Hello! We Calibrachoa, often called "Million Bells," are vibrant and prolific flowering plants. To keep us thriving and cascading with blooms, understanding our watering needs is paramount. From our perspective, it's not about a rigid schedule but about providing consistent moisture that caters to our specific growing conditions.
Our root systems are relatively fine and dense. We perform our best when our soil is kept consistently moist. Think of it like a perfectly wrung-out sponge—it feels damp to the touch but not dripping wet. This environment allows our roots to easily uptake both water and the crucial nutrients we need to support our massive flowering display. The moment our soil is allowed to completely dry out, we experience severe stress. This stress signals us to shut down non-essential functions, primarily flower production, and we will wilt dramatically. Repeated drying will lead to yellowing leaves, dropped buds, and a sparse, unhappy plant.
You cannot water us on a fixed schedule (e.g., every other day) because our water consumption rate changes based on several external factors. You must check on us regularly by feeling the soil.
Weather and Temperature: On hot, sunny, and windy days, we lose a tremendous amount of water through our leaves and flowers (transpiration) and from the soil surface (evaporation). During a summer heatwave, we will likely need a thorough watering once, and sometimes even twice, a day. Conversely, on a cool, cloudy, or rainy day, we may not need any additional water at all.
Size and Location: We are often planted in hanging baskets or pots, which have limited soil volume compared to the ground. This means our root mass is confined, and we can deplete the available water quickly. A basket hanging in full sun will dry out exponentially faster than a pot in partial shade.
Stage of Growth: A young, newly planted Calibrachoa with a smaller root system may need more frequent, lighter waterings to establish. A mature, full plant in peak summer will demand deep, daily drinks.
The best way to understand our needs is to physically interact with us. Please do not just look from a distance. Once a day, ideally in the morning, stick your finger about one inch into the soil. If the top inch of soil feels dry, it is time to water us thoroughly. For a more precise method, you can lift the basket or pot. When we are fully hydrated, we are surprisingly heavy. After watering, lift us to learn our "heavy" weight. When we feel noticeably light, we need water.
When we are thirsty, please water us slowly and deeply. Apply water to the soil surface until you see it freely draining from the bottom drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball is hydrated. Avoid simply sprinkling our foliage, as this only dampens the surface and does not reach the roots where it's needed. Watering in the morning is ideal, as it allows our leaves to dry off in the sun, helping to prevent fungal diseases that thrive on damp foliage overnight.
