Million Bells Calibrachoa Rave Pink '16 = 'Kleca16006' (PBR) (Rave Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Calibrachoa Rave Pink '16, known commonly as Superbells or Million Bells from the Rave Series, features a vibrant appearance that is sure to catch the eye in any garden or container. Its main attraction is the stunning pink blossoms which exhibit a deep, rich pink hue that can range from fuchsia to a warm rose color depending on the light and environment. Each flower is trumpet-shaped with a slight petal flare at the mouth, which gives them a lively, festive appearance. The throat of the bloom typically displays a slightly yellow to white eye that contrasts and accentuates the pink tones, adding depth and visual interest to the overall flower. The flowers bloom prolifically and are known to cover the entire plant, creating a spectacular display of pink that can last from early spring well into the autumn months. The foliage of this plant is bright green, presenting a lush backdrop for the flowers and giving the plant a full and robust character. The leaves are small and somewhat ovate, adding a fine texture to the plant's form. Its growth habit tends to be mounded to slightly trailing, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or spilling over the edges of containers and window boxes. Overall, the Calibrachoa Rave Pink '16 presents a cheerful and colorful presence, with its vibrant blooms and complementary foliage enhancing its ornamental appeal.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Million Bells, Mini Petunia, Rave Pink Calibrachoa, Superbells.
- Common names
  Calibrachoa Rave Pink '16 = 'Kleca16006' (PBR) (Rave Series)
Toxicity
- To humans
  Calibrachoa, commonly known as million bells, is not known to be toxic to humans. In general, this plant is considered safe, and there are no significant reports of poisoning or toxic reactions from ingestion. However, it is always wise to exercise caution and not consume plants that are not explicitly intended to be eaten.
- To pets
  Million bells, or Calibrachoa, is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is typically not associated with poisoning in animals, and there are no widely-recognized symptoms of poisoning from ingestion of this plant. While it is considered non-toxic, it's always a good practice to keep an eye on pets and prevent them from ingesting garden plants, as individual reactions can vary.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  8-10 inches (20-25 cm)
- Spread
  12-14 inches (30-35 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow - Calibrachoa, also known as mini petunia, is generally low maintenance and straightforward to cultivate in a variety of garden settings.
- Long blooming period - It produces flowers throughout the warmer months, from spring until the first frost, providing extended garden appeal.
- Vibrant color - The Rave Pink variety offers bright pink hues that add a pop of color to garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets.
- Attracts pollinators - The flowers can attract hummingbirds and beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Drought-tolerant - Once established, it has a good tolerance for brief periods of dry conditions, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Compact size - It remains relatively small, which is perfect for container gardening or for use in small garden spaces.
- Versatile - Its trailing habit makes it a great choice for use in a variety of garden designs, including as a spiller in container arrangements.
- Minimal pest issues - It is not commonly afflicted by pests, reducing the 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 Prop: Calibrachoa can be used as a vibrant and colorful subject or backdrop in macro photography, where its intricate details are showcased.
- Fairy Gardens: Due to its small size and delicate flowers, Calibrachoa is an excellent plant for creating whimsical fairy garden displays.
- Educational Tool: Calibrachoa can be used in schools or educational programs to teach children about plant growth, pollination, and horticulture.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists can use the vivid colors and forms of Calibrachoa as inspiration for paintings, textiles, or other creative projects.
- Dye Production: Although not commonly used for this purpose, the pigments from Calibrachoa flowers could potentially be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or crafts.
- Miniature Corsages: Calibrachoa's small flowers can be fashioned into miniature corsages or boutonnieres for dolls or petite decorative accents.
- Gourmet Garnish: While not commonly consumed, Calibrachoa's flowers might be used as a non-toxic garnish for culinary presentation, provided they haven't been treated with pesticides.
- Decorative Cake Topper: Clean, pesticide-free Calibrachoa can adorn cakes or desserts as an attractive edible topper for garden-themed events.
- Crafting: Pressed Calibrachoa flowers can be used in scrapbooking, card making, or other paper crafts to add a touch of natural beauty.
- Seasonal Celebrations: Calibrachoa can be used in festive decorations for events such as Easter, where their bright pink blossoms contribute to the springtime atmosphere.

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
- Celebration: The bright pink color of the Calibrachoa is often associated with joy and festive occasions, symbolizing celebration and high spirits.
- Youthful Energy: Calibrachoa's vibrant hues and its continuous blooming nature can symbolize the energy and vitality of youth.
- Admiration: Just as Calibrachoas are admired for their beautiful flowers, giving someone this plant can symbolize your admiration for them.
- Innovation: The Rave Pink variety, being a product of horticultural breeding, can symbolize human creativity and the innovative spirit.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Annually

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Million Bells should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this means watering once every week, but this can vary depending on climate conditions and whether the plant is in the ground or in a container. Outdoor plants in hot, dry climates may require watering every few days. Aim to provide about 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant each time you water, ensuring moisture reaches the root zone. It is crucial not to over-water, as Million Bells prefers well-drained soil and may develop root rot in soggy conditions.
Light
Million Bells thrive in full sunlight conditions. They perform best when they receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for these plants would be in a garden bed or a container that has clear, unfiltered access to the sun for most of the day. Too little light can lead to fewer blooms and leggy growth.
Temperature
Million Bells prefer warmer climates and do best in temperatures ranging from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night and as high as around 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. However, if the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it's best to protect the plant or bring it indoors if potted.
Pruning
Pruning Million Bells encourages more flowers and a fuller plant. They should be pruned in late spring or early summer by snipping the stems just above a set of leaves. This can be done every few weeks during the growing season to maintain shape and promote new growth. The best time for a major pruning is at the beginning of the growing season or when the plant starts to look leggy or sparse.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Million bells thrive in a well-draining potting mix with peat and perlite or sand, with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.2 for optimal growth.
Repotting
Million bells should typically be repotted every year to refresh the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & Misting
Million bells prefer moderate to high humidity levels but are adaptable to a range of indoor conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place million bells in bright, indirect light and maintain moderate humidity.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to partial shade and protect from strong winds for best growth.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA.
Life cycle
The life of the Calibrachoa Rave Pink '16, commonly known as Million Bells, begins with germination, which occurs when seed or plant cell structures activate in a suitable growing medium under the right conditions of warmth and moisture. Following germination, the seedling stage sees the emergence of the primary root and shoots, which further develop into a vegetative plant with characteristic small, ovate leaves. As it enters the flowering stage, the plant produces vibrant pink, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract pollinators and are capable of self-cleaning, dropping spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. After pollination, the plant may produce tiny, non-viable seeds, as many Calibrachoa cultivars are sterile and primarily propagated through cuttings. As the growing season progresses, the plant reaches maturity with a full display of flowers and foliage, and in regions with cold winters, it behaves as an annual, dying back with the onset of frost. For gardeners in milder climates or those who take precautions to protect the plant, it can survive as a perennial, regrowing in the spring, assuming it experiences a dormant period if needed for its growth cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- The Calibrachoa Rave Pink, commonly known as Million Bells or Mini Petunia, is most frequently propagated through vegetative cuttings as it is a patented variety which means that propagation by seed or by other means is typically not allowed without permission from the patent holder. The ideal time for taking cuttings is in mid-spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, a gardener would take a 3 to 5-inch (7.5 to 12.5 cm) cutting just below a node, remove the lower leaves, and then dip the cut end in rooting hormone. The cutting should then be placed in a well-draining soil mix and kept in a warm, humid environment until roots develop, which typically takes around 3 to 4 weeks. Proper care involves maintaining a soil temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius) and ensuring the cuttings are kept moist but not waterlogged.