Features of care and cultivation of calibrachoa. Calibrachoa: how to keep it at home in winter, is it possible to bring it into the basement and what conditions are needed for the plant to survive until spring

Calibrachoa - a flower that relatively recently began to appear in our flower beds - nevertheless managed to catch the fancy of many gardeners and flower growers with its colorful flowering. Growing and caring for calibrachoa, we assure you, will be a joy to you. You can learn all the nuances that you need to consider from this article. And you can easily grow this amazing flower in your flower bed or balcony without any difficulties.

Preparing to land at home

Calibrachoa is so similar to petunia, but this different flowers and their care varies. At home, this plant is grown in pots: both on the balcony and in the apartment.

Location selection

Choose a place to place a flower pot in a well-lit room. Calibrachoa is very fond of light, but does not tolerate drafts. Therefore, if this plant is planted in flowerpots, hanging boxes, or flower pots, then you need to arrange and hang them in places where there are no drafts - where the flower will be reliably protected from the wind. If the flower grows in hanging boxes or pots on a balcony without a roof, then during heavy rain you will need to bring the pot into the room or under a canopy.

Pot selection and soil preparation

There is a wide variety of shapes and materials on the market. flower pots, wisely choosing and alternating which, you can create beautiful mini-gardens with calibrachoa of different colors.

When choosing a pot for a future plant, you need to consider that 3-5 liters of land are needed for one caliberhoa bush. Most often, gardeners use containers and flowerpots with a volume of five and seven liters. Too large and "pot-bellied" pot is not needed, the root system of the plant simply will not be able to master it. But you need to remember that the smaller the dishes, the smaller the caliberhoa bush will grow.

A flower pot must be chosen taking into account where it will be located. If you need a container for open balcony, it is better to give preference plastic pots and boxes. Moisture in them lasts longer in hot weather and does not evaporate through the walls. At the same time, the soil warms up well, and this has a very positive effect on the growth of the root system.

“If a plant in a pot is placed in direct sunlight, the soil will overheat, which will negatively affect the growth of the flower and cause burns on the leaves. Therefore, for protection, you need to put a flower pot in a wider planter. At the same time, the volume of circulation will increase significantly, which will avoid overheating of the earth.”

Another plus of plastic pots is that they are light and practical - more flowers will fit on the windowsill. The plant prefers loose and fertile soil. To improve the quality of planting land, vermiculite is added. You can use organic fertilizers such as compost and humus.

Fresh manure is not added when planting, because the flower will get sick and die - the plant does not like acidic soils. These need to be deoxidized, for this they use fluffy lime or dolomite flour. Also, for good growth and flowering, they add to the soil mineral fertilizers: superphosphate and phosphorus-potassium.

Gardening stores sell special land for flower crops. Remember, the purchased land must be loose, contain peat, perlite and vermiculite. For prevention planting material treated with a fungicide solution, for example, in Fitosporin. It prevents the appearance of fungal diseases of the flower. Drainage should be placed in flowerpots and planters. It will ensure the outflow of excess water from the roots and will not allow them to rot, in case of overflow.

Tip: “Calibrachoa is easy to fill when watering, thereby provoking root rotting with excessive dampness of the soil, so you can’t do without drainage in pots.”

For drainage, use medium-sized pebbles or buy ready-made drainage in a store. It is laid on the bottom of the pot with a layer of 3 cm, covered with sand from above, and only then - necessary quantity prepared soil.

Landing dates

Calibrachoa seeds are sown around the same period as petunia. Optimal time for sowing - February or early March. Cuttings can be planted all spring.

If you grow seedlings from seeds, then you need to constantly spray the soil, preventing it from becoming covered with a dry crust. For less evaporation, a film is stretched over the boxes with planted seeds.

When the daytime temperature returns to normal and settles at around 22 ° C, the plant is transplanted to permanent place into the garden or take out pots and boxes to the balcony.

Selection and preparation of planting material

To increase the number of seedlings from seeds, various germination-stimulating preparations are used. To do this, the seeds are soaked for a day, and then dried on a paper towel. But this option does not guarantee 100% germination.

Landing methods and techniques

Prepared seeds are planted to a depth of half a centimeter in moist soil. Then the container is covered with glass or film until sprouts appear, not forgetting to spray the crops twice a day. It is impossible to bring pots with planted seeds in a dark place, otherwise the shoots of caliberchoa can not wait. The plant loves the sun and grows only in the light. But direct rays are also undesirable.

