A Review of the Wonderful Wave Petunia

I do not recall a single time that I've ever purchased petunias for myself or have attempted to raise them.  I've just never been that attracted to them. It's not that I disliked them, rather, there are too many other flowers and plants that I like better. Recently, I made an impulse purchase, choosing these petunias without much thought. And WOW, I'm glad I did.  I am already planning where I will plant many more Wave petunias.

My Impulsive Petunia Purchase 

This year, I wanted to find a small plant for a splash of color on my balcony - with the sole intention of trying to attract hummingbirds more quickly.  The plants from the seeds I had sown, were coming along, but nothing was blooming. I had placed my hummingbird feeder out with no known visitors. Because I was feeling so impatient to attract the hummingbirds, I decided to purchase a small, inexpensive, and colorful plant in hopes of catching the eye of the returning hummers.

There were some blooming flowers at the local home and garden store, but not many of my favorites. As I passed the buckets full of petunias, I just grabbed a pink plant and a very dark red plant.  I took them home and literally just plopped them into a single, long planter.

24" long planter with drainage tray

The Wave Petunias are Doing Great!

The other day, I decided to take some photographs of these vigorous flowers.  Our weather has had some very cold snaps and dreary days.  I have been a neglectful plant owner. Some of my plants have been drier than I'd like them to be due to my forgetfulness and busy schedule. Even so, these petunias are blooming continuously and growing like weeds.

The pink plant is slightly more vigorous than the deep red plant.  But both are doing great.

pink petunia

Unexpected Petunia Bonus

As I am reading articles about petunias - since I am a complete petunia newbie - I am thrilled to find that petunias seem to be fairly easy to propagate. Some folks claim that petunias can be over-wintered in cold climates and/or moved indoors and propagated.  

I can propagate plants, but only the plants that are the most willing.  So I'm thrilled to read that these are willing participants. 

The view of petunias from my comfy cushion

My Only Complaint

My only and very small complaint about these flowers is only about the packaging. I found that it wasn't very easy for me to find the type and color of petunias - on the tag or the planter. Only after I took photographs of the tags, did I realize that I have the "easy wave" petunias.  And I'm still not seeing what colors I have.

The tags are larger than many, and that's a plus. But I think the type and color should be printed more clearly and/or on the back side of the tag. On the front of the tag, the brand name "Wave" and the variety name of "easy wave" were hard for me to sort out at first.

I believe I have the Easy Wave Pink Passion and the Easy Wave Red Velour. I determined that by looking at the varieties listed on the Wave website.

red petunia

That is an exceedingly small complaint. And does not impact how I feel about these vigorous, beautiful, and FAST growing plants.  Wave Petunias are perfect plants for container garden on a sunny balcony.

A Hearty Hibiscus

Today's blossom on my balcony

Once again, I have a hibiscus that is thriving and blooming like crazy.  I do not know if most gardeners consider a hibiscus to be a hearty plant or not, but I've had great experiences with hibiscus plants on the balcony. Since I typically have a terrible time keeping plants alive, I have come to believe that hibiscus is a hearty plant. And an excellent choice for a well-lit balcony or patio container garden. If you are wondering what plant to get for your balcony, you might want to consider a hibiscus too.

Location

I had previously thought hibiscus plants only grown in warm and exotic locations. On islands and beaches.  But I began to notice them growing on beaches and near marshes locally.  I love the blooms so much that I picked one up at a box store, for just a couple of dollars, and hoped for the best but expected the worst.

My balcony is located in Maryland (zone 7). It gets cold here in the winter.  Last year, I made the mistake of not bringing my hibiscus in during the winter and it froze to death. But the winter before that, I brought it in and placed it in a sunny, east window. That plant bloomed through the winter.

The plant that bloomed for me indoors

Wherever you live, I suggest placing a hibiscus in a very sunny location.  Mine loves my southwest facing balcony.  I have also noticed that if they seem to do okay when I change their locations, and fairly quickly respond to a location they prefer.  However, when I bring them inside, they look sickly for a short amount of time - before bouncing back.

