Million Bells Calibrachoa Calibasket Pink Doll = 'Wescapido' (Calibasket Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Calibrachoa Calibasket Pink Doll, commonly known as "million bells," is a vibrant and striking flowering plant. The Pink Doll variety features an array of petite, trumpet-shaped flowers drenched in a soft shade of pink, which often possess a delicate yellow throat. The flowers are delicately veined with a slightly darker pink, adding depth and texture to their appearance. They bloom prolifically, covering the plant in a profusion of color that resembles a small cloud of pink balloons. The leaves of the million bells are small, somewhat narrow, and boast a bright, fresh green hue that contrasts beautifully with the pink flowers. Its foliage tends to be dense and lush, creating a full-bodied appearance that serves as the perfect backdrop for the standout blooms. Moreover, the plant's growth habit is trailing or cascading, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or as a spiller plant in mixed container arrangements. With its trailing stems, the Pink Doll variety can softly drape over the sides of its container, providing a graceful and elegant display. Overall, Calibrachoa Calibasket Pink Doll presents a harmonious blend of charming pink blooms amidst verdant green foliage, exuding a cheerful and captivating presence, sure to add a touch of whimsy to any garden or balcony.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae
- Synonyms
  Million Bells, Mini Petunia
- Common names
  Calibrachoa Calibasket Pink Doll = 'Wescapido' (Calibasket Series)
Toxicity
- To humans
  Calibrachoa, also known as million bells, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no significant reports of poisoning or adverse effects from ingesting this plant. However, as with any non-food plant, it is not intended for consumption, and ingesting plant material may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
- To pets
  Calibrachoa, commonly known as million bells, is not known to be toxic to pets. However, as with many ornamental plants, it is not intended for animal consumption. If a pet were to ingest part of the plant, mild gastrointestinal upset could occur due to the novelty and fibrous nature of the plant material. Serious symptoms of poisoning are not typically associated with the ingestion of Calibrachoa.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 feet (0.3 meters)
- Spread
  1.5 feet (0.45 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Continuous Blooming: Calibrachoa Calibasket Pink Doll produces flowers throughout the growing season without needing deadheading.
- Bright and Attractive: The bright pink blooms add vibrant color to hanging baskets, container gardens, and landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: It is an easy-care plant that requires minimal attention once established.
- Drought Tolerant: The plant can withstand periods of dryness once it is well-established.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, contributing to pollination in gardens.
- Versatile Usage: Suitable for use in various garden settings, including borders, pots, and as ground cover.
- Compact Growth: Its compact, mounded growth habit makes it a good choice for small spaces and complementary plantings.
- Easy to Propagate: Calibrachoa can be easily propagated through cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Edible garnish: The flowers of Calibrachoa can add color to salads or desserts, though they should only be eaten if grown organically and verified to be free of pesticides.
- Photography subject: Due to their vibrant colors, Calibrachoa flowers are often used by photographers looking for striking natural subjects for macro photography.
- Artistic muse: The flowers serve as an inspiration for artists, particularly those who specialize in botanical illustration or flower painting.
- Education and research: The plant can be used in educational settings to demonstrate principles of plant care, horticulture techniques, and pollination biology.
- Wedding decor: Calibrachoa can be used in bouquets or as table centerpieces for weddings and other events due to their delicate form and range of colors.
- Crafting: Dried Calibrachoa flowers can be used in making bookmarks, greeting cards, or pressed flower arrangements.
- Color dye: Historically, some flowers have been used to create natural dyes for fabrics or art materials; a use that can be creatively explored with Calibrachoa.
- Eco-friendly confetti: The petals of Calibrachoa flowers are biodegradable and can be used as a substitute for traditional paper confetti at events.
- Symbolic gift: The plant can carry various symbolic meanings when gifted, such as affection or a desire for the recipient to stay cheerful and happy.