Water the shoots that have appeared only with settled warm water. It is most convenient to grow a culture by cuttings. With seeds you have to tinker more. Most interesting adult plants look in hanging pots and flowerpots - after all, the length of the stems in an adult caliberhoa reaches one and a half meters. Therefore this garden flower used for vertical gardening of loggias and estates.

Tip: "The plant does not like too much frequent watering and easily tolerates the most arid summer periods. This is another reason to grow this beautiful and delicate flower.”

Caring for Calibrachoa at Home

The basic care for any variety of caliberchoa consists of five points.

1. Good lighting.
2. Properly prepared soil.
3. Sufficient nutrition.
4. Draft protection.
5. Sufficient, but not excessive watering.

It does not matter where exactly to grow this flower: on a loggia, in an apartment or in the open field, the main thing is that the place is well lit. The second important factor is watering the plant. If it is regular, sufficient, then the flower will easily cope with any heat. But during drought, burning bright light can harm the flower. Shaded places are completely contraindicated for calibrachoa. A plant with a lack of light stops blooming, loses its bright green color leaves and begins to wither, and may even die. Wind protection is also an important part of care. The plant must be protected from drafts and gusts of wind.

In addition, lamps are placed at home additional light to support right conditions illumination and temperature conditions.

Lighting, temperature and humidity

The landing temperature outdoors must be at least 20°C. The plant is afraid of strong heat, that is, the sun is definitely not suitable for a flower. The best option there will be a place for landing, where the sun's rays warm the earth equally: both in the morning and in the evening.

Tip: "You can not leave the flower in the open air at temperatures below 12 ° C."

For caliberchoa, moderate or slightly high humidity air. If the heat lasts too long, then water containers are placed around the flower to humidify the air. In winter, by the way, too.

top dressing

Top dressing is carried out once every two weeks, not more often, and it is better to use complex fertilizers, then you don’t have to guess which trace elements of caliberchoa are missing. Spraying is combined with foliar fertilizer, most often a solution is used for this. succinic acid. Thanks to this, the plant blooms rapidly and continuously.

Watering

In the summer heat, spraying is carried out at least twice a day. For normal growth, flowering and development, the flower needs slightly moist soil. But it is worth recalling that pouring water is not worth it. In addition, this fragile plant does not tolerate heavy rains, which, if prolonged, can completely stop the flowering of caliberchoa.

Pinching

To improve the flowering of an adult plant, it is necessary to pinch the caliberchoa above the fifth leaf - this will stimulate the appearance of side shoots. Then the plant will long time to please the owner with gentle and bright inflorescences. You can re-pinch after 14 days, but not necessary.

Calibrachoa pruning

Bushes are formed to preserve a long period of decorativeness and beauty of the flower, as well as the duration of flowering. To do this, pruning is already withered inflorescences. So the plant will not waste energy on the seed and will use all its vitality for lush flowering.

Regular pinching and pruning of the long stems of the plant will allow the bushes to bloom all summer.

Wintering Calibrachoa

Wintering perennial hummingbird takes place indoors. If it is not possible to place the flower away from the heating radiator, it is covered. After two weeks of staying in the apartment, the caliberchoa stems are shortened by half and watering is reduced, no fertilizing is used. Some gardeners replace watering with abundant spraying. From cut shoots, you can get cuttings for new bushes, but only if the new plants are additionally lit. In this way, caliberchoa can be preserved in the winter and new plants can be obtained.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

This plant in the garden during the growing season runs the risk of attracting pests or getting sick. Most often, aphids, spider mites, thrips and whiteflies cause harm to caliberhoa. The plant is also threatened fungal diseases, For example:

• "blackleg";
• powdery mildew;
• root rot.

With a disease, the first thing to do is to reduce watering. Landings are treated with any fungicide. And to get rid of chlorosis, use fertilizers and top dressing, which contain iron.

Reproduction methods

propagate caliberchoa cuttings and seeds. More often, gardeners use the first method, it is less time consuming. Poor germination of seeds also encourages this.

Propagation of caliberchoa by cuttings

Propagation of caliberhoa by cuttings does not require special skills. Cuttings are cut from an adult bush. They should have at least 4-5 leaves. The leaves on the cuttings are cut off, leaving only the top two. For planting, light soil is used, cuttings are planted a third of the length into the ground. The distance between the cuttings should be at least two centimeters. Rooting cuttings takes at least two weeks.

Seed propagation of calibrachoa

Sow seeds for seedlings begin early, at the end of February. When sowing seeds, you need to be careful, in this flower they are small and easy to scatter. The loosened soil is moistened and seeds are scattered over the surface, slightly pressing them. Top sprayed with water and covered with a film or glass. In cold climates, it is difficult to get seedlings from the windowsill; for this, a lamp is placed above the seedling box. You can attach a description of the planted variety to the box so as not to forget.

