Surfinia (A Hybrid of Petunia and Atkinsiana)

The symbol of positivity, Petunia plants are more likely to grow where the positive energies are dominated over negative energies. Genus Petunia includes 35 species, from the family Solanaceae.

The majority of its species are native to South American countries. Plants belonging to this family can be annuals, biennials or they can be perennials. The plant can be straight or upright in posture^[1]Berardi, A.E., et al., Complex evolution of novel red floral color in Petunia. The Plant Cell, 2021. Read.

It belongs to the subfamily Petunioideae which are genetically close relative to potatoes and tomatoes. Literature by Maya and colleagues described the scent of Petunia and Surfinia.

They wrote that the fragrance of Surfinia and Petunia plants helps ward off the negative energies, dark spirits, and monsters. It is believed that the buds of its flowers are the source of magical drinks as well.

If one receives these plants as a gift, there could be two reasons either the person gifting these feels peace with you or the giver is somehow angry at you.

Types and varieties of Surfinia

Several cultivars and varieties are there. They are best suited for bedding the garden as well as for hanging decorating vases. They are said to be fast-growing bushy plants.

Their varieties have different appealing colors and can efficiently decorate home gardens. There are some of the plant varieties listed below that are more common for home gardening and wall decorations.

1. Grandiflora

This variety of Surfinia petunia has the largest variety of flower shapes and forms. The size of its flowers is also the largest among the other three types. Under this class of flowering garden plants, there are further four groups.

These groups have been made for color distinctions. The flower size is 4 inches. Flower petals are so soft and fragile that they can get damaged easily by rainfall^[2]Chen, S., et al., Magnolia grandiflora leaves extract as a novel environmentally friendly inhibitor for Q235 steel corrosion in 1 M HCl: Combining experimental and theoretical researches. Journal of … Continue reading.

• Merlin Blue Morn = White and blue shades are included in this group
• Ultra series = Mostly these include bi-color flowers
• Daddy’s series = These include red pink and purple shade flowers
• Super-cascade series = Other colors than these three series

2. Miliflora

Readily available, tolerant to harsh, rainy, and dry weather, with the smallest flower size (0.5 to 1 inch), and picotee (the flower with different base and edge colors) are some features of Miliflora. They include a wide range of colors such as white, pink, purple, blue, and red as well^[3]Plaza, B.M., et al., Effect of microalgae hydrolysate foliar application (Arthrospira platensis and Scenedesmus sp.) on Petunia x hybrida growth. Journal of Applied Phycology, 2018. 30(4): p. … Continue reading.

3. Multiflora

When compared to Grandiflora the flower is half of the Grandiflora flower size. In fragility, its flower petals are less fragile as compared to Grandiflora. Rain has less harmful impacts on its flora^[4]Saedi Dezaki, E., et al., Chemical composition along with anti-leishmanial and cytotoxic activity of Zataria multiflora. Pharmaceutical biology, 2016. 54(5): p. 752-758. Read.

4. Hedgiflora

The spreaders are Hedgifloras. They are also called ground covers. They spread rapidly when there is the consistent provision of water, nutrients, and fertilizers. They just grow half a foot in height.

There are several other subgroups in this also. Tidal Waves, Purple Waves, and Surfinia-Petunias are some types. Again there is the color distinction made in the group.

Propagation of Surfinia (Petunia)

For proper growth, Surfinia-Petunias require six hours of sunlight. As discussed above, they can easily tolerate dry, hot, and harsh environments. Moist soil and low levels of humidity are important key factors promoting Surfinia-Petunia growth levels.

Spring season especially late spring is the favorite season for its healthy spread. They can be easily grown in window baskets, tub holes, and wherever the sun reaches.

In dry areas, watering should be done daily. While in relatively colder or humid regions watering should be done with a gap of three to five days. Monthly fertilization is recommended for healthy young plants^[5]Иглина, А. CUTTINGS AND ROOTING OF PETUNIA HYBRID PETUNIA (SURFINIA) USING THE METHOD OF AIR PRUNING OF THE ROOT SYSTEM. in В мире научных открытий. 2017. Read.

