Why are my petunias so "Spindly"?

Question

Here is a link to some pics from my potted petunias. Although the season is almost over, they have had this "spindly" look all summer. Why are they like this? Too much sun? Heat? They are Waves, by the way.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/gur8/PICT0102.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/gur8/PICT0103.jpg

I live in Alberta Zone 3

Answer 1

The first thing you have to do is cut them back --- and I am not talking about cutting them to the soil or anything like that, but you are going to have to snip them off -- and that means you might have to sacrifice some flowers already there. Second, by the looks of the light green of the leaves (even with that lavender variety) your plants need a shot of Miracle Gro. Within a week new leaves and side branching should happen. I am also wondering if you have been "deadheading" your potted petunias -- snapping off the dead flowers so seed pods don't form. I sense that you have been watering your plants, and that is a good thing as petunias like two things: sun and water. I hope this helps you. I have always like that lavender color of petunia myself and think you have made a good choice there.

Answer 2

Pics Of Petunias

Answer 3

The answer to your problem is that you have too many plants in your container. One or two would fill the container and the roots will have plenty or room for the plants to thrive and grow their best. If the soil is kept moist, and the plants fed, and dead flowers removed they will keep blooming very well. They do not like heat or drought. If the temperature gets about 100 degrees, move the flowers to the shade. When it cools again, move them to the full sun. The flowers bloom at the ends of the stems. If you cut the ends, you cut off the flowers. So let the stems grow until they begin to show signs of stretching before you trim. Then leave them alone.

Answer 4

Petunias are more of a cooler weather seasonal plant. They dont like the heat of summer. Despending on where you live I would say you need to replant your containers with a summer type seasonal, or just wait for a fall seasonal which will be out soon.

Answer 5

To keep petunias from getting spindly, you need to pinch off the ends of the stems after the bloom dies; prune them back regularly and they'll be full and beautiful.

Answer 6

Petunias are heavy feeders. They need to be in a good potting soil each year and have fertilizer every two weeks, plus water about every other day.

Answer 7

wave Petunias are typically like that. If you plant them a little farther apart than regular petunias but not too far apart they should look pretty good.

Answer 8

i think the kind of Petunias you have described are Trailing Petunias. It is best to pinch them back and probably should have been done sooner but its still not to late. make sure that they are getting plenty of water but dont keep them constantly soaked, Goodluck!

Answer 9

Full or most of the day sun is necessary. It's also necessary to pinch the growing shoots, whenever they start getting leggy. You also should remove the dead flowers and pinch of the little section that is left behind when the petals fall off.

Answer 10

When you first plant them you must cut them back. This will m ake them thicker stemmed to start. As the season progresses you must cut them back again, and keep taking off the dead blooms. Mine look the same way this year and I decided I'm not planting them next year. too much work