Seedlings begin to dive in a month and a half, removing weak and thin shoots. Do not feel sorry for them: strong flowers with good flowering cannot be obtained from weak sprouts.

Popular Calibrachoa Varieties

Breeders have bred many different varietal series of Calibrachoa. The varieties differ from each other in the shape and color of the flowers. There are ordinary inflorescences, and there is also a terry caliberhoa. All characteristic differences depend on the variety, the flowers of the most large species vary in diameter from 3.5 to 4 cm.

Varietal series of calibrachoa "cabloom"

This varietal species in our places appeared the very first. Low bushes, no more than 25-30 cm, with abundant flowering. The color scheme of the inflorescences of this series is diverse: white, blue, yellow, dark pink.

Varietal series Calibrachoa Super Bells

The series includes eight varieties. Flowers up to 3.5 cm in diameter, the flower grows up to one meter. The color of the inflorescences varies, ranging from yellow to maroon. The variety is characterized by abundant flowering. It should also be noted that this series has a high resistance to diseases of the root system. Also, this species is resistant to bad weather events such as heavy rain and hail. Planting flowers goes in hanging planters, balcony boxes and pots, flowers can be used both in composite plantings and separately.

Varietal series Calibrachoa "million bells"

This is one of the most popular series. During flowering, it is so densely strewn with flowers that sometimes the leaves are almost invisible. Therefore, this series received such an unusual, but telling name. Mature bushes reach a height of up to one and a half meters. The series includes 18 varieties of various colors. As you can see, growing and caring for caliberchoa is elementary. And observing preventive measures, you will ensure that the perennial will delight with lush and long flowering for more than one year.

Good day to all readers!

Calibrachoa is a name that is probably familiar only to the most sophisticated flower growers. At the same time, the appearance of this flower will remind many of the very popular ampel form of petunias. Yes, these cultures have a lot of similarities, but there are also qualitative differences between them. It is not for nothing that calibrachoa is considered in our time separate view flower, and not one of the many varieties of petunia.

You can learn about what kind of plant it is, as well as the intricacies of planting and caring for it, from this material.

Calibrachoa refers to annual plants, most often planted in flowerpots and hanging planters to emphasize the spherical shape of this flower culture.

Flowers can hardly be called large - they are only 3 cm in diameter, but the unusual appearance of caliberchoa is created by their mind-blowing number: these balls are simply dotted with them from top to bottom.

Besides, in modern time breeders have bred many different colors of flowers (they just used to be exclusively purple), as well as forms - now there are also terry calibrachoa, which some may confuse with petunia-surfinia.

They differ, of course, in their most important part, the type of flower. Here we can conditionally distinguish the following groups:

"Cherry Star" - dark cherry with yellow veins

Tequila Sunrise - yellow with red veins

"Apricot Punch" - yellow with orange streaks

Grape Punch - purple with dark veins

"Pink Chiffon" with alternating pale pink color of the flower itself and dark crimson veins;

Petunias and Calibrachoa - Similarities and Differences

In order to better understand the features of the appearance and decorativeness of calibrachoa, you can compare it with the familiar petunia, or rather, highlight their differences.

1. The most interesting difference between these flowers is the hairiness of the leaves and shoots of caliberchoa, as well as their size: they are much smaller than those of petunias, and are about 3 cm long and 1 cm wide.
2. The petunia stem is green and flexible, while the caliberchoa tends to be woody.
3. As mentioned above, calibrachoa has a more violent flowering than petunia. Although due to the presence of a large number different varieties the last on the market, it is quite difficult to determine the difference on this basis.

Growing caliberchoa from seeds at home (step by step)

In order to grow this flower on your own, you should take into account the fact that caliberchoa seeds cannot boast of good germination. In this regard, it is recommended to purchase seeds with a margin for the fact that not all of them will sprout.

In addition, they are very small in size and for the convenience of sowing it is recommended to buy granular seeds, that is, having a special soluble shell. Of course, this situation also has its drawbacks: where is the guarantee that there is a seed in this shell?

If you can feel the loose seeds in a bag with your fingers or see them already when opening them, then in the case of granules it will not be possible to check their presence. So, growing seedlings of calibrachoa includes the following steps:

Preparing the land and seeds for planting

If the seeds were purchased non-granulated, then it is advisable to treat them with growth stimulants, soaking for a day in Epin or Zircon is most often used.

