Its flowers may remind you of another plant: petunias. In fact, they are very related, so much so that our protagonist is known by the name of Petunia Calibrachoaalthough they belong to two different genres. In the same way, their colors are very bright, very happy.
You can have it both in a hanging pot and in the garden, where it will look great together with other flower plants. Discover how the calibrachoa is cared fora very useful plant to beautify any corner.
Characteristics of the Calibrachoa
The calibrachoa is a botanical genus of smallish perennialswhose height does not exceed 20 cm, originating in South America. They belong to the family Solanaceaeand the best known species, the Calibrachoa x Hybridis a hybrid created from species from Brazil.
Its leaves are small, oval, with a defined central veingreen in color, they are small and a little sticky to the touch. Its flowers, undoubtedly its main attraction, are trumpet-shaped, and can be single or double, yellow, red, pink or orange.
They sprout from spring to fall; that is you can enjoy its colors for nine monthsof their joy and are smaller than petunias.
They are perennials, however, in places where the climate is cold, they are usually grown as annuals. They are short, reaching a maximum of 30 centimeters highwhich makes them ideal for covering the floors of large planters and small gardens and also as a hanging plant.
The stems are provided with many branches which makes them always look very bushy. They are very heat tolerantIn fact, the greater the number of hours of light, the greater the flowering.
Care
Image – Flickr / -Merce-
If we talk about your care, it is a very grateful plant, but sensitive to cold. It can survive light frosts down to -2ºC, but if you live in an area with lower values, I recommend placing it inside the home, in a very bright room.
The rest of the year It should be located in an area where it is exposed to direct sunlightif possible all day.
The soil should be well drained and slightly acidic. In case you want to have it in a pot, it is advisable to use a universal substrate for plants mixed with 20% perlite or river sand.
It must always be kept slightly drysince it does not resist in the ponding. Therefore, irrigation has to be occasional, a maximum of 2 or 3 times a week.
Diseases of the calibrachoa
This type of plants is quite sensitive to root diseasesas well as those subjected to excessive irrigation, since this favors the appearance of pathogens.
If we go to the most common diseases, the Fusarium It is one of the first to appear when there is more humidity than the plant can bear. Others that usually affect the plant:
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Powdery mildew.
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Rhizoctonia.
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Phytophthora.
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Thielaviopsis.
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Phytium
Pests of the calibrachoa
Of the most common pests and also easy to detect and that usually attack this plant, we have the miner animalswhich are characterized by making small tunnels in the leaves, detectable when placed against the light.
It is recommended when it is widespread, to eliminate affected leaves and weeds.
Other pests that affect you:
Species
This genus is made up of about 32 species native to South AmericaOnly one of them, Calibrachoa parviflora, is also found in the southern United States, and in Mexico.
It should be noted that a good part of these species are used in the ornamental field, thanks to their characteristics and attractiveness.
The following are the best known species:
- Calcina calibrachoa.
- Calibrachoa eglandulata.
- Calibrachoa caesia.
- Calibrachoa dusenii.
- Calibrachoa linearis.
- Calibrachoa ericaefolia.
- Calibrachoa heterophylla.
- Excellent calibrachoas.
- Calibrachoa hassleriana.
- Calibracho apygmaea.
- Calibrachoa spathulata.
- Cellovian calibration.
- Calibrachoa rupestris.
Farming
There are two ways to grow this plant, one is for seeds and the other for cuttings.
Cultivation by seed
The seeds are treated in a hot tray, which consists of the following:
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Choose whether the crop will be in a pot or in the ground directly.
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In the substrate you must make a hole several centimeters deep.
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Choose a good compost, with which you are going to fill the hole, you immediately water it.
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In the same place you re-form the hole and that is when you proceed to place the seeds inside.
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Proceed to cover them with soil and compost, without exaggerating the amount and without compacting too much.
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Apply water again.
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Let the days go by until it germinates.
Cultivation by cutting
Experts say that the best option when growing the calibrachoa is through cuttings, and therefore, His first recommendation is that the process be carried out indoors.
You take a stem without a flower, but with shoots from the mother plant. Pay attention that it is at least six inches long, as well as to remove the leaves from the lowest part of it.
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Place the stem in a hole previously made in the substrate.
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Keep moist, but without puddling the soil.
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Provide a warm space within the home or growing area.
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Make sure it receives bright, natural light for several hours a day.
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Take into account the following recommendations before sowing these types of plants:
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The ideal growing season is spring.
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The perfect place for its development is where it has sunlight and is sheltered from the wind and rain.
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It needs iron, so the substrate must be treated with quality organic matter.
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When watering, do not wet the flowers and leaves, the irrigation is for the soil.
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Provides irrigation when the soil is dry.
Free-draining soil is the best for growing the plant, since they look very beautiful in pots and hanging basketsThey moderately tolerate drought and very little cold or superficial frosts.
Its development once planted, is usually very fastrequires good sunlight for generous floweringFor this reason, those that are planted in the semi-shade generate flowers in less quantity.
In spring and summer, nthe substrate needs to be fertilized with a liquid and natural fertilizerevery 15 days, since this favors a rich and abundant flowering.
From
The calibrachoa is native to South American countries, such as Chile, Brazil or Peru. Some species can be found in Mexico and the southern United States.
Uses
The use given to the calibrachoa is as an ornamental plant, since the variety of colors of its flowers and the abundant bouquets are perfect to provide attractiveness to the garden, terrace or space where you have them located.
It is also used as an annual plant, to be placed in hanging pots or, failing that, as plants that cover the entire ground. They are used to grow in gardens for interior decoration and in pots.
And it is that they are ideal for gardens, since their bright colors stand out, they are also perfect to have them in pots, since they bloom from the end of winter and prevail until the fall. Its use is not indicated, as an edible or as a natural medicine.
