![]() Calitunia is the trade name for the first petchoa, developed by the breeder, Danzinger. Calitunia series-Calitunia Purple, Fuschia trumpet-shaped flowers with deep purple centers, also in pink.My lists are designed to help you know what you should reasonably expect at the garden center. I have a brief list here, I will continue to update it, but you should not consider it perfect. New cultivars are produced by breeders each year. So that is about how long it has been with us. I found early testing of this plant in public botanical gardens in 2010, with branded varieties about 2013. In Petunias, Color Is Important-What Colors Can Petchoa Give Us?Īs a new hybrid, the Petchoa has two series of cultivars, each with color choices. As a popular new plant, you will find it in season in the big box stores and in local garden centers too. Say it as if it is spelled PetKOAa, and they will know what you want in the garden center. PETunia (the natural parent) and calibraCHOA-second parent. The name comes from the plant’s two parents. Petchoa is the genus and you will find about 20 cultivars. Therefore, the blooms will remain open in light rain and withstand bad weather the best. In addition, petchoa tolerates rain better than other petunia plants. (The Petchoa tolerates high pH levels the best.) So, because it accepts both cooler spring and fall temperatures and late summer heat and humidity, it should outperform either parent! In addition, it can minimize disease as well as pH issues better than either parent. It is well branching (means no pinching), and the foliage is not sticky (less deadheading). It withstands heat, wind, and rain better than either of its parents. Petchoa (pet-KOA-uh) has l arge flowers, as wide as t he Petunia and almost as long. So why do we need another very similar plant, a recently bred hybrid? It is a cross between a Petunia and a Calibrachoa. It is called “million bells” for the very large number of small, but petunia-like blooms. Use calibrachoa for its ability to last longer than petunias into the heat of summer and the unique colors. Later we discovered its unique and valuable ability to be bred in extraordinary colors and the rest is history, However unlike the petunia which was universally loved, almost immediately, the calibrachoa was for many years ignored as hard to grow. So it has a place in our gardens.Ĭalibrachoa was actually discovered in South America in the 19th century. The flower is similar to Petunia, and the plant has better resistance to hot, humid summers than the Petunia. We, gardeners, love Petunias we are happy with the much newer Calibrachoa, which looks like loads of small petunias on a colorful mounding and trailing plant. They remain evergreen perennials throughout most of Australia but in areas of hard frost should be treated as annuals.Do You Wish Petunias Would Last Longer In The Summer? You can enjoy a continuous procession of flowers from spring to frost without a lot of effort. They have a strong root system so will cope well in stressful situations. SuperCal Petchoas even have superior mildew resistance. You will need more water in pots to keep them happy and healthy as potting mix is perfectly drained.Īs you can imagine it is a difficult breeding program to merge two plants and to do it so successfully is a testament to the advancement of the nursery industry. Water to establish and then keep moist in active growth. You can add a liquid fertiliser every other week to keep them blooming at their best, or use a slow release fertiliser spring and summer – remember they flower a lot so need a good supply of nutrients. Grow your SuperCal Petchoas in a sunny spot with well drained soil. ![]() They are frost tolerant and don’t mind the heat - in fact they are more tolerant than either Petunias or Calibrachoas. SuperCal Petchoas will soon be one of your favourite plants. ![]() ![]() Plus, the plants are self cleaning, so you don’t have the hassle of sticky flowers as you do with Petunias. The blooms open across three seasons and are fantastic no matter the weather the flowers remaining open, even after rainfall. You get the big flowers and easy growing nature of the Petunias and the colour, trailing habit and flower power of the Calibrachoa. SuperCal Petchoas are a hybrid of Petunias and Calibrachoas and give you the best of both worlds. The plants have a naturally rounded, well branched habit so there is no need to pinch out the foliage. In pots, choose ones that are around 30-40cm so that the foliage can spill from the sides. In the garden, place them around 40cm apart. SuperCal Petchoas are so wonderfully versatile, they have a semi trailing to trailing habit and can be grown in gardens, containers, window boxes, hanging baskets, as ground covers, garden edging or filler plants in your borders. A premium choice with soft cream to caramel coloured petals.
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