Petunia wilts: what to do, what to do if the leaves are crowded, why does this happen with a flower growing in a pot?

For many flower lovers, petunia is a favorite among flowers. She has a bright and long flowering. This unpretentious plant with a pleasant fresh aroma will give odds to many flowers.

However, petunia is often exposed to various diseases. One of them is causeless wilting.

What to do? Why is this happening? How to care to avoid the death of a flower? How to prevent the disease of petunias - we will talk below.

Growth Features

The appearance of the petunia is as follows: a branched stem ending in cone-shaped inflorescences. The color of inflorescences can be either monophonic (white, lilac, purple, etc.), or speckled. Petunia is classified as nightshade, has a stem of 10 cm. The peak of flowering is late spring - the beginning of autumn.

On a note. Certain plant species can bloom before the first frost.

There are many types of petunias, however, two main ones can be distinguished - indoor and outdoor. The street is planted mainly along the curb, in the alleys, suspended in baskets on the walls of houses. The room grows in pots.

Petunia is a very unpretentious flower, therefore, special care for it is not required. The only thing that this flower does not tolerate is a strong bay of soil in which it grows. It is best to plant petunia in sunny places, since the flower is very drought tolerant.

If you want to receive a magnificent bush - then it is best to plant by seedling method. You can buy it at any store or sow the seeds in small glasses yourself. The optimal period for planting petunias is mid-March. But it is best to follow the instructions on a pack with seeds when planting.

Why do leaves fade?

Often you can notice this problem: the plant begins to fade for no good reason, the leaves of the petunia lighten and shrink, the stem begins to slope to the ground. However, no pests are observed on the stems and leaves. What happens to your darling?

The first and most important reason for wilting is fusarium infection. Fusariosis is a fungal disease. Its danger lies in the fact that in the early stages of the disease of a plant it is almost impossible to diagnose fusarium. The fungus first affects the root of the petunia and gradually moves up the stem to the leaves and the inflorescence itself.
The root of the plant gradually rots, the stem becomes thinner and acquires a yellowish tint. In this case, saving the flower is almost impossible. Fusariosis initially affects the root system, so petunia ceases to receive nutrients from the soil.
The second reason is the lack of sunlight. Petunia is a very photophilous flower, so you should consider this when planting. If petunia grows at room conditions, then try rearranging it to a more sunny place and observe for several days.
Important! In the summer, from 12 noon to 16 hours, it is best to slightly shade the petunia, as direct sunlight can cause a thermal burn.
A third reason concerns flowers growing in hanging pots. Wilting may be caused by drying out of the soil. Water the flower and place it briefly on a tray of water. These measures will be enough.
Fourth - excessive watering. It is important not to overdo it with watering, as this can cause decay of the roots of the petunia. Watering is worth every 4 days, in a particularly hot period (July-August) once every three days.

Now you know why petunia leaves in a pot wilt.

What to do?

Very often, you can notice that the petunia itself is blooming, the stem is normal, but the leaves begin to fade. Why is this happening? The main reason is the unregulated regime of watering the flower.

Check the soil in which petunia grows. If the earth easily moves away from the walls of the pot, then the plant needs urgent watering. You can place the pot with petunia in a container of water for 2/3 minutes for 30-40. This time will be enough so that the soil is saturated with water. After soaking, remove the container with petunia and place it away from direct sunlight.

Also, a large amount of peat in the substrate may be the reason for the drying of the soil. Peat does not retain moisture at all. In this case, simply replace the soil in the pot.

Often the cause of drying out is large drainage holes in the pot. It is recommended to replace the pot.

Now consider the reasons associated with an excess of moisture. If you notice that the soil remains wet for a long time after irrigation, and there is water in the pan, then it is better to drain the water and wait for the soil to dry completely. Often from excessive watering, mold may form in the pot, in this case it is urgent to replace the earth, and let the flower dry thoroughly, if signs of rotting of the root system are detected, eliminate the affected areas.

If signs of mold are detected, transplant the petunia into new soil.having previously treated the pot with boiling water, and treat the soil with a fungicide.

Reference. Do not forget that too cold water for irrigation, the presence of a flower in the drafts, the leaves can also fade. Therefore, it is best to use room temperature water.

Now you know what to do if the flower withers.

Preventative measures

Observe temperature and watering conditions.
Do not fill the flower too much, spray it. And at the same time, avoid drying out the petunias.
If fusarium is the cause of wilting, we recommend using pre-treated seeds with antifungal agents for planting.
If the plant is infected, then it should be disposed of with the soil, and the container itself should be treated with disinfectants.
Use fungicide treated soil for planting.
It is best to buy seeds and soil in specialized stores.

If you want petunia to always please you with its beauty and aroma, then follow the simple conditions of its maintenance. Spend preventive maintenance of the plant and then the beauty will delight you for a long time.