Best Tips for CALIBRACHOAS (Million Bells) - How to Keep Calibrachoas Looking Great

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to give us a Thumbs Up, and Subscribe. You can find more at our www.BeatYourNeighbor.com website. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and get a promo code for our Beat Your Neighbor fertilizer.🙂

[@bubblerings]

Does a few handfuls of Perlite help the overwatering sensitivity?? Placed at the bottom.. To help roots breathe instead of rotting?

[@GraceandFaith402]

I love these beautiful tiny flowers. We water once in the morning and water in late evening. We hav very good luck either way these cuties. We constantly feed. (Deluged) one of my favorites. No dead heading, easy care. 4 years now growing. You have Very beautiful baskets.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thank you!

[@meganproffitt424]

May I ask how much you water at each time?

[@ennoirt]

Many thanks for this info, confirms what I found out the hard way - I killed every Cali I bought in a matter of days, it seemed, simply by OVERWATERING. This year, I was determined to keep one alive and healthy, a gorgeous yellow/orange/red mix I just couldnt resist, despite my previous "bad luck" with them. I've been watering VERY lightly every morning (just a wigwag of water with weak fertilizer) over the top of the entire basket, and after a month, it's flourishing, with tons of new flowers! It's happy, and so am I! 😊

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your success.

[@stonecottageadventures304]

I have had wonderful success growing calibrachoa is my hay trough type window boxes. With the coco mat, they are never over watered.

[@bubblerings]

Thank you!! Coconut fiber Liner?

[@marshabailey1029]

I find that my calibrachoa do better with morning sun and afternoon shade…they grow tons better for me with those conditions

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@ThesmartestTem]

Same with mine.

[@changinlooks1]

Thanks for sharing that! I’m in northeast Iowa and I’ve been leaving them in 8-10 hours of sun, I had kept them too wet last year. I’m going to try that afternoon shade and see if that helps.

[@chuckkolb1270]

excellent information especially the mini-petunia. Well done. Standing among all those blooms was a stunning choice.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thank you.

[@CindyLauri-e4s]

I am a seasoned gardener and have had great success with most everything EXCEPT Calibrichoas! Thanks for your suggestions!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@bubblerings]

Am guessing the most common experience is this: You miss the regular watering schedule, and see droopy stems and blooms. You give a good watering,and it starts to droop again.. The next water kills the whole thing! Been there.. Need to give a medium water and wait.. If the medium is too soggy at the bottom it will eventually fail. I like the above comment about using a coco mat. Am gonna try! Cheers to you all! 😍🍻🌻

[@bubblerings]

Was even thinking of plastic pond filter mat.. It won't collapse and break down...

[@galelackey7666]

@@bubbleringsmy stems after the first hot sun turn brown and they don’t seem to come back after that

[@debbieforand6514]

Now my new favorite! I had one plant this season and fell in love with it. Now I want more!!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Good choice!

[@LindaKing-m2i]

Mine did great last summer. I did use your BYN fertilizer. Love them ! I actually had to trim them back once !!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

That's great!

[@bethharper3900]

First year I’ve put them in a hanging basket. 2 baskets and one looks beautiful and the other dies. The dead one got too much water but I watered them the same. One gets all day sun and the dead one got more afternoon shade. I do like the fact that I don’t have to deadhead!!

[@nottheone1357]

I care for about 700 Calibrachoas each year and have maybe 3 or 4 die. I agree that watering the correct amount is probably the #1 thing to watch, I don't fertilize but the planters are huge and I start off with the correct Ph soil.

[@banderaitaly]

These do so well for me in East Tn. I prefer them over regular petunias and some have even overwintered for me

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Really?! Wow, that is so cool that you can save your callies.

[@jeansenn2831]

My D'Arcy Calibrachoas also survived our (albeit) mild winter here in South Carolina. I companioned it in a large container with a Vining sweet potato, and they both flourished. In the coldest days of winter, I actually placed the mulched-up leaves of our live oak inside the pot around the roots, and they were blooming 🎉 in January! My D'Arcy loved rainwater, Miracle-Gro plant food, and every now and then, what I call "rice" and "pasta" water; about a quarter to a third of a cup of cooled fluid left over after I cook rice/pasta. This was one babied plant as you can see.

