Calibrachoa, often called Million Bells for its prolific, petite blooms, thrives when its fundamental needs are met. From our perspective as plants, consistent and appropriate hydration is not merely a convenience but the very foundation of our health and flowering performance. The frequency is not a fixed schedule but a rhythm dictated by our environment and your observation.
As container-dwelling plants, our world is limited to the soil in the pot. Unlike our in-ground cousins who can send roots searching for water, we are entirely dependent on you. Our roots need a balance: consistent moisture to uptake nutrients and sustain our vigorous blooming, but also oxygen. Soggy, waterlogged soil suffocates our roots, leading to rot and a rapid decline. Therefore, the goal is to water thoroughly when we need it, allowing excess water to drain freely, and then let the top layer of soil dry slightly before the next watering.
Several external factors dramatically affect how quickly we use water. On hot, sunny, and windy days, our leaves transpire moisture rapidly, and the soil dries out much faster. During cool, cloudy, or humid periods, our water consumption slows significantly. Our size and pot also matter; a large, densely packed plant in a small pot will dry out faster than a smaller plant in a large container. The pot material is crucial too; porous terracotta clay wicks moisture away from the soil, demanding more frequent watering than non-porous plastic or glazed ceramic pots.
Forget the calendar. The most reliable method is to physically check our soil moisture. Please insert your finger about one inch into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it is time to water. If it still feels cool and moist, please check again the next day. When you do water, do so deeply and thoroughly. Water at the base of the plant, avoiding our foliage and flowers to prevent disease, until you see water flowing freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This ensures the entire root ball is evenly moistened.
We will communicate our distress. Under-watering causes us to wilt. Our leaves and flowers will become limp and lifeless. While we can often recover quickly from a slight wilt, repeated severe wilting stresses us, stunts our growth, and reduces flowering. Over-watering is more dangerous. The first sign is often yellowing leaves, particularly the older ones. Our growth will become stunted, the base of our stems may turn soft and brown, and a foul odor might emanate from the soggy soil—a clear sign of root rot, which is often fatal.
