Looks Like Petunias For Awhile

Yea, I know what I said a few days ago..."why bother." A combination of horrible weather and a case of the black ass led me to those comments. But I thought, I have to do something for my daughter in law Beverly who will be visiting with family May 22 to May 26 or 27. They have a wedding to attend in Helen, Georgia that weekend. Should be a fun four days with the kids.

I never thought they would have time to visit for several reasons. Btw, son Ryan has made a career change. For his sake I hope he sticks with it because it's not easy as time goes on finding good employment. Maybe he can excel at sales eventually here. Or management? Who knows. It's a company that has apparently grown through the tough times in Florida the past several years. Looks like they have a good niche.

About Petunias

They do pretty good around here until July or so, but it's more of a hit and miss with what has a lot to do with the soil used. Mentioned last year, it's the clay they seem to thrive in, so forget that Miracle Grow stuff. Remember the picture below? July 2009. All clay, barely anything else except maybe some leeching from the cement used in the stone wall.

So, Lowes had a six pack buy on Waves for about six bucks...only pink. Probably won't look like the above until mid June, but a start below. Those smaller azaleas that bloom in late May have really done well after pruning a few times last year. Nice and bushy! Should be bursting with color.

I'm not going to touch any Impatiens until the second week of May or so. Probably head up to the  MacCaysville greenhouse and pick some up. They usually have some sizable annuals for cheap because of their growing conditions. Will they last? Probably not, but I'm just hoping for color while Bev is here.

A few more Petunias (mounding) in clay once again. I hope these will show well in six weeks. I've also picked up some six pack whatchacallits. That name I can never remember...snap dragons. Both plants will do okay if there's another frost before summer (likely- average last frost date around 4/22)

Should have some good Azalea color in a few weeks. Most everything around here is about two weeks behind last year judging by photo comparisons. Six azalea in this picture. About 20 total on property. Looking to pick up a half dozen more or maybe something that blooms in mid summer. Tree City in Blue Ridge - great source. Had to get water heater replaced - lattice missing.

Petunias On A Hill Part 4

Previous Entries

Part I
Part II
Part III

It's becoming obvious what these trailing Petunias like when watching how they grow in certain areas. The most abundant growth shows on the ledge atop a small wall along the driveway. A good potion of that soil is thick Georgian clay transported from half way up the driveway. I actually thought it would be the worst growing soil, but it was mixed in with new composted mulch. I think it has more to do with the absorption qualities of the clay.

This is also the only area where none were cut back, so they have had a chance to grow. It's also an area that has not been fertilized. The ones on the bank aren't doing so well, but they were cut back. I do have some on the other side, almost out of view that are doing better. See below.

I do have some annual Verbena and white Angelonia in the boxed areas, but it seems they are slow going. My feeling is the soil is loose and loses water too quickly. But the past three weeks all areas have received lot's of water. Two inches of rain and another two or three from the sprinkler system. As hot as it gets in this spot it does need quite a bit of attention, or so it seems.

Moving down the driveway it's much like the upper bank. Slow going after a haircut two weeks ago. Oh well, these little buggers last into November so there's still plenty of time.

Looking at the other side of the driveway, no fertilizer or cutting back except for the Angelonia that is beginning to thrive. Some folks say they like neglect  and dry conditions, but not around here. My best example of that are the two wine barrels I have with the soil always staying moist.  One shown below.

Quinns Greenhouse. McCaysville GA

I've been to this place three times now. Quite a change from all the big box stores with prices being  comparable. Although it's a 70 mile round trip there's more selection and the plants are healthier. Nice drive too, especially the lil town of McCaysville that runs along the Toccoa River in and out of Tennessee.

I've been trying to find perennial Lantana for some time, or maybe this time around the price and appearance looked good. They offer several types but I only saw two. The perennial Miss Huff and a variegated leaf called Samantha with the latter being considered an annual. Who knows, maybe it will surprise me and make it till next year.

