Last updated on June 28th, 2022 at 10:17 am
Calandrinia spectabilis, also known as rock purslane, is a succulent plant that will grow in full sun or partial shade. It can be propagated from cuttings taken in late summer and rooted under mist, but it also grows well from seed.
Sow calandrinia seeds on top of the potting soil after soaking them overnight to soften their hard coating; sprinkle with sand for good drainage before covering with an inch or two of peat moss mix, which should stay moist until germination begins then become drier as plants develop.
Cut back calandrinia spectabilis growth if it becomes too leggy by spring when new leaves have sprouted up all over the stalk. You may want to trim calendula’s above-ground stems back after the blooming season to favor more calandrinia flowers.
Many people confuse calandrinia spectabilis with calendula, and while they’re both members of the calendula family (which includes three other species), calandrinia spectabilis is not a true calendula.
Calandrinia spectabilis propagation
Calandrinia spectabilis is a perennial that grows best when planted from seed, but calendula seeds may be difficult to find and expensive; calendulas grow less attractively than calandrinia due to lack of showiness and vibrant colors – calandrinia produces flowers that measure approximately six inches across on average, making it one of the largest varieties of petunias around.
Propagation is by seed, stem cuttings, and division. Seeds should be pre-chilled for three days before planting in containers of moistened peat moss or calcareous sand (or a mixture), to which perlite may also be added. The seeds need light to germinate; cover the container with clear plastic wrap and keep it at 75°F (24°C) until sprouts appear.
Remove the plastic wrap and move the pot into brighter light conditions so that they’ll grow strong enough to endure being outdoors later on if necessary. If you’re propagating from stems, remove side shoots as these can become plants themselves once rooted off their original plant using techniques like layering or cutting back just beyond an actively growing node.
Cut back calandrinia to 12-15 inches and remove any leaves below the cut, then put a small amount of rooting hormone in each wound before dipping it into a container with an equal mixture of moistened peat moss and perlite, or calcareous sand mixed together.
Calandrinia spectabilis care
Calandrinia spectabilis is a low-maintenance groundcover that can be used as a moisture retainer or planted in the front of flowerbeds. It’s not picky about soil type and does well even when neglected for weeks at a time, although it will eventually grow into an unruly mess if too much sun goes to its head.
If you’re using calandrinia as part of your container garden, make sure it gets watered every day during hot summer months (during warmer parts of spring and fall as well) so that these plants remain looking their best all year long.
It requires full sun to partial shade with average water requirements.
Light requirements
Calandrinia spectabilis prefers full sun or partial shade but is not harmed by brief exposure to midday direct sunlight. calandrinia spectabilis does best with at least six hours of bright light each day when grown indoors near a window that provides morning and afternoon brightness.
Calandrinia will grow well in filtered shade outdoors as long as it is provided with ample water for the first couple of months after planting.
Calandrinias planted outside should have some part exposed to midmorning and late afternoon sunshine throughout the year because they do require some quantity of this intensity during certain times of their life cycle in order to bloom properly during those seasons.
Soil requirements
calandrinia spectabilis prefers well-drained soil with plenty of organic material and acidic pH. If Calandrinia is planted in an area where the soil does not drain properly, it will need regular watering until drainage improves.
Calandrinias are sensitive to being overwatered because they have thick fleshy roots that quickly rot if left submerged for too long, so avoid planting them in low areas or at the base of slopes that tend to collect water.
If you want your calandrina plants to be able to resist droughts better without wilting as regularly, then make sure they receive plenty of light throughout their life cycle – including time outside during midday hours when direct sunlight can reach them most easily.
Watering Calandrinia plants
Calandrinias are drought-tolerant and will survive on very little water between watering. However, Calandrina spectabilis needs plenty of water in order to produce flowers – especially if planted indoors or in a sunny outdoor location where they can’t get much midday sunlight during certain parts of the year without it.
– Calandrinia should be watered when the soil is dry about two inches deep down into their roots; however, avoid overwatering them which causes root rot due to excess moisture (calendrinas have thick fleshy roots that quickly die off from being submerged for too long).
