Question
Dear Rick,

I live in the suburbs of Detroit, MI.  I have two pots of Petitunia Happy Dream Danpethap PPAF Pentunia Hybrid I am having trouble with.  They claim to be easy to grow and I usually keep them in my front yard where they get sun from 2PM - 9PM.  I water them almost every day.  However, it seems hit or miss if they are dying or thriving.  I bought these from a local nursery and the soil that the petunia's are in is not "loose", but rather compacted.  Sometimes I will move my pentunia's to the back yard, where they get sun from 7AM - 4PM and sometimes they seem to do a little bit better, but then again, that can also be hit or miss.  I water them once a week with Miracle Grow fertilizer.  When the flowers die, I pick the old flower out.

I am leaving on vacation and worry about them completely dying while I am gone.  What can I do to insure that they are still alive when I get home?

My best friend is having similar problems.  Do you have any suggestions for us?

Thanks,

Kim

Answer
nature doesn't water once a day or once a week like you have been doing. my guess is your petunias are becoming mushy before they die VS brown & stiff. you are probably watering improperly(too frequently). improper watering is uusually the #1 reason for killing plants in pots and in the ground. for your potted plants water by weight. put a saucer under the pot. water and let the plant sit in the excess water for 5-10 minutes. after that time pour off any excess water in the saucer. pick up the pot. it should feel heavy. don't water again until it feels considerably lighter in weight. outdoors check the potted plants everyday(some types may only need watering every 2nd or 3rd day). indoor plants can go 3-10 days between waterings.
it's not as simple as "water everyday or once a week". each type plant has its own watering requirements. watering frequency depends on many factors(sun exposure, type of plant, wind, day temps,indoors VS outdoor location, etc.).
plants in the ground need watering only during prolonged dry spells. once a week may be too often during cloudy or cooler weather. may be too little during hot sunnu weather.
have a friend babysit your plants while you are gone. give them the same advice i just gave you.
good luck.
rick
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