Such a pretty and interesting flower

Watering

Apparently, hibiscus do not prefer to be kept moist.  I'm a neglectful plant owner and often let plants become far too dry.  I notice that I've forgotten to water my plants when they start to droop.  Then I give them a good soaking.  The hibiscus bounces back and produces a ton of blooms.

Container

Even though my hibiscus plants clearly do okay without daily watering, I do think they seem to do better in a self-watering planter.  With these planters, I don't manage to let my plants die of thirst, and yet they aren't kept too moist. I think these planters are great choices for hibiscus plants.

I did read somewhere that if you give a hibiscus an extremely large container, it will spend it's energy growing roots as opposed to flowers.  And because I'm slow to move planters to larger containers as they grow, I think I've proven this theory to be correct - smaller pots equals lots of blooms.

Self-Watering Planter

Related Links from Experienced Hibiscus Experienced Growers:

I do not expect you to take my word for it. In fact, if you bought a plant based only on what I say, I'd be a bit worried.  So I highly suggest that you do some research and check out some of the following information. Or, do you own research.

But, I can assure you, the photographs in this article are of my hibiscus plants. I am confident that if I can grow healthy hibiscus plants, you will be able to also.

Hibiscus Care

Hibiscus in Pots: Container Growing

Tropical Hibiscus Year Round by the University of Illinois Extension

Budget Balcony Bug Control - Aphids

I have a small garden on my balcony.  The occasional wasp, bee, and mosquito have been my only insect pests over the years. Until today. Today, I discovered an aphid infestation on my container rose!  I did not initially know what they were. I had to do some research. And then do research on rescuing my rose bush from their destructive grasp.  I will share what I learned so you will be prepared if you ever notice aphids on your balcony!

Insects In Your Container Garden

I have a young rose bush that I took up to my acreage to plant. Unfortunately, I ran into some obstacles and was not able to plant it there.  I brought it back to the apartment with me and planned to let it live happily on my sunny balcony until I could take it up and plant it.

Today, I noticed that it was looking a little ragged and sickly.  At first I thought it was from all of the traveling we did last weekend.  I touched a leaf and realized it was very sticky.  Upon closer examination, the plant appeared to be covered in BUGS! I stifled a scream and ran inside to research what kind of bugs they were; friend or foe. And what to do about it.

Aphids!

I discovered I had a large family of Aphids on my rose plant.

"Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects with long slender mouthparts that they use to pierce stems, leaves, and other tender plant parts and suck out fluids." 

"Low to moderate numbers of leaf-feeding aphids aren't usually damaging in gardens or on trees. However, large populations can turn leaves yellow and stunt shoots; aphids can also produce large quantities of a sticky exudate known as honeydew, which often turns black with the growth of a sooty mold fungus. Some aphid species inject a toxin into plants, which causes leaves to curl and further distorts growth"

                                 -- both quotes from Aphids Management Guide by UC IPM

So I found my answer. These little bugs, exuding sticky nastiness all over my rose bush were definitely foe. And had to go.  But how to get rid of Aphids feasting on a plant, in a container, on a balcony, was the next question.

Ways to Control Aphids

I found many different suggestions for ridding my plant of these destructive pests. The suggestions ranged from pesticide sprays, to homemade natural sprays, natural enemies, to physically evicting them from the plant.

A partial list of aphid pest control approaches:

• Chemical Pesticides
• Organic Neem Spray
• Soap & Water Spray
• Essential Oils Spray
• Release Lady Bugs 
• Bug eating birds
• Literally Pick the bugs from the plants
• Spray the bugs from the plants with the garden hose

In addition to those items, I read about sprinkling flour on the plant/bugs, using a garlic/onion concoction that required a food processor, and other home remedies.

I am not generally against pesticides. But I do prefer to go natural when I can.  There was No-Way-In-Heck I was going to pick those nasty little things from my plant with my fingers! While the birds and the lady bug solutions would be my choices on the acreage, I don't imagine my neighbors would like a flock of guineas on my balcony. Nor would the lady bugs like to be confined to my balcony - even if I could.

So I made a soap spray.  

After doing more research, and halving other recipes, I mixed a cup of water and slightly less than a teaspoon of dish soap. I sprayed the plant liberally. And waited.  The soapy water appeared to be effective as many of the bugs keeled over - feet in the air.  Other bugs tried to skeedaddle but didn't get farther than the edge of the pot.

