Zone 5 Portulaca grandiflora:If you don't mind I'll just get all these questions off my chest in one sitting

Question

(Let me just preface this question with some history: I live in an apartment, but crave to be outdoors as much as possible, so I plan ahead by making new friends who are in need of weekend gardeners in my area, so I can play in THEIR soil).

I've always assumed, (because my clients are cheap and I work for free), that annuals are a waste of money.

Then I read Chistopher Lloyd's" Succesion Planting for year-round Pleasure" over the spring season.

I was standing in front a $ table of plants at Lowes. Portulaca were in bloom. I purchased 10 plants. Loved what they did. I want more!

I collected seeds (and dug one up to bring into my apt., but its NOT flurishing).

I am wondering, here in zone 5, how do i start the seeds for next year? Can I sow directly? Do I need to buy grow lights? Will the seeds I let naturally fall to the ground winter over to make beauties for next year?

Thanks for endulging my questions.

Just don't tire yourself out, because I have tons of more ?'s

Answer 1

Ask away, doll!

Take cuttings. Lay cuttings on light potting soil, soiless soil (sphagnum or peat moss) water lightly, place in plastic storage (zip-type) bag. When you see new leaves, you have achieved rootage. Dirt. Beautiful!

Answer 2

Quick answers to your questions: Portulaca will self-sow, but many commercially available plants are hybrids, so the seedlings may not resemble the parent plants. Personally, I am fine with that adventurous aspect of gardening, but some people have a particular color scheme which may be upset by the self-sowing procedure. If your direct sow your seed, wait until after danger of frost has past and the soil has warmed up. Barely cover the seeds, and they should germinate in 1 to 2 weeks. You can also start the seeds indoors in late winter - mid-spring (Feb - April.) You have more control over the environment when you plant indoors, so sometimes I find better rates of germination when I sow indoors. Plant the seeds in moist potting soil or seed starter, barely covering and providing light. Grow lights are the best, but a good bright southern exposure would do.

Answer 3

I agree with Mod M.

I would just start with fresh seed. As other answerer's have stated Portulaca self seeds reliably. You will usually get a variety of colors. If you're looking to get one color, or a few colors of your choice, you're better off buying plants or seed.

It is fun to collect seed and start em. Sorry about being confined to an apartment. I've been there, done that. Hopefully you'll be free soon.

Annuals aren't a waste of money at all. I'm a big annual advocate. They are the tops for flower producing power! A couple flats of annuals in any landscape strongly increases it's appeal. Certainly spending $100's isn't wise... unless you've got the cash to use, but a little goes a long way.


What else have you got on your chest? I'd like to see.

Answer 4

Portulaca(often called moss rose) seeds are cheap(as are the plants) and easy to grow as long as they have direct sunlight more than 8 hours a day(for good plentiful blooms) I LOVE this hardy little plant it comes in a variety of HOT colors has several leaf densities as well as upright and trailing varieties...