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Cascading ampelous petunias are distinguished by their decorativeness and profusion of flowering. Caring for plants is simple, even a novice gardener can grow them from seeds. A great example is the Opera Supreme petunia. This is a whole series of varieties. Due to the variety of colors, they can fit into any concept of landscape design.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Petunia Opera Supreme (Opera Supreme F1) belongs to the category of ampel cascade. This means that the plant is often planted not in a flower bed, but in a flower pot, hung from the ceiling or attached to walls, fences, trellises. But even on the ground, the bush will not get lost, turning into a bright, thick “carpet” with an area of approximately 1,2 m². You can even create complex patterns in the flower bed by combining varieties. When planted in a flowerpot on a stand, the stems quickly hang over its edges, the flower, together with the container, becomes like a ball or a waterfall.
Such “balls” from flower pots with petunias are a very effective garden decoration.
From other varieties of ampelous petunias, Opera Supreme compares favorably with undemanding in terms of soil quality and illumination. She “forgives” the gardener certain flaws in agricultural technology, successfully adapts to the peculiarities of the local climate, various vagaries of the weather.
The height of the bush reaches 20 cm. The length of thin, flexible stems varies between 1-1,3 m. The diameter of a fully opened simple (non-double flower – up to 6 cm). Flowering is very abundant, leaves and shoots are almost invisible. Its duration depends on the region of cultivation. In a warm subtropical climate, Opera Supreme blooms from late spring to late autumn. Buds stop opening only after the first frost.
Most of the petunias in the Opera Supreme series are hybrids. Their name necessarily contains the designation “F1”. It makes no sense to collect seeds for planting next year – varietal characteristics are not preserved.
Petunia series Opera Suprim
The series of petunias Opera Supreme includes more than a dozen of its varieties. The main difference is the color of the flowers. Based on it, they give names.
Petunia Cascade Opera Supreme Lilac Ice F1
The ampelous petunia Opera Supreme Lilac Ice (“lilac ice”), in comparison with its “relatives”, stands out for its insensitivity to how much light it receives daily. The hybrid is suitable for planting throughout Our Country, including the northern regions. The flowers are a very delicate lilac shade with a brighter ink-violet “mesh”. Petunia Opera Supreme Lilac Ice may look a little darker in the photo.
The shoots of the flower are extended by 1,1-1,2 m
Petunia Cascade Opera Supreme F1 Raspberry Ice
The ampelous petunia Opera Supreme Raspberry Ice (“raspberry ice”), hanging from the edges of the hanging planter, forms an almost regular “dome”. But at the same time, the bush turns out to be quite compact. The stems are elongated by about 1 m.
The quality of the substrate does not affect the abundance of flowering, but the necessary conditions for this are regular fertilization and the removal of dried flowers. The main tone of the petals is from light crimson to pastel pink. An additional “decor” of the ampelous petunia Opera Supreme Raspberry Ice is bright crimson veins.
For abundant flowering of this variety, regular fertilization and removal of dried flowers are required.
Petunia Cascade Opera Supreme F1 White
Nothing special in comparison with other varieties of ampelous petunia Opera Supreme White does not stand out. The flowers are snow-white, with a pale yellow base.
From a distance, the bush resembles a large white cloud
Petunia Opera Supreme Pink Morne
The bush at the ampelous petunia Opera Supreme Pink Mourn turns out to be neat and compact. The length of the shoots does not exceed 1 m. The flowers are large, from 6 cm, under optimal conditions – up to 8-10 cm. The color is very interesting – gradient. A wide pastel-pink border along the edges of the petals gradually changes color to snow-white. At the very base – a bright yellow spot. The pink shade, judging by the photo, is reminiscent of the petunia Opera Supreme Rasbury Ice.
The flowers are large – from 6 cm, in optimal conditions – up to 8-10 cm
Petunia Opera Supreme Coral
Of all the varieties of petunia described, Opera Supreme Coral least of all resembles a classic ampelous one. Her stems are quite strong, they are reluctant to droop. The flowers are bright, coral, with overflows of peach and salmon. In the sun, this shade does not fade.
The brightness of the shade of the petals is maintained even if the petunia is exposed to direct sunlight
Petunia Opera Supreme Purple
The ampelous petunia Opera Supreme Purple is distinguished by the fact that the buds dot the stems, growing to 0,9-1,2 m, almost along the entire length. Therefore, the flowering bush resembles an inky purple dome. Because of this, the plant needs increased doses of fertilizers and a sufficient volume of soil for the development of the root system.