1. Cultivation by seeds

Seeds must be sown carefully with less pressure into moist and warm soil. One should gently press the seeds. The seeds must not be sown in more depth. To cover seeds little amount of soil must be sprinkled over seeds. Fertilizers are required for obtaining plantlets. Seeds germinate within 7 days^[6]Zeljković, S., et al., Application of zeolite in Surfinia (Petunia hybrida Juss.) transplants production. 52. Hrvatski i 12. međunarodni simpozij agronoma, 12. do 17. veljače 2017, Dubrovnik, … Continue reading.

2. Transplantation of Surfinia-Petunia Seedling

Transplantation is easy when seedlings have grown three to four true leaves. Now we can reduce the watering time and soil must get dried between consecutive watering. Large containers are used for transplantation. Transplanted plantlets should be exposed to direct sunlight for 6 hours a day and monthly fertilization is recommended.

3. Rooting cuttings

Different cultivars are crossed and designed to get desirable varieties rooting cutting is one of the propagation methods used for this purpose. First of all rooting hormones are made ready for initiation of this protocol.

Rooting media is also made as cutting needs to be dipped into these media and hormones. About a 6-inch long stem, branch is cut from the main stem or from its sides.

Leaves are removed from the lower half of that cutting with a sterile knife. The portion of cutting is first dipped in the rooting hormone solution. Then the area from which leaves were removed is inserted gently in rooting promoting media.

The rooting media is made of perlite sand and a mixture of peat moss in equal quantities. Proper watering must be ensured. The roots from that cutting develop in 5 to 7 days and when these roots are 1 or 1.5 inches long: plantlets are again ready for transplantation^[7]Farooq, I., et al., Optimization of an improved, efficient and rapid in vitro micropropagation protocol for Petunia hybrida Vilm. Cv.“Bravo”. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 2021. Read.

Problems with Surfinia-Petunia

Several factors are causing the Surfinia-Petunia plant to show decreased growth or wilting issues. Some of these are enlisted below:

1. Root rot

Surfinia only needs watering once a week, the low moisture content in the soil is helpful. But the conditions get worse when one does overwatering, this might result in root rot of Surfinia-Petunia. The reason for this fungal infection to the roots of Surfinia-Petunia is heavily watered and boggy soil. Ultimately plant flowers and leaves die or show an increased level of wilting is observed.

2. Insect attack

Several arthropod pests have been destroying Surfinia-Petunia for a long. Some bug species, aphids, and even slugs are responsible for the destruction of Surfinia foliage. Slugs are avoided by using bait while insecticides are sprayed over insects or before their attack.

3. Molds

Overwatering and watering in late daytime or evenings may make Surfinia susceptible to the attack of gray, white molds, and verticillium wilt. These fungal agents cause devastation through wilting of floral areas and leaves. Less watering and proper fungicidal spray are mandatory^[8]Zenelt, W., K. Krawczyk, and N. Borodynko-Filas, Biodiversity and scope of endophytic and phytopathogenic bacterial species identified in plant samples investigated in the Plant Disease Clinic … Continue reading.

Care of Surfinia-Petunia

• Water the Surfinia-Petunia plant only when soils seem to get dry after the previous watering.
• The watering time suggested for this plant is early morning. So that the sunlight of the day helps the soil to get dry. Fungal infections can also be avoided by this.
• Be careful with the watering of spreading Surfinia because they require more water as compared to all others.
• If a large quantity of soil is used in hanging buckets or tubs, it might also require watering almost daily. The newborn seedlings may require just a sprinkling of water.
• Flowers of some varieties are fragile against rain, avoid direct rainfall if Surfinia-Petunia is planted in pots or tubs.
• Balanced fertilizers are added to the soil with the recommended dosage and amount. Hedgifloras or spreading varieties require more often use of fertilizers (once a week)
• For commercial growth and profitable marketing, soil tests are recommended before going towards fertilizers.
• Deadheading is a phenomenon when wilted or faded flowers are cut from the plant along with its seed-producing areas. This also helps in good foliage production and a healthy spread.
• Bouquets are made of this colorful flowering plant. When replanting its stem cuttings indoors remember to remove the leaves from the lower part of the cutting before submerging it into the soil. Those submerged leaves might result in rapid wilting or root rot when deteriorated^[9]Wieczorek, K. and D. Chłond, The first detection of the alien species: green-peach aphid Myzus (Nectarosiphon) persicae (I nsecta, H emiptera, A phididae) in the Svalbard archipelago. Polar Biology, … Continue reading.