blooming consistently throughout the season.
Planting Easy Wave Burgundy Star
Planting ‘Petunia Easy Wave Burgundy Star’ begins with site selection and soil preparation. These petunias flourish in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for best blooming. While they can tolerate partial shade, ample light leads to optimal flowering.
The soil should be well-drained and fertile, rich in organic matter like peat moss or compost. Good drainage prevents waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0 to 7.0) is preferred for ‘Easy Wave’ petunias.
When planting, plant at original pot depth. For garden beds, space plants 12 to 24 inches apart, allowing for their spreading habit (2.5 to 3 feet wide). For containers or hanging baskets, three plants are sufficient for a 10-12 inch round container. After planting, water thoroughly to settle soil around roots.
Ongoing Care for Vibrant Blooms
Consistent moisture is important for continuous blooming. While ground plants may need watering every 7-10 days during dry periods, container petunias often require daily watering, especially in hot weather. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; check if the top inch or two feels dry before watering. Watering at the base helps prevent foliage diseases.
Vigorous and heavy feeders, these petunias require regular fertilization for abundant flowering. Apply an all-purpose liquid fertilizer every 7 to 14 days, especially for container plants, which leach nutrients more quickly. Time-release fertilizer can be used at planting, supplemented with liquid feeds.
While ‘Easy Wave’ petunias are often self-cleaning and don’t strictly require deadheading, removing spent blooms encourages more flowers and a tidier appearance. Pinching off old blooms redirects energy towards new growth and flowers instead of seed development. Light pruning is also beneficial if plants become leggy or less dense. Cutting back stems by about half in mid-summer stimulates bushier growth and a fresh flush of blooms.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with proper care, common issues can arise. Pests like aphids and whiteflies may appear, often on new growth and leaf undersides. Aphids can cause leaves to curl, stunt, or yellow, and a sticky residue may signal their presence. A strong water spray can dislodge aphids; for persistent infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Fungal diseases like root rot and powdery mildew are linked to environmental conditions. Root rot results from overwatering or poorly draining soil, causing wilting leaves even when the soil is wet. Proper drainage and allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings prevent this. Powdery mildew, appearing as white, powdery growth on leaves, thrives in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Manage it by improving airflow around plants and, if needed, with fungicides.
Leggy growth (long, sparse stems with fewer flowers) occurs if plants lack sufficient sunlight or nutrients. Six hours of direct sun and consistent fertilization mitigate this. Reduced blooming is a symptom of insufficient light, inadequate fertilization, or excessive nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth over flowers. Adjusting light and using a balanced fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium encourages prolific flowering.