How to Repot Petunias

Petunias grow and bloom profusely when given enough room.

Petunias, with their trumpetlike flowers in colors from the darkest purples to pinks to white and even striped varieties can find a home in any landscape, though their trailing nature makes the annual plants perfectly suited for containers and baskets. Petunias can spread rapidly, quickly outgrowing the pot you purchased them in and needing a new basket or container. Choose a new container that will hold your petunia for the rest of the season so that you don't have to repot it more than once.

Things You'll Need

• Plant pot or container
• Potting soil
• Watering can
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Wash the pot in which you are replanting the petunia in hot, soapy water. Rinse it well.

2. Turn the pot holding the petunia over in your hand gently so the flower and stem of the petunia rest between your thumb and forefinger.

3. Squeeze the pot gently to release the dirt from the sides. As you are squeezing, pull the whole plant out of the pot with as much soil still around the roots as possible.

4. Place the petunia and its root ball into the new pot.

5. Fill around the plant's roots with new soil until the pot is filled.

6. Water the petunia deeply to encourage root growth in the new pot. If you have not fertilized the plant recently, consider fertilizing with a liquid plant fertilizer or all-purpose, 10-10-10 nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizer.

References

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension; Petunia; Karen Russ, et. al; March, 1999
• Mississippi State University Extension; Petunias Earn First Place in Containers; Norman Winter