Also, for preventive purposes, it is recommended to treat the planting material in a fungicide solution, for example, in Fitosporin, which will prevent the possible occurrence of fungal diseases in the future, especially such an unpleasant one as the “black leg”.

Of course, seeds in granules cannot be soaked, because the shell will dissolve and there will be no meaning left in it. In addition, it is believed that the granulated seeds have already been processed in every possible way by the producer.

As a soil, you can use the earth compiled by yourself, or buy it in a specialized store. In the second case, you should pay attention to the composition of the soil. It should be loose and breathable, that is, contain peat, perlite, vermiculite.

If land was brought home from the site, then the soil can be compiled by yourself. To do this, mix peat, garden soil, compost and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 0.5, respectively.

In addition, mineral fertilizers are added: superphosphate and phosphorus-potassium.

If sowing is done in peat tablets, then they must be soaked in advance in a box until completely swollen.

If the dive of seedlings of caliberhoa is not implied, then the planting of seeds is already in a permanent place. In this regard, in flowerpots, planters, boxes, it is necessary to put drainage to drain excess water during irrigation.

The fact is that calibrachoa is very easy to “overflow”, that is, to provoke rotting of seedlings by excessive watering. For this reason, good drainage is essential.

You can use medium-sized river pebbles or purchased drainage, lay on the bottom of a pot or box with a layer of about 3 ... 4 cm, then fill it with sand (1 ... 2 cm) on top, and only after that you can lay the soil in the container.

Sowing seeds, when to plant for seedlings

Calibrachoa is planted at about the same time as petunia: in late February - early March.

In this case, the landing site plays an important role:

• if there is no transplant, then there are 70 ... 80 seeds per 10 cm 2 of the container (due to their poor germination)
• if a pick is planned, then it is advisable to sow much less often, so that later it would be convenient to plant the sprouts in separate pots.

Calibrachoa seeds are sown to a depth of 0.5 cm in well-drained soil. Then landing capacity covered with glass until sprouts appear. It is impossible to bring it into a dark place for this period, caliberchoa sprouts only in the light, but it is undesirable to allow direct sunlight to fall on it.

Daily wetting of the earth is mandatory, but only with a spray gun (a jet from a watering can can wash the seeds). Water must be settled.

The first shoots will appear on the surface in 10 ... 14 days at an average air temperature in the room of +22 0 С.

After germination, the glass is removed, watering is reduced, and the temperature is slightly lowered.

In order for the seedlings of calibrachoa to turn out strong and healthy, it is necessary to ensure the following conditions during its growth:

• timely watering. When the seedlings are still quite fresh, watering is done from a spray bottle. Do not allow an excess of moisture, but allow the soil to dry out. Of course, its cracking is also undesirable;
• top dressing. Calibrachoa seedlings are very responsive to liquid feeding. It is better to conduct them with complex water-soluble fertilizers. Plants are equally good at root and foliar dressings;
• temperature regulation. It should be about 20 0 C. If the street has already been installed good weather with such a temperature, then you can begin to take out boxes with seedlings, flowerpots and flowerpots into fresh air;
• ventilation. It is necessary to prevent the appearance of root rot and blackleg disease. However, it must be remembered that calibrachoa does not tolerate drafts and strong winds.

The seat for calibrachoa should be well lit, as the culture is very photophilous.

The soil prefers loose and fertile, so vermiculite and nitrophoska can be added to it before planting. From organic fertilizers compost and manure are recommended.

Under no circumstances should you add fresh manure- seedlings get sick!

As mentioned earlier, this plant does not like acidic soils, therefore, if necessary, it is deoxidized with lime or dolomite flour.

If the calibrachoa was planted in a permanent place in flowerpots, hanging boxes and planters, then it is preferable to place them in places protected from the wind and bring them under the roof during heavy heavy rains.

Basically, this flower culture is not whimsical. It needs moderate watering, which is done under the root, while trying not to fall on the flowers. For the density and decorativeness of flowering, it is necessary to carry out phosphorus-potassium top dressing weekly.

Diseases and pests

The most common pests of caliberhoa are aphids, whiteflies, spider mite and thrips. To combat them, the means "Intavir", "Fitoverm", "Fufanon" are used.

Their advantage is their complexity.: even if the gardener cannot determine for sure which particular pest has settled on his plantings, then the use of the drug from a whole complex of these comrades increases the chances of saving the plantings.

Calibrachoa throughout growing season may get sick. Frequent diseases are precisely fungal, for example, "black leg" and powdery mildew, as well as chlorosis.

