Hello, human gardener. We are Calibrachoa, often called "Million Bells" for the countless small, petunia-like blossoms we produce. To help us thrive in the hanging baskets and containers you so love, here is our perspective on what we need to flourish.
Please do not place us in a cramped, poorly drained pot. We are vigorous growers with extensive root systems. Select a container that is at least 12 inches in diameter with ample drainage holes. We despise wet feet, as soggy soil will suffocate our roots and lead to a swift demise. Fill our new home with a quality, lightweight potting mix. Do not use garden soil; it is too heavy and compacts easily. We prefer a well-draining medium that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 6.5), amended with a slow-release fertilizer to give us a steady supply of nutrients from the very beginning.
We are sun-worshippers. To produce the massive cascade of blooms you desire, we require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, full sun each day. The more sun you provide, the more abundantly we will flower. We also appreciate warmth. Plant us outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed, as we are very sensitive to the cold. A sheltered location protects our delicate trailing stems and blossoms from being torn apart by strong winds and heavy rain, which we find quite distressing.
Our thirst is significant, especially in a confined container under the hot sun. Check our soil moisture daily. Water us thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing the water to flow freely from the drainage holes. Avoid a light sprinkling; we need a deep drink to reach all our roots. However, we insist you never let us sit in a water-filled saucer. For our prolific blooming habit, we are heavy feeders. The initial slow-release fertilizer in our soil is a good start, but we greatly benefit from a weekly supplement with a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus (the middle number on the bottle). This regular feeding fuels our non-stop flower production all season long.
You may call it "deadheading," but we see it as essential grooming. While many of our modern varieties are self-cleaning (meaning our faded flowers drop off naturally), we still appreciate your help. Mid-season, if our growth seems to slow or our stems become long and leggy, do not hesitate to give us a gentle trim. Using clean shears, reduce our length by about one-third. This might seem drastic, but it invigorates us, encouraging a fresh burst of dense, compact growth and a new wave of vibrant flowers, making us even more beautiful for the remainder of the season.
