Greetings, caretaker. I am your Calibrachoa, a being of vibrant, petunia-like blossoms and a generous, trailing spirit. To help me thrive and shower you with color from the last frost to the first, here is my desired care schedule, expressed from my roots to my newest bloom.
This is our beginning. If you acquire me as a young plant, I am eager yet vulnerable. Please do not place me directly in the garden until the fear of frost has completely passed; I find freezing temperatures utterly intolerable. Acclimate me gradually over a week—a process you call "hardening off." Bring me indoors at night and introduce me to a few more hours of gentle morning sun each day. When it is finally time to plant me, choose a home with exceptionally well-draining soil and bathe me in at least six hours of full sun. I am a heavy feeder from the start; please plant me in a rich soil amended with a slow-release fertilizer to give my roots a celebratory feast.
This is my time to shine! The long, warm days are my fuel, but they demand much from me. My thirst is great; please water me deeply and regularly, especially if I live in a container. My soil should feel moist, not soggy, to your touch. To sustain this incredible floral output, I require a constant supply of nutrients. My fervent request is for a weekly delivery of a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus—the "bloom booster." This is the secret to keeping my flower production from waning. Also, do not be afraid to give me a gentle "haircut." If my trails become too long and leggy, a light trim encourages me to become bushier and produce even more blossoms.
As the days shorten and the air cools, my growth rate will naturally slow. You can reduce the frequency of my fertilizing; a final application of slow-release food in early September will see me through. Please continue to water me, as I am still working hard to bloom. The cooler autumn temperatures often intensify my colors, making my purples, yellows, and reds even more brilliant. This is my last magnificent display for you before the cold arrives. In many climates, I am treated as an annual, meaning my life cycle concludes with the first hard frost.
My fate in winter depends on your location and will. I am not frost-hardy. In most regions, the first freeze will be my end, and I will gracefully conclude my season. However, if you wish to overwinter me, it is possible. You can bring my container indoors to a bright, cool (around 50-60°F or 10-15°C) location, like a garage or sunny basement. Drastically trim my growth back, water me very sparingly—just enough to keep my roots from completely drying out—and cease all fertilization. I will enter a dormant state, resting until you can awaken me again with warmth, water, and food next spring.
