The Gioconda petunia series delights the eye with lush blooms and a variety of shades: scarlet, white, blue, light blue, purple, yellow, peach, and orange combinations. This annual plant features a male-type flowering pattern that, with proper care, can last up to 12 months. Let’s explore the key aspects of growing Gioconda petunias.
Table of contents
General Description of the Gioconda Petunia Series
Petunia Gioconda F1 is a hybrid plant that has revolutionized horticulture. Its uniqueness lies in the countless small or large flowers that densely cover the bushes. Breeders achieved this result by ensuring the flowers are completely sterile, preventing seed formation.
Gioconda begins flowering early in its growth cycle. With consistent care, it blooms for 12 months, despite being classified as an annual.
The flower colors are impressively diverse:
- bright orange;
- deep burgundy-scarlet;
- white;
- yellow;
- peach;
- light blue;
- purple;
- pastel pink.
The petunia exhibits vigorous growth. Its branching stems can reach up to 1 m in length and, when grown in open ground, form a dense floral carpet. The stems grow up to 20 cm tall, and each flower measures 6–9 cm in diameter. When cultivated in pots, the stems cascade over the edges.
This hybrid is resilient to both low and high temperatures, thriving in conditions ranging from –8°C to +40°C. It withstands harsh weather and sudden temperature fluctuations. During frosts, growth may slow slightly, but the plant survives.
The Gioconda F1 hybrid competes with many popular trailing petunia varieties due to its uniform flower distribution. It adapts well both as seedlings and after transplantation.
Note. In the early stages, the flowers appear strong and bloom quickly.
Some drawbacks of this hybrid include:
- uneven growth in open hanging baskets, making aesthetic arrangements challenging;
- difficulty maintaining shape due to numerous trailing stems;
- irregular bud distribution—sometimes clustered in one area and sparse in another.
The hybrid is highly resistant to rot and fungal diseases, making it suitable for cultivation in various European climates.
Varieties
The Gioconda F1 petunia comes in multiple forms beyond its diverse colors.
Multiflora Trailing Cascade
Reviews of the Gioconda multiflora trailing cascade petunia are overwhelmingly positive. Flowers come in purple, scarlet, salmon, and neon hues. This variety is ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and open gardens. Its sturdy, densely branched stems adapt quickly to temperature fluctuations. Resistant to rot, it is often used in open ground for floral carpets.
Mini
The Gioconda Mini features small flowers that bloom from the center outward. It is rain- and wind-resistant, with evergreen leaves that never yellow.
Baby
This variety retains all Gioconda traits but has smaller bushes and flowers. Color options include red, purple, blue, white, and red-white mixes. Ideal for flower beds and container gardening.
Miniflora
Abundant flowering results from intense branching. Blooms last 12 months, with plants spreading up to 1 m in diameter. Bush height: 25–30 cm. Flowers are light blue, 5 cm each.
Multiflora
The Gioconda multiflora retains hybrid characteristics with diverse shades: blue, white, white-blue, white-purple, purple, red, white-yellow, and fuchsia.
Ocean Symphony
Petunia Ocean Symphony F1 is a hybrid series with dense, cascading stems covered in blooms. Flowering begins in early June and continues until the first frost. Stem length: 80–100 cm.
This hybrid is perfect for multi-tiered displays. Large white and blue flowers create stunning compositions. Planting seedlings 30 cm apart encourages upward growth (20 cm), forming elegant mounds. A 60 cm spacing produces long, uniform carpets for rock gardens or alpine slides.
Gioconda Supercascade White
Gioconda Supercascade White, Fortunia type, is a unique hybrid with a powerful cascade of greenery and flowers. Its rapid growth fills a 1 m diameter space. Blooms are so dense they obscure the foliage, lasting until frost.
Planting 30 cm apart creates a 20 cm tall "pillow" of white flowers. Strong stems maintain shape all season. At 60 cm spacing, stems form a 1 m wide carpet. Ideal for hanging baskets and balcony boxes, where trailing stems create a floral waterfall.
Saturn Blue
The Saturn Blue F1 variety features numerous sky-blue flowers. It’s perfect for garden beds, terraces, balconies, and patios. Compact bushes (20 cm tall) spread into colorful 1 m carpets.
Star Mix
This hybrid boasts stunning flowers: purple with delicate white veins. It exhibits vigorous branching and continuous blooming. Star Mix suits open-ground floral carpets (1 m wide), hanging baskets, and balcony planters.
Growing Gioconda Petunias
Gioconda is low-maintenance and highly adaptable, delivering spectacular results with proper care. For long trailing stems, space seedlings 60 cm apart; for cascades, 30 cm.
Use fertile soil mixed with humus and sand (3:1:1). The substrate should be loose and aerated for optimal root health. Ideal pH: 6.5–7. Test with litmus paper; adjust with dolomite flour or slaked lime if needed.
Note. The black-and-yellow Gioconda thrives in any well-prepared soil.
Care includes:
- selecting a sunny location for beds or pots;
- regular watering and fertilization;
- pest and disease protection.
Petunias prefer full sun (minimum 11 hours daily). For prolific blooms, maintain temperatures at +20…+22°C.
Gioconda tolerates drought better than overwatering. Water weekly in mild weather and twice daily (morning/evening) in heat.
Use balanced fertilizers with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus (e.g., Compo, Substral, or Wuxal) every 2 weeks.
Flowers are sensitive to heavy rain and wind. Remove damaged blooms gently; new ones will emerge quickly. Keep soil loose and weed-free in open beds.
Gioconda has strong disease resistance. Chlorosis may occur from hard water; prevent it with iron-rich supplements.
For spider mites, rinse with water and dust with sulfur. Aphids succumb to soapy water with nicotine sulfate. Whiteflies are controlled with permethrin. Treat every 3 days.
Testimonials
Gardeners adore Gioconda F1’s lavish blooms and recommend it for balconies, patios, and gardens.
Sophie, Lyon: “I sowed my first Gioconda Baby Blue Miniflora last summer and was amazed. It bloomed nonstop until frost. Faded flowers were constantly replaced by new buds.”
Claire, Brussels: “I’ve grown Gioconda for years and urge everyone to try it. It’s undemanding—just water and feed. I sow seeds directly in pots, and the vigorous growth astounds me. Branches overflow with blooms, creating cascades or ground carpets.”
Elise, Berlin: “Gioconda’s hardiness and beauty won me over. Scarlet, blue, purple, white, and orange flowers adorn my balcony. It blooms endlessly, unfazed by heat or cold. My favorite is the Baby Miniflora—tiny flowers on long stems.”
Conclusion
The trailing cascade Gioconda petunia is a beloved hybrid for its relentless blooms and easy care. It endures temperatures from +40°C to –8°C, perfect for gardens, patios, and balconies. Maintenance involves moderate watering, feeding, and soil aeration.