Million Bells Calibrachoa Million Bells Trailing Yellow = 'Suncalkuki' (PBR) (Million Bells Series)
![calibrachoa [Million Bells Trailing Yellow]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b5f71e7b10.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
The Million Bells trailing yellow plant is a delightful garden addition with a profusion of bright yellow, petunia-like flowers. The flowers themselves are miniatures, funnel-shaped, and create a stunning display with their vibrant color that can catch the eye from a distance. These blooms cover the plant throughout the growing season, creating a cascading effect that is both charming and visually appealing. The foliage is green and forms a lush backdrop for the yellow flowers, with the leaves being small and somewhat oval-shaped. Together, the yellow flowers and green leaves present a cheerful and somewhat tropical aspect. The trailing habit of the Million Bells plant makes it particularly suitable for hanging baskets or as a spilling plant in containers where it can gracefully overflow the edges, adding a sense of fullness and opulence to garden displays. Overall, the cheerful yellow flowers against the green foliage offer a refreshing splash of color sure to brighten up any garden space.
About this plant
Names
Synonyms
Million Bells, Mini Petunia, Trailing Petunia.
Common names
Calibrachoa Million Bells Trailing Yellow = 'Suncalkuki' (PBR) (Million Bells Series).
Toxicity
To humans
Million Bells, generally regarded as non-toxic to humans, poses little to no risk if accidentally ingested. However, as with many ornamental plants, it is not intended for consumption, and eating large quantities or having skin contact with the plant could potentially cause mild irritation or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. There are no widely recognized symptoms of poisoning associated with this plant in humans because it's not commonly known to be poisonous.
To pets
Million Bells is also not considered toxic to pets like dogs and cats. While it's always a good precaution to prevent pets from ingesting plants, ingestion of this plant is unlikely to cause more than mild gastrointestinal upset, if any symptoms occur at all. No serious toxicity is expected, but as each pet may react differently, it's advisable to monitor for any signs of discomfort and consult with a veterinarian if any concerns arise after ingestion.
Characteristics
Life cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9-11
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits
- Abundant Blooms: Produces copious amounts of bright, yellow, bell-shaped flowers that bloom continuously throughout the growing season.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, with no need for deadheading, which saves time and effort.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, has a reasonable tolerance to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, supporting biodiversity.
- Compact Growth: Has a trailing habit that makes it ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes, where it can show off without taking up a lot of space.
- Versatile Use: Can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, ground cover, or as a spilling plant over walls and edges.
- Long Flowering Period: Offers a long season of color, often from spring through to fall.
- Weather Resistant: Shows resilience in different weather conditions, remaining vivid and attractive through summer heat.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some garden plants, it does not become weedy or invasive, allowing gardeners to plant it without worry of it spreading uncontrollably.
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 Prop: The vibrant yellow flowers of Million Bells can serve as an excellent backdrop or focal point in close-up photography, providing a lively burst of color to the image composition.
- Educational Tool: Horticulture educators can use Million Bells to teach students about plant care, hybridization, and trailing plant growth habits in gardening courses or workshops.
- Biological Pest Control: When strategically placed, Million Bells attract pollinators such as bees that may also serve to control certain soft-bodied pest insect populations naturally.
- Erosion Control: Planted on slopes or in hanging baskets on walls, the trailing habit of Million Bells can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Aromatherapy Gardens: Incorporating Million Bells with fragrant foliage or flowers in a sensory garden can contribute to its aromatic appeal for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.
- Creative Crafts: Dried or pressed flowers of the Million Bells can be used in crafting, such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or decoupage projects.
- Water Feature Enhancement: Floating containers or islands with Million Bells can add a pop of color to ponds and water features while providing habitat for aquatic wildlife.
- Event Decorations: As a versatile decorative plant, Million Bells can be incorporated into event settings like weddings or celebrations, providing natural décor that requires minimal maintenance.
- Model Landscaping: The compact and trailing growth of Million Bells makes them suitable for miniature gardens or model landscapes, such as those for model trains or fairy gardens.
- Green Roofs: The low-maintenance and trailing characteristics of Million Bells are ideal for planting on green roofs, where they can contribute to insulation and aesthetic value.
Interesting Facts
Feng Shui
Million Bells are not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Million Bells are not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Celebration: The bright yellow hue and abundance of flowers on the Calibrachoa plant represent joy and festivities, making it a popular choice for celebratory occasions.
- Optimism: Yellow is often associated with sunshine and positivity. The sunny appearance of the Million Bells indicates hope and good spirits.
- Happiness: Million Bells exude cheerfulness and are often used in gardens to create a happy and welcoming atmosphere.
- Wealth: In some cultures, yellow flowers can symbolize wealth and success, possibly due to their resemblance to gold and coins.
- Friendship: Similar to other yellow flowers, Million Bells can represent strong bonds of friendship and shared joy between companions.
Water
Million Bells prefer consistent moisture, so water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this will mean watering once every 2 to 3 days during the active growing season, depending on weather conditions. Use a gentle pour near the base of the plant to avoid splashing the foliage and flowers. Each watering session should provide enough water to moisten the soil thoroughly, which might translate to about 16 to 24 ounces for a standard hanging basket or container. Always ensure the container has good drainage to prevent root rot from standing water.
Light
Million Bells thrive in full sun, where they can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Choose a spot that is bright and not shaded for best growth and blooms. If the light is too intense in hot climates, some light afternoon shade may help protect the flowers and foliage from scorching.
Temperature
Million Bells perform best in temperatures ranging from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 35 degrees Fahrenheit but prefer warmer conditions. Ideally, keep Million Bells away from frost and ensure they are in a position to enjoy the warmth during their blooming season.
Pruning
Pruning Million Bells promotes more vigorous growth and abundant blooming. Trim back the stems when they begin to look leggy or sparse, which might happen mid-season. It's best to prune or pinch back the tips every few weeks to encourage branching and denser growth. The optimal time for major pruning is early spring or just before new growth begins.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Million Bells prefer a well-draining potting mix with peat moss and perlite; a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 is ideal for healthy growth.
Repotting
Million Bells should be repotted every spring to refresh the soil, as they are fast-growing and can become pot-bound.
Humidity & Misting
Million Bells thrive in moderate humidity levels but are adaptable to a wide range of indoor environments.
Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good airflow.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Trailing Yellow' typically starts as seeds or more commonly as cuttings, which are planted to initiate growth. When the environmental conditions are favorable (warm and frost-free), the cuttings develop roots and shoots, transitioning into juvenile plants. As they grow, these plants enter the vegetative stage where they produce a profusion of foliage and begin to form their distinctive trailing stems. Following the vegetative phase, Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Trailing Yellow' enters the flowering stage, blooming profusely with bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers throughout the warm months, often starting in late spring and lasting until frost. Pollination may occur during this time, but Calibrachoa is often propagated vegetatively, so seed production is not a primary life cycle stage. As temperatures drop in autumn, the plant will start to become dormant, and if not protected from frost, will die, completing its annual life cycle unless it is being grown as a perennial in warmer climates where it can survive the winter.
Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Calibrachoa Million Bells, or simply Million Bells, is through stem cuttings. This is typically done in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. A healthy stem with several leaves is selected and a cutting about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long is taken. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring at least one or two sets of leaves are above the soil surface. The soil is kept moist but not waterlogged, and the cutting is placed in a warm area with bright, indirect light. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to normal growing conditions.