Million Bells/Calibrachoa different colors this year

13 years ago

Last year, I bought a hanging basket of million bells. They were a purple/maroon color. I did nothing for them over the winter, so the flowers died down. I left the stems intact, though...no clipping. However, they came back this year! The weird thing is, they are coming back red and yellow--not the purple/maroon color. I like the red and purple much better, so I am happy with that. :)

Why would they change colors, though? I have people telling me it is soil pH, but I didn't think that had an affect on other flowers as much as it does hydrangeas?

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

13 years ago

I don't think it's ususual for a perennial's phenotype to sort of scatter, especially after a dormant period. Instead of expressing the expected genes....the ones pictured on the label, so to speak, other genes jump up and demand to be heard. Does that make sense?

Not that you asked. But if that were my plant, I'd cut it back severely to get rid of those bare, woody stems and allow the plant to regrow. It will be so pretty!

What does the medium (medium for singular, media or mediums when discussing different types, brands, recipes...more than the one medium in your pot.) feel like to you? Think it could support a plant for another season? Very few can.

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
are you saying the old plants leafed out and changed..

or are these seedlings in the pot.. if the plant is actually not sterile ...

can you favor us with a picture ...

do you think the potting media.. is OK? ....

ken
TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
13 years ago
Definitely the old plant, since I did not cut any stems until it started leafing out this spring. It actually still looks ratty since only part of the stems leafed out (trimming it is on my list). Far as potting media...no idea. I have not changed the soil fom last year. I am guessing I should?

So, I see that it is now three colors : purple, red, and yellow. I am loving it...just curious as to why. :)
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TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
13 years ago
And the other side/top:
TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
13 years ago
Rhizo, that does make sense. Thx! I didn't think pH would do it. :)

I was wondering if I should clip it back. I am going to repot it first and give it a few weeks (does that sound right) and then clip it. Thx!

This post was edited by carolinaflowerlover on Tue, Apr 30, 13 at 16:08
TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
13 years ago
Rhizo, turns out they are three different plants. One is its own color (one red, one yellow, one purple). It must be the gene thing. Last year, all three wanted to be maroon/purple. This year, they want to be different. :)