Petunia is a genus of 20 species of of origin.
Taxonomy
Petunia is a genus in the family
Solanaceae, subfamily
Petunioideae. Well known members of Solanaceae in other subfamilies include tobacco (subfamily
Nicotianoideae), and the cape gooseberry,
tomato,
potato, deadly nightshade and
Capsicum (subfamily
Solanoideae).
[“Classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Family Solanaceae”. Natural Resources Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009. Web. July 8, 2009. [1]] Some botanists place the plants of the genus
Calibrachoa in the genus
Petunia,
[ but this is not accepted by others.][ The Plant List: Petunia][ The Value of Growing Petchoa SuperCal®. Ornamental News Oct 25 2012]
Species
Species include:
Ecology
Petunias are generally insect pollinated, with the exception of Petunia exserta, which is a rare, red-flowered, hummingbird-pollinated species. Most petunias are diploid with 14 and are interfertile with other petunia species,[Griesbach, R.J.(2007) in Flower breeding and genetics: Issues, challenges and opportunities for the 21st century, Petunia, ed Anderson N.O. (Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands), pp 301–336.] as well as with Calibrachoa.
The tubular flowers are favoured by some Lepidoptera species, including the Hummingbird hawk moth.[ Butterfly Conservation]
Cultivation
Petunias can tolerate relatively harsh conditions and hot climates, but not frost. They need at least five hours of sunlight every day and flourish in moist soil and conditions of low atmospheric humidity. They are best grown from seed. Watering once a week should be sufficient in most regions. Hanging baskets and other containers need more frequent watering.[Brown, Deborah. “Growing Petunias” University of Minnesota Extension Office. University of Minnesota. 2009. Web. 25 June 2009. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1120.html ] Maximum growth occurs in late spring. Applying fertilizer monthly or weekly, depending on the variety, will help the plant grow quickly.
AGM cultivars
The following is a selection of cultivars which have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
-
= 'Conblue'
-
= 'Conglow'
-
= 'Constraw'
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= 'Kleph15313'
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'Storm Lavender'
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'Storm Pink'
-
'Storm Salmon'
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= 'Suntosol'
-
= 'Sunpurple'
-
= 'Kerpril'
Uses
Many species other than Petunia × atkinsiana are also gaining popularity in the home garden.
Genetically engineered bioluminescent Petunia hybrida was approved for sales by USDA in 2023.
Symbolism and folklore
The Maya peoples and Inca society believed that the scent of petunias had the power to ward off underworld monsters and spirits. Their flower-buds were bunched together for magical drinks.
==Gallery==
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created with genetic modification]]
External links
