From our perspective, the very beginning of our life with you is the most critical. We despise having our roots sit in water; it is a death sentence for us, leading to rot and a swift, sad demise. Please, provide us with a lightweight, well-draining potting mix. A blend designed for hanging baskets or one amended with perlite or vermiculite is perfect. This ensures our roots can breathe easily and access water without being drowned. The container itself must have ample drainage holes. A cramped, soggy home is a nightmare for us, but a spacious, airy one sets the stage for a spectacular display of gratitude.
Our relationship with water is a delicate dance. We are thirsty plants, but we are not aquatic. During the peak of summer's heat, we will likely need a drink every single day. The best way to check is to feel the soil a few inches down. If it feels dry to the touch, it is time for a deep, thorough watering until you see it run freely from the bottom of the basket. Watering in the morning is ideal, as it allows our foliage to dry before the cooler evening, helping us avoid fungal diseases. Please do not let us wilt severely, as the stress can weaken us and make us more susceptible to pests.
Producing thousands of vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms is an energy-intensive endeavor for us. We are heavy feeders and require regular nourishment to sustain this magnificent performance. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every one to two weeks is ideal. Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer mixed into our soil at planting time, which will provide a steady supply of nutrients. Think of it as our primary fuel source. Without it, our growth will stall, our green leaves may yellow, and our blooming will become sparse. A well-fed Calibrachoa is a happy and prolific one.
We are sun-worshippers at heart. To thrive and produce our best floral display, we require a minimum of six hours of direct, full sun each day. The more sun you can provide us, the more we will reward you with a dense, cascading curtain of color. While we can tolerate a bit of very light shade, too much will cause us to become leggy as we stretch desperately for light, and our flowering will significantly diminish. Place our hanging basket in the brightest spot you have, and watch us revel in the warmth and light.
While we are naturally prolific, a little grooming, or "deadheading," can be beneficial. As our individual flowers begin to fade and wither, gently pinch or snip them off. This simple act tells us to redirect our energy away from producing seeds and towards creating even more beautiful blooms. If we ever start to look a bit tired or leggy in the mid-summer heat, do not be afraid to give us a light trim, cutting back about a third of our growth. This might seem drastic, but it invigorates us and encourages a fresh, bushy flush of growth and flowers.
