Calipetite® Blue

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Solanaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Calibrachoa

Species

hybrida

Description

Ornamental herb with vigorous growth and an upright or semi-erect habit depending on the variety. Flowering is lush and prolonged and occurs during the spring-summer period with a profusion of brightly coloured, shiny flowers. Easy to maintain, it is used to decorate flower beds, outdoor tubs, planters and pots, also in compositions with other ornamental or with varieties of the same species with different coloured flowers. It is often distinguished from the genus Petunia by the smaller size of the flowers associated with a more abundant flowering, it also has a high level of tillering with a flower/leaf ratio of great decorative effect.

Varietal description

An ideal plant for flowering balcony trays from May to October. There are several colours available in the series.

curiosity and special features

The generic epithet, Calibrachoa, comes from the Mexican botanist and pharmacologist Antonio de Cal y Bracho.

Origin and Diffusion

The genus Calibrachoa, whose separation from the genus Petunia took place in 1825 but was later confirmed in 1985 on a chromosomal basis, is native to South and Central America. There are currently 28 hybridised species selected for phenotypic characteristics such as the widely varying flower colour as well as the plant's developed habit.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, but the flowering as a whole is abundant, showing us a cascade of vibrantly coloured inflorescences.

Leaf

Leaf has an oblong lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from early spring to early autumn for between 120 and 160 days, allowing you to decorate your green spaces even during the hottest period.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf color

Solid colour tone.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.3 m. It can easily be combined with other flowering plants in the garden with an alternation of colours and heights, resulting in a pleasant overall movement.

Lifespan

Plant grown as a seasonal.

Suggested planting locations

Due to its vigorous growth and spectacular flowering, it is mainly used in outdoor spaces such as balconies, outdoor tubs, flowerbeds, tubs

Stem/stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a bell-shaped corolla. The petals are plain, bi-coloured and with an eye. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 160 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

The growth is medium to vigorous, thus representing among the seasonal ornamental species a perfect choice to decorate your green spaces throughout the spring-summer period.

Plant habit

The habit is semi-recumbent, making it ideal for use in planters and balconies.

branching

It develops abundant branching, giving it a well-tended, rich Leaf and Flower appearance.

pH

The optimum pH of the Soil/medium is slightly acidic, between 5.00 and 6.00; values above 7.00 can lead to yellowing of the vegetative apices.

soil preparation

Before transplanting the plants into beds in spring, it is necessary to prepare the soil properly; to this end, dig up the soil and remove any weeds and bulky stones, then bury slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser and, if the soil is compact and not very draining, add sand. Continue by breaking up the coarsest clods to give greater softness and carefully level out by preparing the planting holes according to a suitable density.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

sun exposure

Suitable for locations in full sun, half shade; in order to obtain copious flowering, prefer sunny exposures if possible.

Ideal climate and temperature

It offers the best development and growth results in areas with a warm temperate spring-summer climate. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C. The biological temperature is between 5 and 35 °C.

Use

Creating pleasing and elegant overall effects with its blooms, it is widely used as a plant in
Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness, tolerates heat and temporary drought.

Soil/medium

It prefers peaty soil with good drainage and adequate porosity; for pots and planters, use a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite.

Maintenance

A plant that is easy to grow and maintain, always considering its needs in terms of balanced water and fertiliser inputs aimed at achieving good vegetative growth and thriving flowering.

cultivation tips

In order to achieve proper development and lush flowering, pay attention to the following cultivation requirements:

Requires abundant but no stagnant watering

Composition

It is possible to create compositions with elegant and lively colour tones with other ornamental species of different flower and leaf shades such as Angelonia angustifolia, Bidens ferulifolium, Lobelia speciosa, Petunia x hybrida, Plectranthus coleoides or by combining varieties of calibrachoa with flowers of different shades to achieve harmonious colour balances.

planting

When transplanting, apply an average density of 12 plants per square metre to allow for adequate development of each specimen. It is also suggested to place each plant with the collar above the soil surface without sinking the lump completely and watering immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Reproduction/Propagation

Mainly by apical cutting.

Irrigation

It requires abundant watering, but without stagnation, modulated in relation to the climatic conditions so as to keep the soil or substrate at a constant humidity, avoiding both excess watering, which causes root rot, and dryness, which can lead to leaf yellowing.

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Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. Subsequently, during the spring-summer period, regularly apply a specific fertiliser for ornamentals to the Soil/medium at the foot of the plant, to be distributed liquid, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet friendly

Toxicity to pets not known; consider case-specific and do not administer.

Edibility for humans

Inedible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

advise 1

The plant must be fertilised regularly in order to have copious and persistent flowering. On the balcony it must be fertilised with every watering or a slow-release fertiliser must be applied to the soil. Poor fertilisation leads to an underdeveloped plant with poor flowering.