In all cases, the first step is to reduce watering. In the event of a fungal disease, it is necessary to treat the plantings with any fungicide. To treat chlorosis, you need to stock up on fertilizers and dressings containing iron.

This method of propagation of caliberhoa is less laborious than sowing seeds. In this case, it is necessary to cut cuttings with 4 ... 5 leaves from the mother bush, leave only the top two and shorten them by half.

Plant the material in light soil for ¼ of the entire length of the cutting, leaving a distance of 2 cm between adjacent cuttings. At least two weeks must pass before the cuttings take root well.

How to save in winter

1. moderate watering
2. good illumination
3. air temperature not less than 10 0 С

1. Calibrachoa, growing in flowerpots and pots, needs more frequent feeding than plants in open ground, as it has a limited amount of land, the nutrients in which run out quite quickly.
2. The use of hydrogel in planters and flowerpots is undesirable.
3. The most suitable for planting calibrachoa are shallow containers with low walls.
4. For the best bushiness and flowering, it is necessary to pinch the caliberchoa over the fifth leaf. You can re-pinch after 14 days, but not necessary.

Calibrachoa, how to grow a beautiful bush. We grow it right: video

A relative of petunias, calibrachoa (calibrochia) is gradually gaining popularity among flower growers. Apart from abundant flowering, attract uncomplicated care process interesting flower. Let's get acquainted in more detail with calibrachoa - varieties, methods of reproduction and the intricacies of growing.

Description

Outwardly, the flower is very similar to petunia, because for a long time it was believed that this is one and the same plant. In 1990, scientists separated them into different genera, the reason being the genetic difference. Petunia DNA contains 14 chromosomes, caliberchoa - 18.

The external differences of calibrachoa are obvious:

• the base of the corolla is painted yellow;
• leaflets 1 cm wide in length do not exceed 4 cm;
• the structure of the strong stem is woody, it looks like a young shoot of a shrub;
• flowers of calibrachoa are smaller, usually 3 cm, their number is much greater.

Calibrachoa is often sold under the name "ampel petunia" or "surfinia". In order not to be mistaken, pay attention to the details:

• flower size - up to 3 cm;
• the color of the throat of the flower is yellow;
• the stem is strong, dense.

Popular varieties

The following varieties of calibrachoa are most popular:

• Million Bells - the most extensive line of varieties, includes 18 items that differ in the color of the rims;
• Cabaret includes 12 forms, the predominant color of the flowers is white, the branches grow to a length of more than a meter;
• Kablum - the owner of rich blue bell flowers, the length of the shoots is up to half a meter;
• Mini Famous Double Pink - a ruler with large ones (about 4 cm) double flowers painted in various shades of pink. Shoot length - up to 70 cm;
• Noa - variety series of two-color calibrachoa from 6 items; the central part and the base of the petals are different from the main tone, the length of the branches is up to 50 cm;
• Bells - 8 positions, the color of the flowers of the variety series varies from yellow-orange to rich burgundy. Branches grow up to 1 m.

Calibrachoa is grown as ampelous plant, although it is not. But long flexible shoots sloping down allow you to make cascading compositions in hanging planters.

How to grow caliberchoa?

Calibrachoa is grown as an ampelous plant using flowerpots large sizes, hanging planters, baskets, balcony boxes. Less commonly, a flower is planted in open ground - in an ordinary flower bed it is difficult to protect it from winds, drafts and precipitation.

Location and lighting

Calibrachoa - whether it grows in a pot or in a flower bed - requires certain conditions.

1. The sun's rays should illuminate the plant in the morning or before sunset. The midday sun burns the leaves, at this time it is recommended to shade the flowers. The optimal location is the south or southeast direction.
2. Protection from the wind, which can cause a strong cooling of the soil and roots, “kill” the decorative effect of the aerial part - break the shoots, dishevel a beautiful hat delicate flowers. Drafts are highly undesirable.

Calibrachoa leaves and flowers are sensitive to water falling from above, so it is advisable to place plants under canopies that protect from rain.

Soil composition and planting capacity

Calibrachoa loves loams and sandstones, but is not capricious on other soils. The main thing is the fertility and friability of the substrate, the pH is neutral or slightly acidic. To increase fertility, the soil mixture is supplemented with a small amount of slowly soluble fertilizers.

Optimal composition:

• peat;
• humus;
• sod land;
• sand.

The volume of the container is calculated by the number of plants planted in it - at least 3 liters for each.

Drainage is required: caliberhoa is negatively related to moisture stagnation. Experts recommend adding hydrogel to the substrate - it will take all the excess water, and then gradually return it to the soil.