[@NinaPapperman]

I get them every year and love them! Thanks for the video!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thanks for watching!

[@cs4201]

I love these videos. I live in Japan currently (military) and it is hard to know what exactly i am buying. Google translate is not always precise i find. So your videos are helping a ton because i can see exactly what is what. Figuring out soil and fertilizer is another whole ordeal. Lol petunias have grown wonderful here but I am hoping to get them bigger this year.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thank you for serving!

[@philipatoz]

Very useful video. Got them a week ago and, yep, I've been drowning them! But full sun in the Southeast maybe way to much for them.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

They are fickle. The care needs to be right on with callies, but they turn out gorgeous when it is right.

[@philipatoz]

Well, three days of less harsh light, some Osmokote, HALF the water (10 seconds of spray), and they're suddenly looking MUCH better. How long can they get - do you have to occasionally cut them back? Thanks!

[@shirleyhartman1964]

Im learning so much! Thank you so much for all your information. ❤

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

You are so welcome!

[@cathywilliamson2383]

Those sure are beautiful. I'll look for them

[@dannac_8888]

High Light, Lower pH And Careful Watering Are Keys To Success When some basic guidelines are followed, growing calibrachoa is easy; the guidelines are the same for all series. The key factors to focus on are providing high light levels, avoiding overwatering and providing good air circulation. The genus calibrachoa comes from the rocky hillsides of Brazil for the most part, so that is a good indication of the growing conditions the plants prefer. They need EXCELLENT drainage, love sun and do best when the air is moving. Calibrachoa need full sun, at least 8 hours a day, and are generally drought-tolerant and quite heat-tolerant. The plants can grow leggy and produce fewer flowers if planted in the shade. There are many calibrachoa hybrids today that tolerate partial sun, however. Optimal pH is between 5.5 and 5.8. At higher pH (above 6.0), the plant loses its ability to pick up iron from the soil, so the first signs of high pH are yellowing and chlorosis. If this goes on too long, plants will lose vigor, have reduced branching and begin to decline. The key is maintaining pH below 6.0 to 6.5. Additional foliar iron can be applied if the problem is caught early enough, but unless you fix the soil pH, you’ll be fighting the problem all through the season. Use a balanced fertilizer with no more than 25 to 30 percent ammoniacal nitrogen. Reduce ammonium levels if you are starting to get too much stretch. Most calibrachoa benefit from elevated levels of iron in their fertilizer (1 to 2 ppm). Growing Temperature: 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C)! As long as they hardened off, most calibrachoa can tolerate a mild frost +/- 28ºF. Light Levels: Always High (+ 5,000 ftc) to promote compact growth and to accelerate natural branching capabilities. Water Requirements: Average, but if in doubt, allow plants to dry slightly (do not dry to wilting stage). Remember these are native to cliffs and rocky slopes and require excellent drainage. Be very careful of overwatering, especially under cold, low-light conditions. Begin allowing the media to dry between irrigations once the roots have formed through the new mix. It is imperative not to overwater plants once they have established themselves in the new media. Pests and diseases are onset from overwatering.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thanks

[@lorilandwehr803]

Love your store and love love love your dogs!!! Great video- I thought it was just me :o(

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thanks!

[@mickidonahue4038]

I thought was me. Thanks for Cali care info

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Glad to help. They are fickle.

[@thepoofster2251]

Thanks for the vid! Ur awesome!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@footletuce1376]

The Proven winner and monrovia brand calibrachoas do quite well for me. Love their colors.

[@christinarae9954]

Gosh, thank you! I thought it was me, lol! Skipped the morning water and that was it😭

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Glad we could help with the tips!

[@0jessicarabbit279]

My mom passed away and her calibrachoa came back after winter. While we renovated her house (prior to moving back in) they just sat for a year straight. Entire season of no watering and when I finally came back they were overflowing out of her huge garden pot that next summer. The ones she had only got afternoon/harsh 8b sun and I trimmed a little of the dried bits & watered it well about once a week and it flushed out even more (no fertilizer) That’s the only reason I bought them again this year-Apparently even though they aren’t supposed to be a perennial for us in zone 8- I live in GA and that same cali has come back every year (3rd year now).