This stuff caught my attention. Maybe I'm getting artsy with what goes with what. After all, the first year I just wanted full blown color. Now other things are beginning to look interesting. Heck, I thought Petunias were kind of sissy back then too..and look now.

Look at these Begonias. Actually too big for me as I have trouble cutting them back (same with Impatiens) unless I want a skimpy plant the rest of the year. These things must have been one foot high. Many of the Impatiens were much the same.

Plenty of more stuff, but here's my take. A few variegated potato vines, some Nicotina, three colors of Salvia including an orange or salmon color. Not many of those left:( Four Lantana, some Dusty guys, Impatiens, and those blue thingies. All, annuals priced the same as shown with the Begonias above.

Petunias On A Hill Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

Coming along nicely with some ideas added to the plan, particularly the second leg of the trailing Petunia extravaganza. I thought a break in the mass might look different. Two small raised areas were constructed from 2 x 12" pressure treated lumber. The problem is what to put in there. I have petunias above and below the areas with some ornamental grass from seed here and there. A mass showing of white Angelonia? I need a place to stick some more. Let's not forget those Verbena I bought in six packs yesterday...all 36 of them.

Here's a different angle similar to the original.. before changes were made.

The first leg of the Petunia party near the house. The flowering ones were planted about nine days ago and survived a frost. Yes, they are thirsty lil critters..for now.

Going further up the driveway and past the second leg on the right are 5-6 Petunias each section (left of fence) along with two white Angelonias near every fence post. I also sprinkled some pink and white Cosmos near the posts as well. I know I'll be driving over Petunias all summer long. It should be a massive show considering I have access to water up and down the driveway now...AND as long as I DON'T GET HUNGRY CRITTERS!

Oh, and the centerpiece rock area. I've heard Vinca vines do well in full sun so I scavenged a few clumps of them from the other side of the house. Still not sure what else to do, although I did stick six or seven sun Coleus in there with some Saliva. I'm beginning to see a large surplus of  Coleus. I only wish I could have had a smaller quantity choice. Maybe they'll grow on the creek banks? Creeping Jenny does.

How Big Are Flower Plugs From North Carolina Farms?

Finally after several months drooling over the possibility of massive shows of color, my plug order arrived. Both Fed Ex and UPS always have trouble finding this place. At least Fed Ex calls. UPS? They just throw it anywhere at anyone's house, mailbox, on any freaking street.. Screw them anyway.

How Big? The picture tells the story. This is one trailing Petunia plug. Almost about the size one would get from six pack annuals at the local stores, but the root ball is much smaller.

What did I get into? My gosh. Take a look see. I'm tired just looking at them.

Incidentally. I'm not sure if it's been mentioned. The original order was changed somewhat because all white Petunias had some kind of disease and were thrown out by the grower. And...as much as I am not crazy about pink, they were sold out. So, I am left with a slight contrast problem as there are purple, red, and blue types. I had 'em throw in 100 white Angelonia, but how to arrange is an issue as there's quite a height difference. I'll dream something up.

Healthy looking buggers eh? They did look a bit tired from a two day ship time. So far I transferred (45 minutes) 40 to small cups and thought they were too small, but I'm not buying hundreds of 4" plastic pots. I'm thinking why bother with the Petunias. Grower admits 50 degree temps and lower at night are fine but will take longer.  I've moved smaller ones a few weeks ago that are doing just fine. Not being sure how far they hardened off the Angelonia and Coleus, they'll probably be kept safe for awhile in the larger greenhouse. Only problem is they're so crowded.

More later. I'm tired looking at them. Oh, yea. Here's a test spot for the Petunias. Temps may dip back into the low 30's early next week with another frost possibility.

Petunias On A Hill Part 2

Petunias On A Hill Part 1

Having increased the Petunia plug order another 100 to a total of 400, I had to scout out places for all these trailing Petunias. Consensus says plant each one 18-24 inches apart. Knowing how I like bushy or full color, I'm sure one can guess which number I'm looking at. My math. My math tells me it figures to be 36 plants every 100 square feet.

