Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Night Sky Petunia (Petunia cultivars) is an eye-catching patterned hybrid flower which makes an eye-catching statement in containers and hanging baskets. When first released commercially in 2016, this beautiful variety won the Fleurostar award for "Winner with Wow Factor."
This eye-catching plant's flowers are covered with bright white spots of various sizes that give the impression of stars in an array. To keep this blooming all summer, regular fertilizer applications should ensure full flowering.
Petunia Night Sky comes in several color variants, from Electric Purple Sky with vibrant fuchsia petals topped with white star-shaped petals to Midnight Sky (rich reddish-dark purple); Crystal Sky with its white spots over pale purple petals and dark veining; and bright red Strawberry Sky. These annuals grow quickly and bloom from spring until the first frost of autumn arrives.
Night sky petunias require full sunlight in order to thrive and flower properly, and low light levels lead to leggy growth, stem stretch and decreased quality of the plant.
To successfully propagate Headliner Night Sky, keep soil temperatures between 68 to 74 degrees until roots emerge, then fertilize as soon as they're visible. Pinch plants 18-24 days post-sticking to promote branching and improve habit.
As with other petunia varieties, night sky petunias require regular fertilization with NPK formula fertilizer every three weeks for healthy growth. Overwatering may result in root rot or Botrytis; an infection which leads to gray mold.
Contrary to most flower varieties, night sky petunias favor cooler nights and warmer days to produce their vibrant hues. Extreme variations between day and night temperatures lead to white blotches on their petals - an indicator that they have reached maturity.
Night sky petunias don't care much for certain soil types; however, for optimal performance they require well-draining potting mix with organic components containing peat moss or coconut coir and compost or aged manure in equal proportions. If growing them directly in garden soil they should also receive equal amounts of peat moss or coconut coir, compost and aged manure as additions.
Like other petunia varieties, night sky petunia requires adequate moisture in order to sustain growth and flower production. Watering frequency may depend on environmental conditions; accordingly it could vary.
Beds and gardens should receive one deep watering per week; containers and hanging baskets should be checked more often during hot summer weather to make sure their containers and hanging baskets receive adequate irrigation. Be careful not to overwater, which could result in root or stem rot.
Night Sky petunias should be planted in an area that receives full sun for six or more hours each day for optimal performance and to make their speckles stand out more vibrantly. Like all petunias, Night Sky requires a rich yet well-draining potting mix or garden soil that includes peat moss, coconut coir and compost as equal components - and should be fertilized throughout their growing season using an appropriate balanced formula such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-10 fertilization regimen.
Night sky petunias require both water and food for proper growth. Like other varieties of petunias, night sky petunias require low soil moisture levels but can tolerate dry soil conditions. Furthermore, they require regular fertilization with standard NPK fertilizer every three weeks in order to foster healthy growth and blooming.
Night sky petunia thrives in gardens when grown in loose, well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter. This allows it to retain moisture throughout its bloom season and remain lush and full.
These plants can be propagated either by seed or transplanted directly after the last frost of spring, when outdoor beds and containers become frost-free. When propagating from cuttings, select one with multiple leaves that is healthy enough to be dipped in rooting hormone powder before placing it in a pot with warm and bright light and keeping its growing medium moist.
Night Sky petunias are annual plants. Annuals complete their life cycles within one season and then die. Night Sky petunias may become susceptible to various diseases and pests such as aphids, whiteflies, slugs, or botrytis (a gray mold fungus), so if these issues arise simply spray an environmentally-friendly insecticide or fungicide for protection.
Night Sky petunias flourish best when grown in well-drained soil that is moderately to heavily fertilized, as is recommended for any variety of petunia. Pinch the plants 10-14 days post transplanting in order to promote new basal branching and prolong blooming periods; do away with faded blooms frequently to reduce seed pod formation and ensure continued blooming; this step is especially critical when growing this variety in hanging baskets and tiered containers. Night Sky petunias are highly heat tolerant.
