This year I grew some Petchoa – a cross between Petunias and Calibrachoas.
They sold themselves to me by the amazing virtues of not being sticky. Unlike petunias. And not needing deadheading in order to keep flowering. You can see the droopy deadheads above. Charles began by removing them but soon gave up.
We have some shelving we built on a South facing wall of the house.
It always looks as if Charles did everything by himself – because I take these pictures. He calls them ‘snaps’.
And every summer I have plants on it.
Why I imagine this is better than the much despised hanging basket, I have no idea. (could be an interesting discussion, that)
Don’t know what these were. You probably know. I think the white things may be petunias.
I’ve had succulents there for a few years. They have the advantage of really not needing watering and actually enjoying the shelter. You will observe that these shelves are wooden and therefore, even when it pours with rain, the pots on the shelves stay dry.
This year, though, I decided I wanted colour and drama back.
So Petchoa were purchased.
Tiny to start..
They didn’t look very dramatic to start off with. This (above) was mid May. But things soon(ish) looked up. This (below) is a month later.
Then they went mad.
And were much admired.
By visitors who mostly thought they were petunias. Ha! Not sticky! They have needed watering every day, in a very wet and cold summer. I don’t mind that so much, as it removes any doubt about whether to water or not. I think you’re told to be careful with watering but they wilted quickly with me. And recovered well when soaked.
At the begining of September they still didn’t look too bad. Though I got little bored with them and they were a bit manky.
They hadn’t completely gone.
Then I just got totally fed up with them and let them die!
So what do I think, overall?
They’ve done well in the drama and colour stakes. Some are very attractive:
Note the droopy deadheads though.
They are rather big and clunky. They have drama but they didn’t touch me. Bit vulgar?
I think next year I’ll go back to one which was a real favourite, Calibrachoas, which was only marred for me by the need to water every day. (Watering has got easier by the addition of a nearby hose. Which looks bad. A problem, that) Well, that’s not different to Petchoas. They are a smaller, prettier flower. And I think I’ll put them on capillary matting next year, so they might be more tolerant of a missed day.
What do you think? Next year?
These will do in the meantime.
Next year you might try selecting only one color calibrachoa (or whatever name you want to call the diminutive petunias) and mix it with forgiving container plants including coleus and something trailing like a sweet potato vine.
Strangely, although I might mix colours (of the same plant) I wouldn’t enjoy a mix of plants like that.
I have enjoyed them but I do think the wide range of colours was a little vulgar. But they certainly performed. I wonder what they cost? Is there a consideration of value for money?
It does cost a bit to fill those shelves with anything but what we might have to hand – like the succulents for example. It’s not terrible – I buy them as plugs and pot them on, but that’s still the cost of compost.
Back to succulents?
Or sack Charles?????
Definitely NOT sack Charles! I personally like all the mixed colors. I like petunias, calibrachoa and would probably like petchoa. I do find that after some time both petunias and calibachoa need to be cut back (chopped!) or they get looking leggy. At this stage mine just need to be thrown on the compost pile as we have a long growing season here and they are looking worn out. Since you now have a hose nearby you might want to consider some drip irrigation into all those pots.
OK, he can stay and we’ll negotiate.
I think the plants did fine until quite late and by which time I was bored and felt it was time for the next season. So that’s good as far as the plants were concerned.
I’ve tried drip irrigation in the past without much joy, and the thing is that the rest of the terrace is full of pots which also need watering unless it rains. This year they were well rained on but that changes in this unpredictable British climate. That hose is useful. And a problem!
Although they needed daily watering, their vibrant growth and appeal made them a standout, even though some visitors confused them with petunias.
The vote is still out in my garden. I grew yellow calibrachoa from seed, selected for their color and sown in small pots. They grew nicely but demanded that I water them. I am not a fan of watering, nor of fussy plants. Their cousins, bedded down in my front yard, were even more demanding. We had a drought and since I could not keep up with watering, they grew spindly. I am guessing petchoa would have the same fate.
They get a 10 on looks, a 3 on labor. I am going to opt for snaps or lantana or something for next year’s annuals.
Fair enough!