Calibrachoa [Can-can Coral Reef] Calibrachoa Can-can Coral Reef = 'Balcanoree' (Can-can Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

[Can-can Coral Reef] is an evergreen perennial usually grown as an annual, with semi-trailing stems and small, simple leaves. Light orange flowers, with a pale yellow throat outlined in red, are produced over a long period in summer and autumn

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae
- Synonyms
  Million Bells, Mini Petunia
- Common names
  Calibrachoa Can-can Coral Reef = 'Balcanoree' (Can-can Series).
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Coral
- Height
  6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
- Spread
  12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9-11
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow - Calibrachoa is known for being a low-maintenance, easy to care for plant that thrives in a variety of conditions.
- Continuous blooming - The plant produces flowers continuously throughout the growing season, often from spring to frost.
- Attracts pollinators - The brightly colored flowers attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden.
- Compact growth - Its compact growth habit makes it an ideal choice for containers, hanging baskets, and small garden spaces.
- Vibrant colors - Calibrachoa boasts vibrant colors that can brighten up any garden or outdoor space.
- Drought tolerant - Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, making it suitable for gardens with less frequent watering.
- Versatile uses - The plant can be used in a variety of settings, including garden beds, borders, and as a spiller plant in mixed containers.
- Minimal pest problems - Calibrachoa is generally resistant to pests, meaning less need for chemical treatments.
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
- Photography Enhancement: The vibrant color of Calibrachoa is commonly used to create a splash of color in garden photography, enhancing the visual appeal of the shot.
- Artistic Muse: Artists might use the Calibrachoa as inspiration for paintings or illustrations that capture its vivid hues and delicate structures.
- Culinary Decoration: Although not edible, Calibrachoa flowers can be used as temporary ornamental garnishes for plating in high-end culinary presentations.
- Educational Specimen: Botany students might study Calibrachoa for learning about hybridization and breeding of ornamental plants.
- Biodegradable Confetti: Dried petals of Calibrachoa could serve as a natural and biodegradable confetti alternative for outdoor celebrations.
- Handmade Crafts: Calibrachoa flowers and buds can be incorporated into handmade paper, candles, or potpourri for added color and texture.
- Scented Sachets: Though not known for a strong fragrance, the subtle scent of fresh Calibrachoa flowers could be captured in small fabric sachets.
- Gift Wrapping Accents: Fresh or dried flowers can be utilized as decorative accents on gift wrapping, enhancing the presentation with a natural touch.
- Fairy Gardens: With their small size, Calibrachoa can be used in creating miniature 'fairy gardens', lending a whimsical charm to these tiny landscapes.
- Color Themed Events: Calibrachoa can be used in event décor for color-themed parties or weddings to complement the overall color scheme.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Mini Petunia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Mini Petunia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Charm and Grace: Calibrachoa, also commonly known as 'million bells' due to their profuse, bell-shaped flowers, often symbolizes charm and grace due to their delicate and colorful appearance.
- Enduring Love: The continuous bloom of 'million bells' through the growing season can represent a love that endures over time, constantly renewing itself.
- Good Fortune: The vibrant and plentiful blossoms of million bells may be associated with good fortune and prosperity in some cultural contexts.
- Creativity: Their multitude of colors and ability to grow in various conditions can symbolize creativity and versatility.
- Companionship: As these plants are often used in containers and hanging baskets to complement other plants, they can symbolize companionship and the importance of relationships.

💧

Every 1-2 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Million Bells should be watered deeply once the top inch of soil begins to feel dry to the touch. Typically, this will require watering every few days during hot weather or less often during cooler, overcast days. Ensure that the plant receives a consistent amount of water, aiming for about 1 gallon per week, depending on weather conditions and plant size. To water, pour slowly at the base of the plant, allowing water to soak into the root zone without wetting the foliage too much, which can lead to disease. It is crucial to avoid overwatering, as Million Bells do not like to sit in waterlogged soil.
Light
Million Bells thrive best in full sun conditions, where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The plant prefers a bright spot with plentiful light to encourage abundant flowering. If grown indoors, place it in a south-facing window or under grow lights if natural light is insufficient.
Temperature
Million Bells are heat-tolerant plants that prefer to be grown in environments where the temperature ranges from 55°F at night to 65-85°F during the day. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 50°F but should be protected from frost. The plant's ideal growing conditions are warm days with moderate night temperatures.
Pruning
Million Bells benefit from occasional pruning to promote bushier growth and more flowers. Prune lightly throughout the growing season by pinching back the stem tips. This encourages branching and can be done every few weeks or when the plant starts to look leggy. The best time for pruning is in the late spring or early summer.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Million Bells need well-draining soil mix with peat moss and perlite, at pH between 5.5 and 6.2, for optimal growth.
Repotting
Million Bells should be repotted annually, using fresh soil mix to replenish nutrients and encourage healthy growth.
Humidity & Misting
Million Bells thrives in moderate humidity levels, aim for around 50% relative humidity for best growth conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Million Bells in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Use well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, protect from harsh weather.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Calibrachoa 'Balcanoree', commonly known as Million Bells, begins its life as a seed; however, it is often propagated vegetatively through cuttings. Upon germination or rooting, it enters the vegetative stage, rapidly developing leaves and stems. As it matures, the plant initiates the flowering stage, characterized by a profusion of small, petunia-like coral reef flowers that bloom from spring to fall. After flowering, if conditions allow, it will produce small, non-showy seed capsules, although seeds are rarely viable or used for propagation. As an annual or perennial, depending on climate, it will eventually enter senescence, during which growth slows before the plant dies, with perennials potentially regrowing from overwintered root systems in suitable regions. Throughout its life, the plant requires regular watering, full sun to partial shade, and well-drained soil to thrive.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for Calibrachoa, commonly known as "million bells," is through softwood cuttings. This is typically done in the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate through cuttings, a gardener would take a 3 to 5-inch (about 7.5 to 12.7 cm) long stem segment that has a couple of leaf nodes. They would then remove the leaves from the lower part of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder. Afterwards, the cutting is inserted into a well-draining soilless potting mix and kept consistently moist under high humidity and indirect sunlight until roots have developed, which usually takes a few weeks. Once the roots are established, the new plant can be transplanted into its permanent location or pot.