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Wow! That's amazing.

[@0jessicarabbit279]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses I agree! It’s like they had a will to live- either way I’m definitely following your advice with the new ones I just purchased//ty for the video! 🥰

[@1myfreeway1]

Thank you for doing this video. I just purchased 3 calibrachoa and didn't find a video on how to care for them on your channel yesterday. I didn't like any videos on other channels because I like how you thoroughly explain about plants and was so excited to see this video you just posted. Unfortunately I can't get your fertilizer because I live in Colorado. 🫤

[@evaflannagan4918]

I live in KC Mo I LOVE milions bells. Easiest plants ! I have 6 hanging baskets

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

They can be, but for others a challenge.

[@paintbynumbermonalisa4187]

2 years, mine got attacked by some pests each time, but last year I constantly sprayed insecticidal soap mixed with neem oil and removed stems which just has too many of these tiny mites and eventually the pests were gone. I bought another one this year, hopefully I don’t have the same problem as last year as this is just my favourite flower for hanging baskets.

[@karencheney2347]

I just found your channel-I will now feed my Cali's much more frequently. I bought a hanging one and immediately transplanted it into a big pot so I will water consistently and feed them more than my other pots! Thanks!

[@jeanne819]

Hi loved my hanging baskets purchased May in NY and July and not one flower. What is the fertilizer numbers to use on these ? thanks

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Our Beat Your Neighbor fertilizer is 20-21-19 and fantastic at pushing out the blooms and giving growth. BYN can be found here: www.BeatYourNeighbor.com

[@jeanne819]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhousesthank you !! I see one large plant has two tiny flowers blooming today lol

[@marcynovak2411]

Thank you! Admittedly I am not good with watering consistently. I will try harder but the first thing I need to do is the weekly fertilizing! My grandma taught me that when I was a little girl but kind of went to the wayside because I invest in new miracle gro potting soil annually…guess I need to rethink that since my containers have been looking sad the last few years. Thanks for the types on calibrachoa because they never do well for me and are always a bit of a let down. I’m going to have to look at the moisture meter tool as well.

[@bonnied3598]

In Michigan, I had good luck with them last year using your fertilizer. Hope they're just as good this year (knock wood!) because I purchased 5 hanging baskets and more to plant in pots.

[@mdirollo]

I stumbled on your videos today and am now a subscriber. I'm not exactly a novice gardener - I've been dabbling for around 10 years and have parleyed my self-acquired knowledge into a small gardening business. I found the videos on Calibrachoa to be especially helpful as it is one of my favorites as well as that of many of my customers. Yet it remains one of my many gardening frontiers that I've yet to conquer (but I'm getting close). I do have a question about pests that seem to infest Calibrachoas - aphids: I've noticed that Calibrachoa seem to be magnets for small pests and particularly aphids. I have a neighbor who puts her plants out and then gives no attention to them other than watering. Every year her plants get infested with aphids that, once done with hers, decide to migrate over to my healthy, delicious plants - and they sure seem to like the Calibrachoas in particular. This year I've been trying a new approach to combat this problem and that is to add a bit of Neem oil once every week to my fertilizing regimen. At first I tried the method that involves spraying the plant but I find that to be too cumbersome - besides which I've recently discovered that getting the Neem oil into the plant via the root system not only seems to be the easier method but is just as effective as well. What I've also learned is that it's best to use Neem prophylactically (as a preventative) - so starting earlier in the season is a great way to get a jump on the situation BEFORE the aphid infestation occurs. An ounce of prevention - so to speak. I've also found that weekly application of the Neem oil is also critical since it's not a hard-core pesticide which means that regular/weekly low-dose application is necessary. So here's my question: Am I on the right track with regard to caring for my calibrachoas? Many thanks.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

We are big proponents of prevention, that's why we preach on using a systemic insecticide to stop the problem before it gets out of hand. So you are on track to the right solution, but would suggest using a systemic as preventative first. We have a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKXdpWiAlNCffLc&ab_channel=BeatYourNeighborPlantFood%26Fertilizer

[@innie80]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thank you for watching!

