How to Grow and Care for Moss Rose (Portulaca)
Annual, Portulaca Grandiflora
If you live in a area of heat and drought, you will love growing Moss Rose.
Also commonly called Portulaca, this tough, yet pretty little plant, needs
little moisture to thrive and bloom. And, it grows well in heat, too.
Native to South America, Moss Rose, or Portulaca, is a hardy annual. It produces
vivid colored blooms in shades of rose, yellow, white, orange, red, purple
and pink. Blooms appear in early summer.
Moss Rose grows just four to six inches tall. Place it in the front of your
flower garden. Try planting Moss Rose as border edging, in
rock gardens, as bedding plants
or ground cover. They also look good in containers and hanging pots. They'll
be forgiving when you forget to water them.
Other Names include: Eleven O'Clock, Purslane, and Sun Plant
Portulaca seeds are edible raw or cooked. Seed can be ground up and put into
recipes, soups, and sauces.
Propagation:
Moss Rose are grown from seeds. Moss Rose seeds can be directly seeded into
your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. An early,
indoor start, translates into an earlier bloom. Sow seeds early in the season
and cover lightly with 1/8" of fine garden or seed starting soil.
Seeds germination period, requires one to two weeks. For indoor starts,
try a seedling germination mat.
Do not set out seedlings until after the last frost date your area. Plants
are susceptible to frost. Ideal plant spacing is ten inches apart.
Established plants can also be propagated by cuttings.
How to Grow Moss Rose Plants:
Moss Rose is easy to grow. Grow Moss Rose plants in full sun. Plants prefer
average to poor soils. They prefer loose, sandy or loam soil. A well draining
composition is important.
Moss Rose is drought and heart tolerant. In the flower garden, watering is
seldom needed. If growing in containers or hanging pots, allow the soil to
dry between watering. Add a general purpose, high nitrogen fertilizer
when first planting, to help them to get a good start. Add a high Phosphorous
fertilizer just before blooming. No other fertilizer applications should
be needed for the season.
Moss Rose produce tough, long lasting, rose-like blooms, in early summer.
Pinch or deadhead spent flowers to promote
more blooms.
Prune plants to create a fuller, neater appearance. Provide plenty of air
circulation through the plant to help avoid fungal disease.
Plants are annuals that are very susceptible to frost. Cover them up whenever
cold temperatures are expected.
Insect and Disease:
Aphids, gnats, and other insects can pose a problem. Treat with insecticide
or repellents, as needed. Snails and slugs can also be a problem. See
more on Snail and Slug Control.
Fungus diseases can occur. Use a general purpose fungicide in humid weather,
and when problems appear.
Stem and root rot can occur. This is a problem in wet soil. Avoid problems
by planting in sandy, or other well draining soil. A slightly elevated planting
bed also helps to avoid this problem.
More Information:
Buy Moss Rose seeds
Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow".
Tired of old black tube edging that keeps coming out of the ground? Envision
Edging is designed with a unique "J-lip" design, and 11" steel stakes, making
it almost impossible to pull out. Durable and long lasting, yet flexible.
In four Colors.
Browse now. |