Care

Lush long flowering of calibrachoa is achieved by following the rules of care. Let's get acquainted with all the subtleties.

Watering

Plants are watered moderately - it is easier for a flower to develop in dry soil than in waterlogged soil. After watering, the substrate should be slightly damp. The best time- early morning or light twilight.

Much more important is the spraying of calibrachoa. She reacts to humid air with greater gratitude. With a finely dispersed sprayer, the plant is moistened daily, on hot days - 3-4 times a day.

Spray only when the plant is not under the sun. At the same time, the root parts are protected from moisture.

top dressing

Feed the flowers weekly, using complex fertilizers. When choosing complexes, it is important to consider that when planting, a plant needs more nitrogen, for lush flowering- potassium and phosphorus.

If the development of calibrachoa has slowed down, growth stimulants are added to top dressing.

For feeding, you can use complexes for petunias, in this respect they have the same tastes.

Formation

Calibrachoa shoots grow fast, support nice shape the bush can be done by pruning and pinching the shoots.

1. Pinching is done even when growing seedlings, stimulating the formation of side shoots.
2. The first pruning in time is associated with the end of the flowering of the first flowers - as soon as the petals begin to fade, the flowers are cut off, allowing the plant to direct its forces to the formation of new shoots and buds.
3. In the middle of summer, the shoots are drastically cut off, shortening them by about half. Dry, diseased, broken twigs and leaves are removed regularly, as they appear.

Calibrachoa tolerates pruning easily, almost immediately starting to build up a replacement - fresh, bright, with buds.

Wintering

Calibrachoa - perennial, in winter it is kept in a state of semi-rest, transferred to a room with a temperature of + 10–12 ° С. Water sparingly during this period, top dressing is not required.

It is noticed that after wintering, the flower seems to lose its vitality, it grows poorly, the number of buds decreases. Usually winter holidays used for cutting and rooting cuttings.

reproduction

The most common planting seeds and cuttings. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Growing from seed

Taking up the cultivation of caliberhoa from seeds, one must take into account the fact that the offspring grown from self-collected seed, in most cases, will not look like their parent. Instead of a bush with pink double flowers, for example, a wild can grow with tiny, few lilac flowers. Guaranteed beautiful, magnificent flowering bush grown from "professional" seeds purchased in specialized stores.

Calibrachoa seedlings need careful care, as they are very vulnerable at a young age.

The cultivation technology consists of the following stages.

1. Sowing is carried out at the end of winter or at the very beginning of spring.
2. Seeds (if necessary) are soaked for a day with a solution of "Epin" or "Zircon" or stimulants home cooking(honey, aloe juice).
3. The ideal medium for germination is peat tablets. They are moderately saturated with water, the seeds are laid out on the surface. When sowing a large number seeds use a mixture of peat, compost, sand and garden soil with the addition of mineral complexes, which fill the seedling box.
4. Germinate seeds in greenhouses, maintaining high humidity and a temperature of 18-20 ° C.
5. Crops are kept in a well-lit place, but not in the sun, lighting up to 15-16 hours a day. Lights are turned off at night.
6. Crops are moistened by spraying 3-4 times a day, watered daily with warm water.
7. With the advent of sprouts, the greenhouse begins to be ventilated, the seedlings are gradually accustomed to sunlight. Shelter is usually removed when the seedlings are 4-5 days old.

When the shelter is removed, peat tablets are poured with a small amount of water with potassium permanganate. The appearance of the first leaves is “celebrated” by watering with vitamin B12 (1 ml - standard ampoule - per 300 ml of water).

Seedlings are watered with warm soft water, melted or filtered. Feed once a week complex fertilizers at the rate of a quarter of the dose intended for an adult plant per seedling. It is recommended to alternate root and foliar top dressing.

When the roots begin to support the mesh of the tablet, the seedlings are transferred (without destroying the tablet!) into cups with holes to drain excess moisture. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the containers, the free space is filled with a nutrient substrate. Pinch off the top of the seedling.

Seedlings are planted in a permanent place - in flowerpots, flowerpots, boxes - when the weather is steadily warm with a temperature above 20 ° C.

When growing caliberchoa from seeds, pay attention to the need for pre-sowing treatment. Not all varieties and forms need the use of stimulants. For example, the seeds of the Kablum variety sprout together without additional stimulation.

cuttings

Cuttings are either cut in winter, when the flower is resting, and metabolic processes slow down, or they use the shoots remaining after formative pruning. Their quality is the same - both of them take root well.