[@loyclan]

I love & buy million bells every year in May. By this time (August) they look terrible. I live in West Virginia where it gets in the hot 90’s every day. They are in all sun. I water each night after the sun goes down. The stems get so brittle they snap off & flowers are practically gone. I wish I could show you a picture

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Watering at night is generally a bad idea. Try watering in the morning. Check out our watering video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZOUdJSVlsyLeMk&ab_channel=BeatYourNeighborPlantFood%26Fertilizer

[@spfunk8812]

Yes having trouble with mine that's why i'm watching this video to understand how to care for

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Thanks for watching!

[@n.w.414]

I love calibrachoa s, I even got to grow them from seed one spring. They did great. But now I can’t find seeds anywhere, so sad. But yea, no problems growing them. They have even wilted a bit when they got too dry but after watering they perked up just great. Not sure why you think they are fussy. I feed them once a week.

[@shannonrudko4887]

I had two gorgeous hanging pots of these, but they ONCE AGAIN are looking like crap. Can I bring them back? Lots if dead blooms and brown leaves, especially in the top. I try every year… i am determined yo be successful with these!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Did they go dry or get over-watered consistently? We need to diagnose the why if this is a consistent problem for you (habit.)

[@n.w.414]

Our calibrachoa do great in both shade and sun. Best in sun. They are our favourite for the yard. I even grew them from seed one year and they did great. Unfortunately they don’t seem to be available as seed anymore. I am not a petunia fan at all, horrible. The mini petunias here might be better.

[@nicoleleatherman9501]

What are recommendations if I planted them in the ground?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Just watch your watering on them, they are a little fussy as mentioned in the video. And they like their feed, at least once a week.

[@dawnschneider9505]

The only time I had trouble was when I repotted one into a larger hanging basket. Bad idea. It did not like that and all the yellow ones in the basket died and the rest never recovered. 😥

[@devonneharris5997]

Found a beautiful basket on clearance at Walmart, nice greener but not alot of blooms will they rebloom? Scared to fertilize since it’s been watered after the storm last night

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Hard to say if they will bloom. Most of the plant material at the big box retailers use such cheap soil that they just don't last.

[@dannac_8888]

Repot it in some good soil!

[@nooksandcrannies9871]

Help. I want to reuse my containers from previous years. How do I property clean them so my new plants are happy in my older pots.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

We have a blog article here on that topic: beatyourneighbor.com/blog/organically-disinfecting-recycled-pots/

[@JohnSmith-dn6fk]

How do you over winter them,or propagate

[@loiscarteaux9389]

So helpful! And thanks for the alternative!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

You're so welcome!

[@renee8813]

So temperamental, I can never do well with them😭 I will follow your tips and report back😅👍

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Good luck!

[@rogerdodson8584]

How do I keep my Calibrachoa hanging basket blooming all summer? I buy them and after say 6 weeks they stop blooming. I fertilize them and use the blooming fertilize at least once a week and they still stop blooming. The baskets are 12 inche.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

They probably need to be fed more. Once a week is minimum for calibrachoa. Try twice a week or going to a constant feed at a half-strength with the BYN fertilizer.

[@g.e.b.8159]

What is the right pH level for the soil?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Usually around 5 to 6.5

[@g.e.b.8159]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses Thanks.

[@dianedd332184]

Yes, mine are almost gone. I hope this video helps

[@debbieharber9605]

Is there a way to revive calibracoas?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

It's tough but can be done.

[@debbieharber9605]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses any tips?

[@debbieharber9605]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses I’ve read all the comments from other people and have decided to give up on this basket and buy a new one. I think I’ve learned a lot about them and will try again. Thanks. I ordered some of your fertilizer so that will help

[@joyfuller6641]

I tried them in self-watering pots in two places this year. I was not impressed with their performance. Both had afternoon sun. I fertilized weekly.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Callies can be tricky. Everything needs to be right on.

[@CharLord-o9x]

Mine get really leggy midsummer. Any advice?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

They should be nice and full, make sure to fertilize at least once a week (minimum) with calibrachoas.

[@ConstanceFigliola]

What is the best time of the day to fertilize?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

In the morning is best, as with your normal watering routine.

[@krisyallowega5487]

The only issue I had with Calibrachoas was overwintering. They must be too tender of a perennial and won't survive a long winter even indoors.