Hmmn. 400. But how many will not make it? 50? The first area mentioned previously looks to be around 230 square feet or 85 plants. A newly proposed area measuring 51 by ten feet totals 510 square feet or 180 plants. That leaves us with 85 considering 50 may not make it.

What's the new color? Pink. Huh? pink? I thought I didn't want any pink. Problem is the limited selection. But thinking it over those pink waves mother bought three years ago looked okay.

July 20, 2009

Where's The New Location?

Maybe I mentioned it previously but here goes. This is on the north side of the drive, same as the first area but further up. Sure it's rocky but the soil isn't starving with the PH tests I've done. And yes why not that rock wall I've been thinking of for a few years? It will be low as rocks are getting scarce around here. In fact it will be a tough job finding enough, or at least ones that are downhill from the area. I'm not pushing rocks up these hills anymore.

Test Plants

Having a number of petunias that survived the winter I have four test areas, or enough time to see how my soil mix works. It doesn't seem like the warm weather will quit

So Where Are The Other 85 Going?

This may take up 40 (in front of fence) including some in the larger flower pots.

How To Arrange Them In All Locations?

I don't know. Pink, purple one spot? All colors thrown in together?

Suggestions?

Petunias On A Hill

Over the years hardly anything grew on this hill except for a few wildflowers and other assorted weeds. Surely because of the dryness because daffodils do okay during the rainier months of late winter. Now it's time to see if I can create a cascading flow of trailing Petunias in the area. I'm figuring one every 1 1/2 square feet (two feet?) or something like 100 plants.

The area gets very good sun nearly all year but doesn't begin seeing it until 11AM in the early summer. Soil is a little acidic or 5.0 PH. Consensus says Petunias are forgiving but like it in the 5.5 to 6.0 range. A few tests show the current soil in the 5.0 range. Add in some composted wood chip mulch and manure sitting nearby from the fall I'm thinking I could have success.

By adding a few soaker hose lines the moisture problem is resolved. This should be interesting. That takes care of 100 Petunias, where to place the other 200? Maybe I'll extend it further up the drive and take out the pine trees. I hope I don't run short. Order another 200 or so?

May weather in March...

Forget The Seeds. Forget The Overpriced Plants At The Orange & Blue Places

Mentioned previously I want to try flower plugs this year from NCFarms. Having placed the order today for 600 plugs I'll be busy when they arrive. They're not the type that you can just plop in the ground and expect them to grow. At this stage they still need some tender care. Order should arrive the week of April 22, still a bit early as the average last frost hits about that date.

So they all need to be transplanted into something larger. I have oodles of containers piled neatly near the woods. Four inch to one gallon. I'm thinking of using the railroad tie garden along the driveway as a temporary nursery covered/tented with plastic sheathing. It gets plenty of sun each day and is protected from winds. Ideal for the 300 trailing petunias but could be too strong for the 300 coleus.

Coleus Selections: They all grow to knee high height and not those lousy ones that don't go higher than eight inches. Oh, they're all supposed to like full sun, but that orange color I had last year faded too much. No idea what the name was.

Coleus Oxblood

 Coleus Golda

Coleus Rustic Orange

Petunia Selections:

Trailing Purple

Trailing White

Trailing Red

Now that I look at them more, perhaps a different color other than red? Not pink, sorry.

About that irrigation. I think I'm going to abandon the green energy and go with a good gas powered pump. Lot's of great reviews on the Honda WX10. Only problem is climbing up and down that hill near the source.  Rocks, boulders, trees, you name it. A remote kill switch would be beautiful!

Local folks have a water tank (330 gal) or two for sale. Pricey though, off Craigslist. Only eight miles away. Fugly? Yes, but I could tuck it in the woods out of sight, covered with a green tarp.. Maybe I don't need it. The Honda has great numbers. Pressure, head, ease of use, etc. Plenty of tinkering with options before I consider a tank.

