Petunias originated in South America and make up roughly 35 species of flowering plants of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Common garden petunias are ornamental plants featuring trumpet-shaped flowers, and are mostly cultivated in window boxes and flower beds. They are hardy annuals that grow best in full sunlight. However, like most plants, they can also suffer if overwatered.
Overwatered petunias: What are the symptoms?
The leaves are soggy and wilted.
Overwatered petunias look droopy and the leaves are soggy, wilted and about to fall off the branches.
The leaves are turning yellow and brown.
The leaves of overwatered petunias have a damp texture and will turn yellow and brown before eventually dropping off.
There are signs of edema on the leaves.
Edema develops in overwatered petunias when the plant’s water-filled cells start to break down and burst. This is most evident on the undersides of the leaves, and is characterized by watery blisters and lesions.
The soil is unusually wet.
The soil of overwatered petunias is almost always waterlogged.
The roots are rotting.
The roots will begin to rot if they are waterlogged, and will be unable to perform their main function of transporting vital nutrients throughout the plants. Rotting roots will turn brown and mushy.
How to fix overwatered petunias
Get rid of excess water.
You can help save your overwatered plants by tipping them out of their pots. This is to allow excess water to drain away and so that some air can return to the soil.
You can also place the root ball on a sheet of paper and leave it there to dry out. This will take two to three days. During this time, the roots and stems are fragile, so ensure that the plant is out of direct sunlight while you dry it out.
As the roots dry out, the root ball will begin to absorb some air and the soggy parts will return to being only slightly moist. Some plant owners squeeze the root ball to speed up the drying process, but this is not advisable as it could damage the roots.
Prune the affected roots.
Examine the roots for signs of rotting, since this usually follows if you have overwatered the plants. Sickly roots turn orange-brown and will start to rot. They will also lose texture and become soggy. Trim or prune the ailing roots to revive the plants. Sanitize any garden tools you used to prevent the spread of infection to other plants.
Make sure the pots or planters have adequate drainage holes.
See to it that the pots you use for your plants have sufficient drainage holes. A lack of drainage may be the reason the plants were always in wet soil. Make sure that there is at least one hole in the bottom of each pot.
Repot your plants.
Incorrect or poorly-draining potting soil could also lead to overwatered petunias. These plants are fussy when it comes to soil quality. Repot them in fresh potting mix; do not reuse the same soil as it could contain pathogens that may threaten the life of your weakened plants.
Petunia plant care
Petunia plants should be watered regularly and exposed to sunlight to promote great blooms. Most of these plants can grow in partially shaded areas, but more abundant blooms are produced in full sun. Ideally, the soil used for planting petunias should contain well-composted organic matter.
These plants should also be fertilized at least weekly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer designed for blooming plants. If you provide them with the proper light, water and fertilization, you will ensure a long season of beautiful blooms. Spent blooms should be removed, along with the seeds they produce. To deadhead petunias, remove the base of the flowers to include the seeds.
Conclusion
Petunias are hardy annuals popular for their dainty blooms. However, they are prone to overwatering, especially by over-enthusiastic plant owners. Common signs of overwatered petunias include soggy, wilted and brown or yellow leaves. There will also be signs of edema in the form of blisters and lesions, and the roots may start to rot.
Image: istockphoto.com / Pinrath Phanpradith