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Where can I get 'million bells?'
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Posted by elita (My Page) on Mon, Oct 5, 09 at 15:06
| Hello all,
I'm sorry if this isn't the right forum to post my question, but I'm fairly new to this site.
I live in southern CA. I'm new to this board and I just learned about calibrachoa [million bells] that someone at the AOL boards suggested. When I searched "million bells," on Google, I absolutely fell in love with these flowers! My very favorite flowers are petunias, but all four containers I planted from seed this year, [the flowers mainly], were mercilessly attacked by worms. It was such a heartbreak! Now I'm wanting to know where I can buy or get some of these beautiful flowers, calibrachoas? Anyone out there know? Also, are these flowers vulnerable to being attacked by worms as petunias are? I posted similar question somewhere on this site, but I couldn't find my way back to my OP. I'd really appreciate any info. TIA. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| Million bells season is definitely over in much of the country. You might try posting on the California forum where they would still be offered for sale this time of year--at least in the warmer parts of the state. |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| And calibrachoa ARE petunias, so get budworms as well. |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| elita, in most of the country, the time to purchase flowering annuals and perennials is over, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if you can find them in your area. Especially considering that, like their larger cousins (Petunias), they can withstand freezes and frosts. You can find this pretty little plant in ANY garden center, big box store, etc. It has been very popular for several years. Look for them in hanging baskets. |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| Hi rhizo, Thank you for your friendly post and for pointing out that calibrachoas are "cousins" of petunias and not "petunias" themselves, as I was informed and as I didn't think they were. And yes, I think I've seen hanging baskets with calibrachoas flowers at the Lowes and Home Depot garden center. Thanks again. ~Elita |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| Excuse me for not getting technical by calling them cousins to petunias. I was trying to keep it simple. Nonetheless, they are every bit as susceptible to the same pests as petunias. Please keep in mind that you will not find seed for calibrachoas, but plants are typically readily available at most nurseries at appropriate times. |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| << Please keep in mind that you will not find seed for calibrachoas, but plants are typically readily available at most nurseries at appropriate times.>> °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Yes, thank you, but was already aware that calibrachoas are sterile. Thanx anyway and for the info on the pests. |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| Calibrachoas are not sterile, just produce very little seed, so it's economically advantageous to propagate them vegetatively. They have been bred against petunias, and since they are distant enough genetically suspect the offspring to be really sterile. |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| The cross between Petunia and Calibrachoa is sometimes called Petchoa Some cultivars of the cross are marketed as Calitunias. They must be fairly closely related if they can be crossed with each other. I think they are available as cuttings or as plants, but not as seeds. ZM |
RE: Where can I get 'million bells?'
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| They're distant enough genetically they do not have compatible chromosome numbers, so the offspring would be sterile having an odd number. |
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