• The best cuttings are the tops of the shoots, about 6 cm long, with 4 or 5 leaves. A pair of lower ones is removed, the remaining half of the sheet plate is cut off.
• The substrate for rooting is selected light, with a high content of peat. Suitable purchased universal for indoor plants.
• The cuttings are planted, deepening by a quarter, moistened and covered with a transparent lid to maintain high humidity.
• Rooting conditions: temperature about 20 ° C, bright diffused lighting, absence of drafts and sudden changes in temperature.
• Greenhouses are ventilated daily.
• Water twice a day using a spray bottle. The soil should be moderately moist.

Cuttings are planted in small pots in 3-4 weeks: in two weeks they will take root, a week or two will be needed to strengthen them.

Before planting in a pot, caliberhoa cuttings are cared for as indoor plants- moderate watering, top dressing.

If by the time of transplantation the bush grows excessively, a new batch of cuttings is cut from it and rooted.

Diseases and pests

Calibrachoa, with proper care and timely fertilization, is rarely exposed to diseases and pest attacks. If the flowering has sharply decreased, noticeable external signs ill health - looking for the cause.

When choosing a preparation for the treatment of a plant or the destruction of insect pests, preference is given to less toxic ones, since for the most part they are designed for use in conditions open ground over large spaces.

Growing calibrachoa in the garden or on the balcony of a high-rise building is an exciting activity that does not require special knowledge, accessible to beginner flower growers. Behind proper care the flower will thank you with colorful blooms.

For some time now, calibrachoa has become a permanent inhabitant of balconies and flower beds of amateur gardeners. And every year its popularity only increases. This plant is very similar to petunias. Until the end of the last century, it was even referred to as petunias, until scientists found that genetically these two plants are completely different. However, this fact is not known to everyone. Some novice growers mistakenly mistake Calibrachoa for Petunia. However, the plant has a number of differences by which it can be established its affiliation.

Calibrachoa - cultivation and care

You can determine if you really have a calibrachoa by the following signs.

1. According to the pharynx located at the base of the corolla. In caliberchoa it should be yellow.
2. The size of the leaves. The leaves of caliberchoa are small (4 cm) and narrow (1 cm).
3. By stem. The plant has a stronger stem with a woody structure.

On a note! Calibrachoa can be planted both in a flower bed and in boxes or tubs. But the ornamental plant will look best if planted in hanging structures.

Depending on the shape of the flower, the variety of this ornamental plant are divided into two groups. Flowers can be either simple or double. The first caliberchoa were lilac shade, but now a huge number of varieties with flowers of a wide variety of colors have been bred. Consider the most common varieties.

Cabaret

Varieties of this group include 12 positions. Among them, most of all plants with white flowers, but there are also options for other shades. Planters with such calibrachoa in their own way appearance resembles a ball strewn with a huge number of snow-white bells.

Important! If you do not cut the branches, then they can grow more than a meter in length. But it is still desirable to give the flower bed a beautiful shape with the help of garden shears. It is from these colors that landscape designers construct the now so popular living arches.

This is one of the very first experiments of breeders to develop new species of calibrachoa. The result is a group of cultivars with deep blue flowers. Plants of this species do not reach even half a meter in height, and the seeds are distinguished by good germination. But if you collect them from the parent plant, then the young bush will turn out to be larger and with purple flowers.

A small plant with double flowers. The branches grow up to 70 cm long. Flowers of various pink shades reach a diameter of 4 cm. There are fewer flowers on a bush of this caliberhoa than on flowerbeds of non-double varieties. However, the beauty of the flower itself justifies this slight lag in quantity. Bright foliage dilutes the composition with greenery. In general, a flowerpot with such a caliberchoa looks interesting in its own way.

On a note! Such hybrids have their own advantage in reproduction. Their cuttings are doing great. Roots appear literally two days after the cutting is placed in water.

noah

Includes 6 different color variations. Among them are white and light purple varieties. Compositions of these plants look especially elegant and romantic. The flowers are two-colored. The hue in the centers of flowers and on the longitudinal stripes located on the petals differs from the main tone. Branches reach a length of 0.5 m.

The plant requires care and attention. But at the same time it grows well in slightly shaded places and withstands slight dampness. It is preferable to plant it as annual plant, because on next year after wintering, it will not bloom well.

Important! When caring for a plant, it is important not to overdo it with watering, and it must also be fed and sprayed.

Wells

This series consists of 8 types of caliberchoa. The shade of flowers up to 3.5 cm in diameter can vary from yellow to burgundy. If you do not cut the branches, then they grow up to one meter. The leaves of these plants are present in small quantities.