I then took the rose bush and container into the tub. Tilting it at an angle, I gave it a gentle shower to rinse the bugs and soapy water from the plant.

Only time will tell if the soapy water damaged my plant. Or if the aphid infestation caused the leaves to curl up enough to create permanent damage to my pretty new rose bush. But so far, the soapy water followed by the shower seems to have been effective. 

First Garden Center Trip of the Season

Red Siberian Pole Tomato

Isn't it exciting, the first warm and sunny days in a region that experiences the four seasons? The snow melts away. The sun seems brighter and you begin to notice the white cotton clouds drifting across a cotton candy blue sky.  And it hits you.  

I
Must
Go
Seed
Shopping.
I
Must
Be
Surrounded
By
Plants!

That is what happened to me. I felt the spring bug bite. Even though our first-day-of-spring weekend included rain, gloom, and a few wet snowflakes and it was too early in the year to plant anything, I had to go.  

I drove to the Garden Center in the drizzle. 

Garden Planning

Oh how I wish I was good at planning a garden. I'm not good at it. In fact, I'm terrible at it.  My excuse is that I currently live in a small apartment and only "garden" on a balcony. That's my excuse for not paying attention and being organized.  

Trouble is, I was just as bad at garden planning when I had a huge yard and a sprawling veggie garden.  I need to find ways to be more organized.

I felt the pinch of disorganization a couple of years ago. I had THE most amazing tomato plant on my balcony.  It produced wonderful, round, plum-sized fruit that were the tastiest tomatoes I've ever had.  As the weather turned cold, I brought that plant into my kitchen and used a light bulb to supplement the waning natural light of autumn. That plant produced tomatoes well into November!

Tomato picked on Nov. 18 - small but so tasty!

I saved some seeds and planted them the next year. 

But did not have the same result. How disappointing.  I'm 
not sure if I confused the seeds and planted the wrong ones. 
I don't know if my original plant was a hybrid and I got bad results from planting hybrid seeds.  I just don't know.

My goal this year is to find an "heirloom" tomato that I love just as much and then save THOSE seeds successfully.  

Garden Store Trip

My wandering to the garden store, in the rain and cold, was in part to look for suitable tomato seeds. I think if I start them inside (I used a huge, re-purposed fish aquarium to start seeds and small plants) I will have decent sized tomato plants as soon as the balcony is warm enough.

I also needed to think about my herbs and lavender plants. Last fall was a tough time for me in many ways. As a result, I left all of my plants outdoors. And they died.  Typically, I would bring the mint and rosemary to overwinter in the house.  Last winter I also had a hibiscus bush that I overwintered in my bedroom, in front of an east-facing window, and that plant bloomed nearly all winter.  But alas, my poor planning left it to freeze on the balcony also.

I headed out, knowing that I would at least try to find a tomato situation. And with no other plan.

My Purchases

I wandered around the seed packets for so long that I began to think they must think I'm a shoplifter or a vagrant.  A very kind employee came to see if she could help.  I told her of my tomato lament and how much I wanted to have that plant all over again, but that I probably blew any chance of that.

We talked hybrid versus heirloom - and that if I really wanted to try to become a successful seed saving gardener, I need to stay away from hybrids.

She pointed me toward the brands of seeds that she recommends.  Among those brands I found the the Red Siberian pole Tomato by Botanical Interests. 

The description includes:

"Only an heirloom tomato that came from the climate of Siberia could tolerate the fickle and sometimes cool temperatures that exasperate gardeners in spring!"

I am a little concerned that it is a 6' high pole tomato!  But if I can be creative with attaching it to my rail, this might work out really well.

If you've had experiences with either this tomato or this seed company, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

My garden store treasures

Morning Glory - The Beautiful Privacy Screen

My Morning Glory (last year's crop)

Many of us who have balconies wish for more privacy. Morning glories provide an inexpensive but exquisitely beautiful privacy screen.  Using just the railing, a bit of string, or fishing line, and you can create a privacy screen from balcony floor to roof for just a few cents.

