Petunias are indeed heavy feeders, especially if you have them growing in pots and containers in which they should be fertilized regularly throughout the growing season. It depends what ratio of fertilizer you are using, look for a higher middle number such as Miracle Gro 15-30-15 or better yet 10-52-10. Regardless if they look healthy, I would start pinching or cutting back every other stem every other day, this will generate new growth and more blooms all season long. Sharon

the word shade really means nothing ... we need to know.. how many hours of direct sun actually will hit the plant but even if none.... how bright is the space... e.g. i have full sun plants thriving in no direct sun.. but no overhanging canopy.. yet still very bright ... so demand a shade loving plant.. reduces your selection significantly ;... i dont understand the pic.. and why you are duplicating it.. the plant in the center of the windows is at least 3 to 5 feet too close to the house ... so why would you want to duplicate it??? all that said.. look to weeping trees.. and weeping conifers .... trees dont really stop growing at some magical height.. so if you want to avoid a pruning nightmare ... avoid such ... are you doing this professionally... or is signif other making demands ... ??? ken

Likely it needs light. Also ease back on the water now that you've brought it inside and give it a good haircut [less for the roots to support]. You can try rooting the resultant cuttings in water in case the plant goes. Leave a few leaves on the plant, tho, and put by a window that gets very good sun. It -will- look lanky until you can get it back outside. Or, you can get a gro bulb[s] and rig something up if a sunny window isn't available. I use floor lamps with the multiple swivel heads [purchased inexpensively at wallyworld] to carry everything that has to be brought in during the winter. Make sure the lamp is properly rated for the bulb[s] if you go this route.

Yes, fire does kill aphids. I doubt you'll have an issue with them on that particular plant again. However, if you actually want to keep the plants in the future... =) A good blast with the hose will knock them off, and then they can't find their way back up to the plant again and will die. Even colonies like you described can be handled effectively in this way, and it beats pesticides or destroying the plant. I've also heard of some people who buy and release ladybugs in their yard, although I haven't tried this myself. But these pests are so easily handled that a pesticide is really an unnecessary step. As you say, why risk harming the hummers (or yourself and your family/pets, for that matter!)? Incidentally, anyone know if hummers eat aphids?