How to plant Portulaca grandiflora

Portulaca grandiflora , also known as foreign purslane and sunflower, is a common ornamental plant. It is easy to propagate by cuttings or sowing. It generally blooms from June to September, and the flowers are very beautiful. Below, I will introduce the planting method of Portulaca oleracea. Let’s take a look.

1. Soil

Portulaca grandiflora has strong adaptability and is not very demanding on soil, but well-drained sandy soil is preferred. You can prepare the culture soil yourself, generally use 3 parts of cultivated soil, 5 parts of yellow sand, 2 parts of rice husk ash or fine sawdust, and add a little superphosphate powder and mix evenly.

2. Lighting

Portulaca grandiflora prefers an environment with plenty of sunlight, and insufficient light will affect its flowering. Therefore, whether it is potted or planted in the ground, you should choose a place with sufficient light.

3. Temperature

Portulaca grandiflora likes warmth, and the suitable growth temperature is 20-30℃. In winter, it needs to be moved indoors and the temperature kept above 10℃ to avoid frost damage.

4. Watering

Portulaca grandiflora is drought-resistant but not moisture-tolerant, so water it in moderation to avoid waterlogging. During the growth period, you can increase the frequency of watering appropriately, but make sure the soil is not too wet.

5. Fertilization

Portulaca grandiflora does not require much fertilizer , but a moderate amount of fertilizer can promote more lush growth and more flowering. Generally, apply decomposed thin fertilizer every 7-10 days.

6. Reproduction

It can be propagated by sowing or cuttings. When sowing, the seeds are very small and can be sown in seedling trays. The germination temperature is 21-24℃, and the seedlings will emerge in about 7-10 days. Cutting propagation is usually carried out in summer, and the top of the tender stem about 5 cm long is cut as cuttings.

7. Pest and disease control

Portulaca grandiflora is less susceptible to diseases and pests, but attention should be paid to the prevention and control of common pests such as aphids.

8. Overwintering

After the frost, move the plant to a sunny place indoors and keep the soil slightly dry so that it can safely overwinter.

The above is an introduction to the planting method of Portulaca oleracea. Portulaca oleracea is popular for its colorful flowers and easy maintenance. During the high temperatures in summer, proper shade is needed to avoid damage to the leaves due to excessive exposure to the sun.