- Fairy gardens: Miniature Calibrachoa plants are a whimsical addition to fairy gardens, small-scale gardens that play into the theme of fairy tales and magic.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Million Bells is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Million Bells is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Joy and Happiness: The vibrant pink color of Calibrachoa is often associated with feelings of joy and happiness, making it a common gift to uplift moods and brighten spaces.
- Admiration: Pink flowers traditionally symbolize admiration and can be a way to express fondness or appreciation for someone.
- Youth and Energy: Calibrachoa's lively growth habit and abundant blooms represent youthfulness and energetic enthusiasm.
- Friendship: Because of their warm and inviting hue, Calibrachoas are often used to signify lasting friendship and camaraderie.
- Longevity and Endurance: The resilient nature of these plants, which bloom prolifically throughout the growing season, can symbolize endurance and the ability to thrive through challenges.

💧

Every 1-2 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Million Bells require regular watering to maintain moist but not soggy soil. Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, approximately once every 2 to 3 days during hot weather, and reduce to once a week when it's cooler. Use a gentle shower from a watering can or a soft spray nozzle to avoid displacing the soil or damaging the foliage and flowers. Aim for about one gallon of water per square foot of soil every week, adjusting as necessary for weather conditions.
Light
Million Bells thrive in locations that receive full sun for at least six hours per day. They perform best when placed in a spot that offers bright, direct sunlight, which encourages abundant flowering. However, in extremely hot climates, they can benefit from light afternoon shade to prevent scorching.
Temperature
Million Bells favor warm conditions and thrive in temperatures ranging from 55°F to 65°F at night, and daytime temperatures between 70°F and 85°F. These plants can suffer if exposed to temperatures below 50°F, so it's important to protect them from frost. Ideally, maintain an environment within this temperature range for optimal health and blooming.
Pruning
Pruning Million Bells helps promote bushier growth and more flowers. Trim back the stems by 1 to 2 inches every few weeks to encourage branching. The best time for pruning is after a flush of blooms begins to fade, but before the plant becomes leggy. Deadheading is not necessary, as they are self-cleaning.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Million Bells (common name for Calibrachoa) thrives in a well-draining potting mix, with added perlite or sand to improve drainage. A balanced pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal for optimal growth.
Repotting
Million Bells should be repotted annually in spring to replenish its soil and to accommodate root growth, as they can become root-bound in containers.
Humidity & Misting
Million Bells prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is adaptable to lower humidity environments if not too dry.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Million Bells in bright, indirect light indoors and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant Million Bells in full sun to partial shade and shelter from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
The life of Calibrachoa 'Pink Doll' from the Calibasket series begins with seed germination, where the tiny seeds need warmth and light to sprout, typically within one to two weeks. The seedlings gradually develop true leaves and, under proper conditions of sunlight and moisture, transition into the vegetative growth stage, where they establish a strong root system and foliage. As the plant enters the flowering stage, Calibrachoa 'Pink Doll' produces vibrant pink blooms that can appear from spring until fall, attracting pollinators and adding color to gardens and containers. Following pollination, the plant may produce seeds if not a sterile hybrid, but in horticultural practices, cuttings rather than seeds are often used for propagation. With the arrival of colder temperatures or less favorable conditions, the plant may enter a period of dormancy, especially in climates where it is not hardy. Lastly, if it survives the dormant period or is grown as an annual, the cycle can begin anew with the return of favorable growing conditions or by planting new seeds or cuttings.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- The common name for Calibrachoa Calibasket Pink Doll = 'Wescapido' (Calibasket Series) is "million bells." The most popular method of propagation for million bells is through softwood tip cuttings, which is typically done in spring or early summer. To propagate, a grower should take a 3 to 6-inch cutting from the parent plant's non-flowering stems, ensuring at least two sets of leaves are included. The bottom set of leaves should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. The cutting should then be placed in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist. It's important to maintain a high humidity environment for the cuttings, which is often done by covering the pots with plastic. Within a few weeks, the cuttings should root, and after they have established a robust root system, they can be transplanted into individual pots or hanging baskets.