PETUNIAS - When/where can I buy them?

[flypretty]

Hello gardeners! :cheesygri

First time in the Home & Garden thread as I have a garden related question..are petunias sold during this time of the year (sometime between now and end of January)? I read that petunias are "annual flowers" so they live for a season (and not for a year??:confused: ) but when are they sold?

If they are sold now, where in Toronto can I buy them??

Ideally would like to grow it in a flower pot inside a home. Is this possible?
Thanks everyone!

Keeping my fingers crossed for petunias in garden stores now!!!:razz:

[dolphie]

petunias are an annual, which means they grow outside for the summer, then die when it gets cold.
you wont be able to find them anywhere 'til springtime i doubt.
I've never seen them growing indoors-i'm guessing they'd need far too much sunlight than the winter months would provide.

[flypretty]

[QUOTE=dolphie;6004456]you wont be able to find them anywhere 'til springtime i doubt.QUOTE]

Are there any similar flowers (mainly need them to be small and colourful) that I can buy this time of the year (Dec/Jan) and can be kept indoors??? Please help, thanks!

[CSK'sMom]

You won't be finding any of the typical garden flowers this time of year, you're going to have to look at the typical houseplants. Cyclamen would fit the bill, so would african violets and a few others. You could also look at forcing bulbs like paper whites. etc.

[glaswegian]

So we do have some gardeners here eh......let's see pics of your garden then :D

[granite_grrl]

I think it would be hard to find them this time of the year, there will be lots around next spring though.

A note on bringing outdoor plants indoors....it can be hard to supply the plant with the light they require when brough indoors, though a south facing window would help a lot. Check out their light requirements before making them a hosue plant. Side note: Something else I realized when I started gardening this year was that many annuals that we have are only annual because of the zones we live in (the winter kills them off). There are many perrenials that people use here but only survive as annuals because of the zone.

There are some cute flowers out there for indoor plants, you could cruise the garden section at different stores to see what's avalible. Gerber Daisys are great, but not exactally "small". I also like the recomendations of cyclamen and african violets given earlier. If you want colour right now I noticed that the christmas cactuses were in bloom at most stores too.

[flypretty]

You won't be finding any of the typical garden flowers this time of year, you're going to have to look at the typical houseplants. Cyclamen would fit the bill, so would african violets and a few others. You could also look at forcing bulbs like paper whites. etc.

So cyclamen and african violets are:
1) Small
2) Colourful and
3) Can survive inside the house?

I need a flower that fits those 3 "requirements"

I apologize for the pickiness...the plant is for a friend


PS: Hi CSK'sMom..I recognize you from other forums on here:D

[CSK'sMom]

Yes flypretty, those plants will all do well indoors and flower with the proper care. They are small as well (probably a 4-6 inch size pot). Lots of colors available as well. :cheesygri

[glaswegian]

Am guessing you are in zone 5? I can tell you now that most indoor plants either need minimum light or full light to survive. This is a bad time to be looking for indoor plants, the season is over and you have to wait till spring.

Why the rush all of a sudden....xmas present? Give them vouchers to a garden centre


So cyclamen and african violets are:
1) Small
2) Colourful and
3) Can survive inside the house?

I need a flower that fits those 3 "requirements"

I apologize for the pickiness...the plant is for a friend


PS: Hi CSK'sMom..I recognize you from other forums on here:D

[flypretty]

Yes flypretty, those plants will all do well indoors and flower with the proper care. They are small as well (probably a 4-6 inch size pot). Lots of colors available as well. :cheesygri

Am guessing you are in zone 5? I can tell you now that most indoor plants either need minimum light or full light to survive. This is a bad time to be looking for indoor plants, the season is over and you have to wait till spring.


So I'm getting opposing views here. Can I buy them now (Dec/Jan) in stores and will they live indoors??:confused:

[glaswegian]

You aren't getting opposing views, you just seem to be hearing what you want to hear. Again....why the rush now, where were you all summer? If the answers you are getting is not good enough, then go to a garden centre in Toronto where you are, and speak to the lovely people there.

[CSK'sMom]

Be nice Glas! Flypretty, I think Glas is stuck on the petunia/outdoor type plant thing. You can get cyclamen's, etc this time of year as they are indoor houseplants. A good garden center with a greenhouse will have lots of houseplants this time of year (it's what keeps them going over the winter). Even places like Home Depot or Walmart have houseplants this time of year.

[glaswegian]

If this is any consolation to you, I saw the cyclamen's at fortino this evening when I stopped by to get something else. They were in small pots though, for 4.99

[flypretty]

If this is any consolation to you, I saw the cyclamen's at fortino this evening when I stopped by to get something else. They were in small pots though, for 4.99

Thanks. Not buying any flower until near end of January..will take african violet and cyclamen into consideration.