[@daniellemckoy2669]

My calibrocha came back this year in their old pots from last year. They are doing great. I hate I threw the rest of my old pots of calibrocha away.

[@krisyallowega5487]

@@daniellemckoy2669 That is great to hear, I am so happy for you! I think my error was in the timing of bringing them inside. The Autumn temperatures drop pretty low at night. Sometimes just one or so degrees above freezing. That shocks the plant too much and practically kills it off. This year if I find that I want to keep a tender perennial or two I will try and get it inside around Labour Day.

[@marykenhanzel6726]

I heard cali’s attract hummingbirds….is that correct?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yes, they do.

[@janiceforwoodson4593]

I have mine in cocoa baskets! They're dying. Is that possibly my problem? What drains out immediately.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

That would be our guess. We aren't big fans of the coco liners.

[@KarenCarps]

​@@SharkeysFloralGreenhousesThis is so frustrating. We're in Raleigh, North Carolina and our local family-owned garden center said that these would be well served in coco liner hanging baskets. They're hung under a front porch, south facing and I'm realizing they might not be getting enough sun.

[@midnightblue117]

I had a lot of trouble! Unfortunately I won’t buy these flowers again😢

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yup, they take some learning but keep trying.

[@latrishamckannon7224]

I killed mine with in 2 weeks =(...and Im going to assume it may have been from over watering, but not by me by nature...just so happened to rain for a few days in a row after buying while also getting sun. So I thought that would actually be good for flowers bc you natures free water but apparently I should have probably brought them in from the rain.

[@Nala1026]

Mine where beautiful we had a lot of rain yesterday and today they are a hot mess....

[@pamst-pierre9117]

What about if it`s rain for a few days, should I bring them in????????

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Great question...yes, if you are going to get a long period of rain it may be best to put them somewhere safe. We have a video on watering on those overcast days here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIeUpZqqgt2fhLs

[@pamst-pierre9117]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses thankyou. Today it's annonce 2 or 3 Days off rain

[@karenfreist2889]

I have brown/dead growth on the underside. Should I cut them back by a third? I repotted today into a larger pot. They were root bound in the nursery pot.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Undersides are normally brown because there is no light and the foliage dies off, but the sunny side does well which is the only part you should see. We have a video referencing the same issue with petunias here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4iUqnyphNqSodU

[@joannPauley]

CAN YOU PLANT THESE OUT SIDE

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yes, you can.

[@margaretunderwood6835]

I bought a on clearance million bells hanging basket. I cut everything back, fed it, now starting to turn yellow, still flowering though

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Try fertilizing at least 2-3 times a week to see if it will green up and fill in the foliage. The ph could be off too.

[@jeandavidnau8314]

Can i cut them back to " start over"???

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

You can if need be. Normally we don't, we just try to get them to come around on their own.

[@Desilewie]

I never have any trouble with growing and maintaining every color but yellow. For some reason, I cannot keep the yellow million bells growing.???

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yup, for whatever reason yellow can be very touchy (yellow petunias too.)

[@dennydiante2434]

why don't you ship to New Mexico?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

You only ship to certain states. Why? Due to state licensing and regulations of fertilizer, at this time we only ship to these states: AK, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI and WV *Feel free to ship to a family or friend that lives in one of the above states that can forward it to you.

[@JV-dx5uv]

So what level on the moisture meter is the minimal to water again?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

They can go drier, so on the lower limits of the meter but be careful that it doesn't stay dry for too long.

[@DebbieForand]

Two years in a my calibrachoa dies in the middle. Its still blooming but theiddle of the plant is horrible. I followed your advice after this happening last year. What could I be doing wrong?? 😭

[@bettywillard9168]

Will they handle reporting?

[@bettywillard9168]

Opps..will they handle repotting?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

@@bettywillard9168 yes, we are doing a video on that next.

[@kar6074]

This year SUCKS with all the rain and cold… first limp and wilted, then dead. They look like they’ve never been watered once dead. I also have hard well water. Sooo picky.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yes, tough year all over. We have had lots of rain too, with hardly any warm weather yet.

[@jackilyncaraballo6586]

Hello! I always thought calibrachoas and petunias were “cousins”. Same family different genera. So not completely different plants?

