Greetings, dedicated caretaker. We are Calibrachoa, often called "Million Bells" for the countless petite, trumpet-shaped blooms we joyously produce. To help us thrive and shower you with color from spring until frost, please attend to our core needs of water, light, and nourishment. Here is our perspective on ideal care.
Our relationship with water is one of nuanced balance. We are not drought-tolerant succulents, nor are we water-loving bog plants. Our root systems are fine and relatively shallow, making us susceptible to both desiccation and suffocation. The goal is consistently moist, but never waterlogged, soil. Please test the medium with your finger; when the top inch feels dry to the touch, it is time for a deep, thorough drink. Water us slowly at the base until it runs freely from the drainage holes—this encourages our roots to grow deep and strong. Avoid overhead watering that drenches our foliage and blooms, as this can invite fungal diseases that mar our beauty and compromise our health.
We are solar-powered flowering machines. To fuel our incredible blooming potential, we require an abundance of direct sunlight. From our perspective, a minimum of six hours of full, unfiltered sun is non-negotiable for robust health and prolific flowering. Eight or more hours is even better. In insufficient light, our stems become leggy as we desperately stretch searching for the sun, our foliage spacing widens, and our flower production slows to a trickle. We simply cannot photosynthesize enough energy to support our trademark floral show in deep shade. For the most vibrant display, please place us in a location where we can bask in the sun's rays for the majority of the day.
Producing a constant cascade of blooms is an energetically expensive endeavor for us. The nutrients available in our initial potting mix are quickly depleted. Without regular replenishment, our growth will stall, and our flowering will diminish significantly. We require a consistent supply of a balanced fertilizer, but with a particular emphasis on phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio), which directly supports bud and flower development. A water-soluble fertilizer formulated for blooming plants, applied every one to two weeks according to the package instructions, is ideal. Alternatively, a slow-release fertilizer mixed into our soil at planting will provide a steady stream of nutrients. This consistent feeding is the essential fuel that powers our endless summer performance.
