Uncovering the Hidden Ground Truths: Preventing Plant Demise with Million Bells' Soil Strategies
Million Bells, also known as Calibrachoa, are vibrant and colourful plants that bring a touch of beauty to any garden. However, these plants have specific care requirements to thrive, especially when it comes to watering, fertilising, and preventing nutrient deficiencies.
Preventing and Treating Overwatering
To maintain healthy roots and prevent root rot, it's essential to use a well-drained, light, and airy soil mix. A universal substrate combined with 20% perlite or river sand is an excellent choice. Watering only when the soil surface is dry, typically 2-3 times a week, is also recommended. Avoid keeping the soil constantly wet to prevent fungal diseases like Fusarium or Phytophthora.
If overwatering symptoms occur, such as yellowing leaves, wilting, or root rot, reduce watering frequency immediately. Improve soil drainage, and consider repotting in fresh, dry substrate to save the plant.
Preventing and Treating Underwatering
Although Calibrachoa needs to stay slightly dry, it requires consistent moisture, especially in hot weather. Increase watering frequency when the topsoil dries out to avoid drought stress. Underwatered plants show signs such as flower drying and wilting. Remedy underwatering by thoroughly watering the plant until excess drains out, then maintaining a regular watering schedule ensuring the soil never fully dries out.
Preventing and Treating Nutrient Deficiencies
Million Bells are heavy feeders, requiring a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength every 1-2 weeks during the growing season to promote continuous blooms. Avoid over-fertilising, which can harm the plant. Always follow label instructions on fertilisers.
Signs of nutrient deficiencies include weak growth, fewer flowers, or pale leaves. Correcting these issues by consistent feeding will restore vigor.
Additional Care Tips
- Place the plant in full sun to partial shade (at least 6 hours sunlight) for healthy growth.
- Ensure good air circulation around the plant to prevent fungal infections.
- Avoid exposure to cold below -2ºC, as Million Bells are cold-sensitive.
In cold climates, Million Bells must be grown in pots and moved to a heated greenhouse for the winter, then put back outside after the risk of frost has passed. Million Bells are perennial in warm regions but are annual in cold climates that experience frost, dying in winter and developing black foliage. Horticultural fleece can protect Million Bells from chilly nights and sporadic frost in cold climates.
By balancing watering to keep soil slightly dry but not parched, feeding regularly with balanced fertiliser, and providing appropriate light and drainage, you can effectively prevent and treat these common problems in Calibrachoa (Million Bells).
Maintaining a well-drained soil mix with a universal substrate and 20% perlite or river sand can help mitigate overwatering issues in Calibrachoa plants. To prevent overwatering symptoms such as yellowing leaves, wilting, or root rot, reduce watering frequency and improve soil drainage if necessary.
In hot weather, Million Bells require consistent moisture to prevent drought stress. Signs of underwatering include flower drying and wilting, and can be remedied by watering the plant thoroughly and maintaining a regular watering schedule.