Tips
- calandrinia plants grown outdoors should not sit directly under an overhang so rain doesn’t collect on their leaves, which will cause them to rot. calandrinia plants should be grown in a good rain garden that has plenty of drainage space so they don’t sit under water for too long (calandrinias are sensitive and cannot withstand being overwatered).
- calandrinias need ample soil moisture to survive cold months indoors – this is particularly true during the winter when calandrinias won’t have any light from outside sources like sunlight; however, it’s important not to completely soak or drown calandrinia spectabilis because this can damage delicate roots and suffocate its crown.
- if growing outdoors near a window with morning sun exposure, then make sure you provide nighttime shade by covering them at nightfall since calandrinias are sensitive to frost.
Fertilizing
Calandrinia spectabilis care doesn’t require a lot of fertilizing because they’re drought-tolerant and able to grow in poor soil conditions. If fertilizer is applied, it should be offered once every few months during the growing season when calandrinia are actively producing flowers.
Calandrinia spectabilis flowering time can also be lengthened by pruning off all flower buds before new growth appears (this will force calandrinia to reallocate its energy towards creating more leaves rather than pushing out too many flowers).
Repotting
Calandrinia care requires that they be repotted every few years. They are heavy feeders and will need to be transplanted into a pot with more soil so they can continue growing at their peak condition.
If you notice your plant leaves drooping or the plant is producing fewer flowers, then this may mean that it needs to be re-potted into one with fresh, well-draining soil; however, make sure not to overwater them when doing this because their fleshy roots rot easily in soggy conditions.
Temperature and humidity
Calandrinia care should be sheltered from temperatures that are too hot or cold. They can survive in a wide range of environments, but it’s important to make sure they don’t get too much direct sunlight during midday hours without the cover of trees and shade-producing shrubs.
If you live in an area where Calandrinia plants may experience high heat at night, then provide nighttime protection by covering them with cloths so their delicate leaves don’t succumb to sunburn (Calandrinia thrives when the daytime temperature is between 60°F – 85°F).
Calandrinia prefers higher humidity levels than most other flowering plants and will need plenty of water in order to produce more flowers; however, avoid overwatering them in humid conditions because their roots rot easily.
Calandrinia should be grown near a window or vent that is open and close to the floor so it can accumulate more humidity while still getting plenty of sunlight during late morning hours.
Calandrinia care also includes providing enough space for them to grow into, which means they need ample room to breathe without being crowded by other plant leaves; however, don’t provide too much water either since this will make them weaker.
Pruning
Calandrinias care includes the need to prune off old, wilted leaves and new growth. They will produce more flowers when they are regularly trimmed back (this is best done in late winter before they bloom).
Calandrinia can only be transplanted every few years because their fleshy roots rot easily in soggy soil conditions. When transplanting them, make sure they get plenty of water afterward so their crown doesn’t dry out – this isn’t necessary if you’re planting the seeds or getting a small container from a nursery since its easier for these types of plantings not to become too potbound; however, whichever way you choose to grow your Calandrinia plants, their care still includes regular pruning for more flowers.
Hardiness zone
Calandrinia spectabilis is a hardy annual plant that can grow in USDA zones 3 through 9. It grows best when planted from seed, but calendula seeds may be difficult to find and are expensive. Additionally, calendula plants are not grown commercially as much as calandrinias because they have been found less attractive by the public due to their lack of showiness and vibrant colors.
Lifespan
Calendula plants live through the summer, calandrinia spectabilis can survive for up to three years. Calendulas are not as hardy and do not last past their first winter if planted in zones 4 or below.
Toxicity
The calendula plant is not toxic to animals, but it may cause minor skin irritation if eaten in large quantities. The calandrinia spectabilis has been found poisonous to sheep and other ruminants when consumed at high levels. This is because the plants contain an alkaloid called calandrinia A which can block the passage of materials from one part of the gut into another.
Calandra’s toxicity has led some countries such as Australia or New Zealand to outlaw harvesting calandrinias for sale or distribution unless they are specifically grown for human consumption.
The calandrinia spectabilis is not a toxic plant to humans but can cause contact dermatitis from the sap. Planting it next to other plants with similar sensitivities will avoid this problem. An overdose of oxalic acid in calandrinia leaves may increase their toxicity and should be limited.
Pests and Diseases
Calandrinia spectabilis are susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites.