The leaves on the bush are almost invisible – it is literally strewn with flowers
Petunia Cascade Opera Supreme F1 Red
Petunia Ampelnaya Opera Supreme Red is best when planted in hanging pots or baskets. An intensively branching plant turns into a ball or a drop, and not a “beard” or a cascade. This decoration for the garden looks very openwork and elegant. The flowers are large, bright scarlet.
This variety is ideal for vertical garden decor.
Features of cultivation and care
Opera Supreme seeds are planted early, in late February or early March. They are already fully prepared for landing. Germination or disinfection is not required. They are not buried in the soil, leaving on the surface.
Seedlings appear relatively quickly, after 12-14 days. It is very important to constantly monitor the humidity of the substrate, not allowing it to dry out. At the time of planting, the seedlings should be about 3 months old.
Petunia seedlings with a lack of moisture dry out in just a few hours
Ampelous petunias from the Opera Supreme series are undemanding to the quality of the substrate. However, light, but nutritious soil that allows air and water to pass through is best suited for them. For normal development, one plant needs at least 6 liters of soil (preferably 8-10 liters). Use, for example, a mixture of leafy soil, humus, peat and sand (2:2:1:1).
The best location for Opera Supreme is light partial shade.
The farming techniques required for this series of petunias can even be called primitive. They do not need pruning and pinching shoots for greater “bushiness”. It is only necessary to remove dried flowers in a timely manner, this stimulates the formation of new buds.
Opera Supreme varieties are watered moderately, allowing the substrate to dry 4-5 cm deep. They tolerate a lack of moisture much better than its excess. In addition, abundant watering provokes the development of fungal diseases. The norm per plant is about 3 liters of water twice a week. It is desirable to pour it under the root.
After each watering, it is recommended, if possible, to push back the shoots and gently loosen the soil in the pot. It is quite possible to do without loosening and mulching the soil in a flower bed. Shoots that cover the soil with a solid carpet do not allow it to “bake” into a hard crust on the surface and prevent the growth of weeds.
The abundance of flowering of ampelous petunias Opera Supreme causes their increased need for nutrients. Starting from the moment the buds appear, the plants are fed once a week and a half, 2-3 hours after watering.
Petunia is not picky about fertilizers themselves, it responds positively to both natural organic matter and special store products for decorative flowering annuals. It is recommended to alternate organic top dressing (infusion of fresh manure, bird droppings, green tea from weeds, potassium and sodium humates) with mineral fertilizers.
Mineral fertilizers provide flowering petunias with complex nutrition, including all the necessary macro- and microelements.
Diseases and pests
The immunity of all varieties from the Opera Supreme series is very good. As a rule, a minimum amount of maintenance is sufficient to avoid the development of fungi and pest attacks.
This petunia has no exotic diseases. It can develop typical for most horticultural crops:
- powdery mildew (a grayish-white coating in the form of a powder, gradually darkening, thickening and turning into black-brown mucus);
- gray rot (“weeping” spots on the plant, dragging on with a “fluffy” light gray coating with black patches).
Powdery mildew on petunia leaves seems like a harmless coating that is easy to wipe off, but in fact it is a dangerous disease.
It is easier to cope with the disease if you notice it at an early stage. Therefore, experienced flower growers are advised to inspect flower beds and planters at least once a week. Having found suspicious symptoms, all affected (even slightly) parts of the plant are removed. Petunia and soil in a flowerpot, in a flower bed are sprayed with a solution of any fungicide. Its concentration and frequency of treatments are determined by the instructions. Usually 3-4 treatments are enough.
Pests on Opera Supreme petunias are attacked by the most “omnivorous”, sap-eating plants:
- aphid (small yellow, green, brown, black insects, densely sticking to buds, tops of shoots, young leaves);
- thrips (similar to black “dashes”, they settle mainly on the wrong side of the leaves);
- spider mite (the pests themselves are almost invisible, they can be detected by thin translucent “threads” braiding the plant).
Aphids live in a stable symbiosis with ants, so they also need to be fought
Any broad-spectrum insecticide is effective against insects. To prevent their attacks, folk remedies are quite suitable. Spider mites are destroyed with special chemicals – acaricides.
Conclusion
Petunia Opera Supreme, even against the background of other ampel and cascade varieties, stands out for its abundance of flowering. The bush grows quickly, recovers if several shoots are broken, does not require pinching to form. Relative disadvantages (a large volume of substrate, the impossibility of self-propagation by seeds) does not detract from the merits of the variety in the eyes of gardeners, so it enjoys steady popularity.
Reviews of ampelous petunias Opera Supreme Pink Morn, Parple, White