Bells varieties begin to bloom in May. A luxurious scattering of bells is not afraid of hail and rain. fluctuations weather conditions tolerate well. In the composition with white petunias, these caliberchoas make a very attractive duo.

Calibrachoa breeding methods

The most common breeding methods are cuttings and growing from seeds. Cuttings will require more strength to produce strong plants from them. However, the seeds are not so simple. Unfortunately, often adult calibrachoa grown from seeds disappoint gardeners.

The most likely outcome of seed breeding is a flower that looks completely different than mother plant. The new bush is smaller, and flowering does not differ in the expected splendor. Breeding by cuttings gives much more pleasant results.

Table. Breeding caliberhoa cuttings step by step.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
	To obtain a cutting, cut off the top of a caliberchoa branch (about 5 cm).
	At the base of the cutting, pinch off a couple of lower leaves.
	It is advisable to put it in a glass of water within an hour after the cutting has been cut from the parent plant.
	After that, the stalk must be transplanted into the ground. First, use a tissue to remove excess moisture from its foundation.
	Then the base of the cutting is recommended to be treated with Kornevin.
	A recess in the ground for the cutting can be done with a toothpick.
	Root the cutting in the ground or peat tablet, plunging to the first leaves. As a soil, you can take a universal soil for indoor flowers.
	Install the soil with cuttings in a mini-greenhouse, and then irrigate with water using a spray gun.
	Cover the greenhouse with a transparent lid or film. Before rooting, the container should be under the phytolamp at a temperature of about + 20 ° C. Periodically, the cover of the greenhouse must be opened for ventilation.

Roots should be expected within two weeks.

Care of the cuttings after rooting consists in spraying with moisture up to two times during the day. It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out, but it is not too wet. When mold appears, reduce the amount of watering and spraying. Transplant the sprouts into pots with a diameter of 5 cm when the roots reach 2 cm.

Video - Calibrachoa propagation using seeds

Features of caring for calibrachoa

When the caliberhoa seedlings reach the desired size, they are transplanted into pots, which are hung to decorate the garden, alley or house facade. It is recommended to wait until May before taking the pots with the plant outside.

On a note! These flowers are very fond of lighted and warm places. It is also desirable to protect the plant from drafts and strong wind. Therefore, caliberchoa is often kept as a houseplant.

A plant that has reached a sufficiently large size must be given enough free space. It should be planted in well-drained soil. An adult caliberchoa requires 3 kg of loose soil, to which compost or humus must be added.

Attention! For the formation beautiful bush, which will delight with long flowering, plants need to be pinched, as well as dried flowers should be removed in a timely manner.

Calibrachoa - the dream of flower growers

Proper care of caliberchoa involves following three principles:

• regular watering;
• maintaining the shape of the bush;
• fertilization.

Lighting

It is advisable to place flowerpots with bells where the plant will receive enough sunlight. With a lack of light, caliberchoa will not bloom. Plants love garden areas, balconies and terraces facing south or southeast. It does not tolerate extreme heat. If in the summer in July the flower is under the scorching rays of the sun, it may dry out. At this time, it is better to transfer it to places protected from direct sunlight.

top dressing

During the period of active growth, caliberchoa needs regular feeding, which must be done no more than once a week. For flowering plant fertilizer formulations saturated with phosphorus and potassium are suitable.

Watering

Watering should be done very carefully. It is important not to allow an excess of moisture. Excessively damp soil can cause root rot.

In this case, the plant needs frequent spraying, especially in dry, hot weather. The procedure is required to be performed up to 4 times a day. In this case, it should be remembered that under direct sunlight, drops of water can lead to a burn of leaves and petals. Therefore, in such circumstances, spraying is undesirable.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

Regular feeding and proper care will prevent the occurrence of diseases. strong flower rarely attacked by pests. If the plant began to take on an unhealthy appearance, and its flowering decreased, it is necessary to find out the cause and begin to eliminate it.

Calibrachoa, if the rules of care are not followed, can be susceptible to the following diseases:

• powdery mildew;
• leg black;
• chlorosis;
• root rot.

Fungicides can help control these diseases.

• spider mite, which sucks the nutrients contained in the branches and leaves from the plant, which reduces its immunity;
• aphid, the defeat of which brings the flower to complete withering;
• thrips- the larvae of this pest live on the foliage, devouring it, because of which the bush loses its attractiveness;
• whitefly, whose larvae and butterflies suck the juices out of the plant, which inhibits its development.

Calibrachoa - very showy plant requiring attention and care. Subject to all the rules of care, it will thank the gardener with luxurious scatterings of multi-colored bells, which will become worthy decoration any garden.