Beter Luck This Year

Now I'm finally getting into the mood. Petunias? They've impressed me off and on over the past few years. Problem is I have only a few spots for them and they're in the dry areas mentioned the other day. Hopefully that will be resolved this year with some kind of irrigation or...polymer crystals. But...these things that spread onto the driveway thrive in the dry heat. Must be the alkaline soil, and or the gravel does hold or keep some moisture somehow(Daves Garden contributor mentioned gravel to retain moisture).

Had I not transplanted a couple of dozen in early July to the next area, they would be massive. Both pictures taken August 17 last year. The bank area gets too shady come September so they do fade away.

Here's one problem dry area. Built two years ago it's never done well except for some crazy Celosia that grew kind of funky in 2010. Too ugly for me. Shown are standard Petunias same date. That's probably peak appearance. I think they were discounted by Lowes. Never did do well.

Getting mixed up between wave petunias and trailing Petunias over the years, it looks like the trailing wins around here. I'm almost certain that's what was started near the drive (top photo) in 2008 or 2009 and they've come roaring back each year. My waves (seed) from last year didn't wave too well. More like just stick up and that's it. Cutting back didn't help.

So that leads me to this years option. NC Farms. They offer 105 plug flats for about $40.00 each. At least I'll be a few months ahead of schedule when we consider seeded petunias or reseed don't really start growing until late June. Order? Hold on. About 400 petunia plugs and 300 coleus. Should be interesting. Oodles of color hopefully.

Oh did I mention the dismal failure of growing petunia from seed this year in Florida? 200 plug flat started in mid January...three itty bitty seedlings. I thought mother would have Petunias out her ears this summer. Not so. I probably let them dry out one or two days.

Spring Project?

Time to get back home. I was planning on returning from Florida April 1st, but the Florida boredom is setting in. Been thinking about the dry areas along and up the driveway. Nuttin' wants to grow in the dry summer months. It has great soil after working it the last two years, but dries out too fast. First I thought of lining the bottoms with 6 mil plastic sheathing then crystal polymers came to mind. How about irrigation? I've always toyed with getting water up there from the creek. The current method and small pump will not get water up there. House water can get halfway up the drive but it's annoying and considering it's shared spring water, Carl my neighbor wouldn't hear of it. Think running out of water in August.

Ram Pumps

They're hydraulic requiring no power to use except the force of the creek water, or something like that. More with these videos...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkrWEAyYhbU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wG7o8ic_OQ&feature=related

Definitely more research is required.

Solar pump? Height is probably too great.



Florida? Been tinkering here and there with Mom's gardens. Caladiums brought down from Georgia coming through the ground.

I got some potato vines from up the road I hope to take back with me when they recover from their transplant. Little buggers are three bucks each at home. Hope to get a few dozen plants from this.

Oh, constructed some netting for Moonflower and morning glory to climb in the backyard. Can't believe that project got approved!

Not enough sun in the area now, so they wait for transplant. Rumor has it they don't like being transplanted? Oh well, wait and see.

Don't Worry. You Won't Kill It

That was the popular consensus when it came to trimming back this fine Clematis vine. Only time will tell. It looked great in late April....

But once I got the scissors to it...another story.

And about those Coleus. I may just get lucky and have them reach decent size when the first frost hits. Then it's over for the season. This is almost four weeks progress.

And another well thought out purchase online, but I probably won't be able to enjoy them until 2012 considering it's getting late for seeds(received last week). Bunches of Petunias that if I'm lucky once again may show good size in mid October.  Oh well, they make it well into the colder November weather in these parts. Going to have to start some of this stuff in Florida next January providing I get out of  Google's Panda Prison.

Shown here is the status of some trailing wave Petunia seeds started the last week of March. They took forever to get moving but just the past few days with very warm temps have they made some good progress.

Daylillies planted from root last year. Calla Lillie's in the background also planted last spring that have yet to bloom at all. Perhaps a few weeks?