Petunia (or alternatives) - supermarket variety or branded? Any difference?

squirral87k4-WvGwT

Hi all,

I would like to plant some petunias for hanging baskets (to cascade down). I haven’t tried this before. 

Is it worth spending more on the branded ones (eg supertunia or surfinia) or will a much cheaper supermarket version do the same job?

It doesn’t have to be petunias, any small flower that cascades is fine. The lower the maintenance the better.

thanks 

herbaceous

I would say that depends on the SM and/or the plant supplier.  One of the many frustrations of being under 'house arrest' for over a year is not being able to assess quality before purchase.

I tend to use calibrachoa (Million Bells) and am awaiting (with some trepidation) their delivery, I guess you pays your money and you takes your chance. Hope you manage to win this one   

Pete.8

Many petunias need regular deadheading which can be a real pain.
The Tidal petunias do not need deadheading and nor do Calibrachoa.
I usually grow the latter - masses of blooms and the dead flowers drop off by themselves

Busy-Lizzie

Trailing petunias hang down much better than ordinary petunias so surfinias are better, but you can get trailing petunias too, not sure about from supermarkets, theirs tend to be the ordinary ones.

Petunias are cheaper because you can grow them from seed but surfinias are sterile and are grown from cuttings.

I have grown lots from seed over the years, need a greenhouse, but ordinary ones were easy and loads of seeds in the packets, trailing ones didn't always germinate and there are only a few seeds in the packet.

I never deadhead and they all grew well.

BenCotto

The problem with supermarket bedding plants, in my view, is that they often come in a riotous hotch-potch of colours. Clearly that appeals to the mass market but I prefer to work with a more restrained palette.

amancalledgeorge

I find calibrachoas much more pleasing usually used in pots with either/or lysimachia, lobelias, white frost euphorbia and allysum with a canna thriller . Tend to get mine from a nearby nursery who do great annuals. Have you had a look for any independent nurseries nearby? They'll usually be much less busy than garden centres as they don't have cafes and all the other rubbish, just plants. 

squirral87k4-WvGwT

Thank you all for the useful tips and pointers

@amancalledgeorge  and @Pete.8  - I’ll look into calibrachoas.

@BuzzyLizzie unfortunately growing from seed isn’t a viable option. No greenhouse and my work desk is already occupied with pots of ‘cup and saucer’ and ‘purple vine bell’ seedlings!

Fire

Tidal is a great series and, I have found, very reliable. If you want pet's that trail, make sure you choose those particular types - lobelias too - otherwise they will grow upwards.

B3

I find supermarket petunias tend to be Barbie pink or bi coloured. I don't like either.

squirral87k4-WvGwT

Pete.8 said:

Many petunias need regular deadheading which can be a real pain.
The Tidal petunias do not need deadheading and nor do Calibrachoa.
I usually grow the latter - masses of blooms and the dead flowers drop off by themselves

I bought some calibrachoa plants today! How many would you recommend for a 35cm/14inch hanging basket? I was thinking 4? I’d like it to trail over and ideally cover the basket itself. 

I’m not sure if there are trailing varieties, mine are not labelled as trailing. 

Thanks 

Pete.8

I think all calibrachoa trail.
I'd go for 4 or 5 but not putting one at the back if it won't be seen
I think you might need something in there for some height too