On 27/2/08 19:32, in article
, "Judith
in France" wrote:

On Feb 24, 10:11*pm, Sacha wrote:
On 24/2/08 18:24, in article , "Frank Booth

Snr" wrote:
I grew a trailing double-petalled white petunia in a window box which
was verysuccessful last season. I went onto my balcony ready to throw
away all the old annuals when noticed that on the Petunia new buds have
broken with fresh leaves just emerging. I've pruned the plant back quite
hard, with sevral old stems left with live buds.

Will this plant be expected to flourish for a second year?

No reason why not if it doesn't get frosted. *You must be living somewhere
warm enough - this winter, at least - to allow it to be a perennial.

--
Sachahttp://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Also Sacha, it is very easy to take cuttings of overwintered petunia,
just nip out the growing tip, pull off excess leaves and put into sand
and potting compost usually with 100% success, No doubt Ray has been
doing this for years. How is he BTW busy I would tink at this time of
year?

Judith in London at the moment.

We don't propagate Petunias because to be honest, it's too much faff for us.
If they're not protected by PBR, which means we can't propagate them, it
would take aeons of hours. We buy them in as plugs. The busy factor is
certainly growing with every day that goes by and what is very interesting -
I think - is that we're seeing an increase in people who want advice on
garden planning and planting and that those customers are young and keen but
busy with their careers, as well as the older and more moneyed types. They
are not into 'instant gardens' but just want to make the best of what
they've got with some help. I think it's very heartening from the gardening
pov. In the ten years I've known this place I have remarked some changes
that others might not have noticed quite so much. One is the retreat and
re-advance of the bluetits and the other is the very considerable increase
in young couples with children coming for help and advice. When I first
knew the Nursery I'd guess most of the customers were middle aged and
upwards. Now there is a definite trend towards younger couples.
I really like this a lot. Younger people are enjoying their time grubbing
around in the earth, even if it's just digging a hole and putting a plant in
it. In a year or five, they might have a greenhouse and start raising
things from seed or cuttings. It's just so encouraging, such a balm.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'