This is a relatively recent addition to the Petunia range and is generally treated as a half hardy perennial in the UK.
They are quite tolerant to wind & rain and provided they are deadheaded regularly, they will flower until the onset of frost, after which, they should be lifted, potted up, and placed under the greenhouse bench for the winter.
Note; Surfinia © is a registered trademark, and as such 'propagation' is technically illegal, however it is generally assumed that one can propagate plants for their own use.
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Surfinias are suited to hanging baskets and patio containers because of their cascading habit.
Feed weekly and regularly deadhead faded flowers.
To encourage bushier growth; at the time of planting, pinch out the growing tip just above a leaf joint, aiming to leave 2-3 pairs of leaves if possible.
If growing from purchased 'plug plants' it is often worth while if the plants are large enough, to pinch out the growing tip and reroot it/them in a propagator to increase stock.(see method below)
If planting in containers one plant should be sufficient for containers up to 200mm (8") diameter, larger containers may require 3-5 plants.
As with most other Petunia, they require a light well drained soil in a sheltered sunny spot.
Cultivation;
Week 6>; Water over wintered plants and place in a warm spot, circa 13°C (55°F) to encourage new growth.
Week 7; Sow seed in pots/trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 21 °C (70°F).
Germination should take around a week.
Week 12; When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out into 70mm pots of potting compost.
Gradually harden the plants off by subjecting them to cooler conditions until planting out time in May, or when all fear of late frosts has past.
Note; Surfinias; (as mentioned above) are produced from cuttings under copyright, and seeds can not be purchased commercially.
However by saving seed after flowering, one can sometimes get reasonable success
Note; plants may not come true to variety.
Week 13; Take 50-75mmmm (2"-3") long tip cuttings.
Cut the stem under a leaf node, and remove the lower leaves to expose approx 25-50mm (1"-2") of stem.
Dip the stem in a rooting powder/liquid, and insert in to pots/trays containing a 50-50 peat* and sand mixture.
*Multi-purpose compost can be used in lieu of peat & sand.
Maintain a minimum temperature of 10°-13°C(50°-55°F) when rooting the cuttings, a little bottom heat can be a distinct advantage at this stage.
Rooting should take place in about 10-14 days.
Week 15; When rooted, pot on into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and gradually harden the plants off by subjecting them to cooler conditions,(circa 13°C (50°F),
Growing in too warm conditions will result in soft ‘leggy’ growth.
Grow on until planting out time in May, or when all fear of late frosts has past.
Keep the compost fairly moist, but not waterlogged.
Yellowing of the leaves during the early growing stages is probably due to the plants drying out.
Avoid getting the foliage wet for prolonged periods particularly overnight!
This practice should prevent Botrytis and Mildew diseases forming.
