Calibrachoa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calibrachoa |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Calibrachoa
La Llave & Lex.
|
Calibrachoa (say "kal-ih-brah-KOH-uh") is a group of beautiful flowering plants. They are part of the nightshade family, which scientists call Solanaceae. These plants are very popular because they have many small, colorful, bell-shaped flowers. You often see them growing in pots, hanging baskets, and gardens.
Calibrachoa plants look a lot like Petunias. They are actually very close relatives! Scientists group Petunias and Calibrachoa together into a special group called a clade. This group is known as Petunieae. This means they share a common plant ancestor.
Contents
About Calibrachoa Plants
Calibrachoa plants are known for their amazing flowers. These flowers come in many colors, like pink, purple, red, yellow, and even orange. Some flowers have stripes or different shades. They are often called "million bells" because they produce so many tiny, bell-shaped blooms.
What Makes Them Special?
These plants are usually small and bushy. They can also trail, which means their stems hang down. This makes them perfect for hanging baskets. Unlike some other plants, Calibrachoa flowers do not need you to remove old blooms. They naturally drop their spent flowers and keep producing new ones. This makes them easy to care for.
Where Do They Grow?
Calibrachoa plants originally come from South America. They are found in countries like Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. In these places, they grow as perennial plants. This means they live for more than two years. However, in many other parts of the world, people grow them as annuals. This means they complete their life cycle in one growing season.
Growing Calibrachoa
If you want to grow Calibrachoa, they are quite easy to care for. They love sunny spots and well-drained soil. They are a great choice for adding bright color to your garden or patio.
Light and Water Needs
Calibrachoa plants need a lot of sunlight to grow well and produce many flowers. They should get at least six hours of direct sun each day. When it comes to water, they like their soil to be moist but not soggy. It's best to water them regularly, especially when it's hot. Make sure their pots have good drainage holes so extra water can escape.
Types of Calibrachoa
There are many different types, or varieties, of Calibrachoa. Plant breeders have created many hybrids. These hybrids have new colors and patterns. Some popular series include 'Superbells' and 'Million Bells'. Each series offers a wide range of colors and growth habits. This means you can find a Calibrachoa that fits almost any garden design.
Images for kids
-
calibrachoa "million bells" in a hanging basket
-
hybrid 'Superbells Strawberry Punch'
-
A Calibrachoa hybrid
See also
In Spanish: Calibrachoa para niños
