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| Seed packet |
PORTULACA
Portulaca is also known more commonly as Moss Rose. The leaves are succulant and add something to containers. They are so beautiful to have in the flower garden or pots. They are low growing- about 6inches tall. In my containers they flop over the sides a bit which I enjoy. My one complaint with these plants are that they are so delicate and the stems break quite easily. If you remember that and take care when handling them- they are wonderful. Despite the stems being delicate, the plants are tough and require little attention when they are planted in the ground. They store water in their leaves so they don't need to be watered often at all and overwatering will actually hurt them. Give them the care they need when they are small and then plant them and watch them take off. They are a very easy care plant.
WHERE TO GROW
They need Full Sun but I have grown them where they get about half a day of sun and they still flower, though not as well as in full sun.
SOIL
Portulaca likes well drained soil. In the book Annuals For Alberta, it says that they like soil of poor fertility and sandy. I grow mine in regular potting soil with the rest of the flowers and they do fine. Just remember to have soil that drains well and you should be good.
FACTS
Portulaca like dry areas and do not need to or like to be wet. They do well in my rock garden where it is generally pretty dry and sunny. They also don't like to be too wet so don't over water them. They are generally very easy care plants because they prefer less water and soil that isn't very fertile but still do fine in fertile soil too in my experience.
These plants have very tiny seeds and it is recomended to start them indoors so you can keep them from being washed away in a rain storm or something like that. They will also survive much better in my opinion if they get some extra care when they are smaller since they are more delicate.
They do fine grouped together and you don't have to worry about spacing like other plants.
They have a ton of seeds in their seed pods and are very easy to collect seed from. If you want to save some seed for the coming year, or save seed to give someone a packet for a gift-they are a great plant to do this with!
Portulaca is an annual but can self sow and grow back the next year if you let it. I grow them in pots so they don't usually get a chance to self sow. But in a rock garden or flower bed they could come back the next year if you want them to.
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| Portulaca seeds-very tiny! |
Sources. Where I have gotten information from when researching the plants.
Annuals For Alberta By Laura Peters and Donna Dawson
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