My Balcony Morning Glories

I have great luck growing these interesting flowers in a container.  I use my railing for the trellis.  These beautiful flowers add color and beauty.  The leaves and vines add a bit of privacy.  If I planted my morning glories more thickly, I would have complete privacy but I plant my flowers sparsely so that the sun reaches all of my sun-loving vegetables.

Best of all, hummingbirds were very interested in the blooms last year.  I hope that the morning glories are a food source in addition to my hummingbird feeder. But because the birds move so quickly, I'm never quite sure if they are drinking from the blooms or just hiding behind them.

Floor to Ceiling Flower Screen

Imaginative people string fishing line (for an invisible "trellis") from floor to balcony roof to make a complete privacy screen. I think the effect is gorgeous. Were it not for my vegetables, I would do this too.

 33 Small Balcony Designs shares with us a photo of an invisible green screen covered in morning glories as well as many photos of beautiful balconies. The invisible trellis can include verticle strings, horizontal strings, or a grid of strings.  It's up to you how you string your trellis.  I think the horizontal strings are an especially interesting look.

Example of a green screen and invisible trellis

Mobile Planter and Trellis

If you love the idea of a trellis with flowers on your balcony, but need to move things around in that space, you can purchase a planter and a trellis. There are several small trellises that can be used in your existing planters. However, if you have a bit of money to spend, you can purchase this gorgeous large planter and trellis on wheels.  In the event you want to arrange your balcony, you can do so with ease if your morning glories are in this system.

Planter with trellis on wheels

This year, I am again starting my morning glories in a small container and will train them to grow up the balcony railing.  I've planted two colors this year and I look forward to their daily dance of opening in the mornings and closing in the afternoons.

Word of Caution - I have read that morning glory seeds are poisonous to pets. So take care to keep seed packets out of your pet's reach and supervise your pets closely around your morning glory plants.

Morning Glory seed packet

Tonight's Visitor

I was told that the hummingbirds would not come to my feeder hanging on my balcony. But they do. And I'm thrilled.

The Cheap Seats - Cushions and Poufs

Outdoor Decorative Pillows

Even though many balconies are very small in square footage, they can be big on comfort. You can save money and show more of your personality using found items, cushions, and poufs.  Your budget balcony can be transformed into a welcoming space - adding living space to your apartment.

Cushions as Seating

With the exception of my balcony garden, I like to keep my balcony as uncluttered as possible. That's why I have chosen to not purchase outdoor furniture. Instead, I use a variety of throws and cushions when I'm sitting outside.  Unfortunately, most of my throws and cushions are not indoor/outdoor. So I have the extra task of carrying them back inside after every use.

To solve that minor problem, I have begun shopping for outdoor cushions. The good news is that there are currently many beautiful indoor/outdoor cushions and pillows to choose from.  The sky is the limit in regards to patterns and colors. My plan is to have a stack of cushions that can remain outdoors and can be used as needed.

Balcony Designs from AVSO.Org

Turning Found Items into Seating

I like the idea of using found items as seating. This photograph shows how to turn wooden crates, textiles, and pillows into functional seating. I've seen storage tubs,trunks, benches, and milk crates used similarly. One of the bonuses to using found items instead of patio furniture is the ease of moving the items into the apartment and onto the balcony. They are also space-saving and often provide additional storage.

Balcony Designs from AVSO.org

Outdoor Poufs

Poufs are GREAT for extra seating. They are popular and beautiful. They come in a wide range of colors.  I'm not sure that I would use one on my balcony without bringing it indoors at nice since it is made with cotton materials and filled with beans.  My balcony faces into the rain, which is great for my garden but probably not great for a bean-filled chair. However, on a protected balcony or used outside on nice days, it is a beautiful seating solution.

Balcony Designs from AVSO.Org

DIY Seating

Human creativity never ceases to amaze me.  And this is an example of that creativity.  Lumber, cushions, paint, and cinder blocks are used to make semi-permanent outdoor seating.  This seating is far larger than needed for my balcony. In fact, it is about 1/2 of the footprint of my balcony. But Meg Made Creations shows two smaller versions that would fit on my balcony.

DIY seating by Be Happy Be Me

There are many inexpensive and creative ways to personalize your balcony and create a welcoming area.  These are just a few.