[@jeanking4172]

Please show us how to use the water meter. Should it read moist or wet.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

You want it to be on the "drier" side so definitely not wet. Error to the side of being a little less moist.

[@KathleenSchumacher-b1n]

I had great success ONE year. Problem child plant😂 followed same care the next year, nope! Struggled.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

That's a good way of putting it. They can be like that one child that just causes grief, lol.

[@Birdie83]

My mom gave me those flower as a gift and because of my school I just forgot to take care of it right now I have all the the route otherwise the plant already dead but I put the roots in glass of water to see how I can get it back to life again what should I do in this situation by the way I don’t want to lose this flower because it’s really important😢

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yeah, as mentioned in the video calibrachoas are unforgiving to lack of care. Putting the roots in straight water will not get them to come back. The need correct consistent care right from the start.

[@jeandavidnau8314]

Got 2 hangings that were great. They got just a little dry and lost most of their flowers. They just don't look great

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yeah, calibrachoas don't like extremes (too dry or too wet.) They are not forgivers on care.

[@MokenchiTV]

What is dead head?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Pinching off the flowers.

[@MokenchiTV]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses oh ok, thanks 👍🏾

[@naturally2729]

Beat your neighbour 😂😂😂 How competitive are you guys? 😂😂😂

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Very! We want to be the best...and we are.

[@cas0673]

I am so upset. My friend bought me a calibrachoas. I didn't realize they were so delicate. Now I have a basket of all dead flowers. How can I revive my plant?

[@acoutez]

I bought 5 calibrachoa hanging baskets about a month ago that were beautiful and very full. Almost immediately, they began to look a little less healthy and it seems they were eaten alive by aphids. At least I think they are aphids and appear as tiny black spots. I've sprayed with Neem oil and also released lady bugs around them and nothing. Help! Also, the leaves are beginning to look very small, not like when I brought them home. Otherwise, they are "healthy"😉. Right now it seems I am fighting a losing battle but I hate to give up just yet. Is it a lost cause?

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

If we find aphids we declare war on them and hit hard with a good insecticide spray like these: Bonide Systemic Insecticde: amzn.to/3kS4jR9 Bonide Garden Dust: amzn.to/3HGK3uR Bonide Malathion: amzn.to/3WJtnHd We do have a video on taking care of aphids here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4TPfKp6Z556o9k

[@annj8137]

The first time I bought this plant was about 20 years ago. It was very hardy, grew and blossomed like crazy. I loved it. They are not the same anymore. The blossoms are larger, and the plant does not get as big as it used to. I got so frustrated with it, that I refuse to buy it anymore. It's sad.

[@suekostreva5785]

I used to plant them in milk cans, easy to grow. Just water and they would grow all the way down the milk can, not any more. Not anymore 😢

[@thanhquach5667]

I have lots of problems with them next year no more

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

They are fickle, but worth learning how to grow them.

[@paulefstathiou1819]

Where is the volume ??!!

[@JeanaBeana96]

The Home Depot guy lied to me about how “maintenance free” and “beginner friendly” these plants are. I can’t keep the damn things alive.

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Yeah, Home Depot isn't growing the plants so they know nothing about their care. Go to your local greenhouse where they actually are growing the flowers.

[@sraa1952]

" Stick the moisture meter and it will tell you where the plant is".....what!?!?!...so its a plant finder?? Confused 😕

[@flutefun999]

I have (had) 4 very crabby ones... lasted 2 weeks... then I missed ONE day of watering and they just fled the pot. They were gorgeous while they lasted. Ugh..waste of money!

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

Try the mini-petunias if you like the look without the hassle.

[@flutefun999]

@@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses That is definitely my plan and I totally appreciate that tip. Sales are on now since it is past labor day so hope to spend less this time. (I'm in MN). :). Thank you!

[@rtshaw3621]

I completely disagree. I have large planters in front of my apartment complex that I water only once a week. I let them dry out between watering's and sometimes it's in the am or pm. They always produce beautifully. I live in NW Ohio

[@SharkeysFloralGreenhouses]

These videos are general information and as stated if they are growing well keep doing what works.

[@jeanmank6342]

Argh! The plant that loves to torture me.